The evening of Wednesday 15 May 2013 saw the Zumbathon, an event organised to help raise funds for the staff of Elgin Academy who are taking part in the Moonwalk in Edinburgh during the night of Saturday 8 June to raise funds for breast cancer charities. Many people zumba-ed the night away, including pupils, staff, parents and members of the community. The sum raised on the night was £500 – a fantastic outcome. If you weren’t able to come on the night, but would like to contribute, please visit the fundraising page: http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/elgin_bracademy

Thanks go to Mrs Susan Taylor, PT Guidance and Zumba instructor par excellence, who led the whole evening in considerable style, and to everyone who took part. Thank you all very much.

Students and parents are reminded that, in line with all Moray secondary schools, the school will be closed to students (other than those sitting SQA exams) for in-service training on Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Monday 20 May 2013.

The S1-S3 timetable changed on Tuesday 7^th May.  This is somewhat earlier than in previous years (normally the timetable changes in the last week in May immediately following the ‘Activity Days’).  However, given the new structures we have had to put in place and the new qualifications (National 4 & National 5) in S4, it was felt that the extra time would be highly beneficial. In S3 all students have been able to ‘personalise their courses’ as they had wished whilst for S4, the vast majority of students received all their choices. A ‘College Day’ (Wednesday) has been put in place for students in S4-S6. Those who opted for ‘College’ will begin their courses in August.  However, as they selected a school course in case their application to College was unsuccessful, they will continue with this subject until the summer. The S5-S6 choices are in the process of being  finalised and students will be issued with timetables on their return to school.

A letter sent to parents/carers asking for views on the wearing of blazers by S4 and S5 as well as the Senior tie by S4 students is below. A consultation is now in progress and anyone with views are asked to make them known to the Head Teacher by Friday 10th May.

Letter re Consultation re blazers for S3 4 5 -29.4.13

As part of their French curriculum and thanks to our links with our local partner, the Mansion House Hotel, all S1 pupils recently took part in a brochure competition. It all started back in November when all S1 classes were given a tour of the hotel so they could relate all their learning in French with a real place of work. This culminated in the publication of a brochure for the French guests staying at the hotel. After weeks of preparation and selections at class level, 8 finalist teams presented their brochure to a panel of judges comprising of Mrs Grant (DHT), Mrs Lee (Art), Mr McAvenue (French/PE) and Kirsty Smailes (AH French). The panel were impressed by the quality of the brochures and the presentation techniques used. The winning participants are Finlay Pender, Kirsty Berril, Meg Scott, Bailey Mone, Evan Sutherland, and Martin Keith. They have each been awarded a swim and lunch voucher by the management at the Mansion House.