Rector
No sign of a wind-down as the term approaches its close: athletics heats, full programme of cricket fixtures on Saturday, Art and Design Technology Exhibitions just ahead. On top of that, we had wonderful music this weekend, including a most stylish performance by the Chamber Choir on Friday, Piping and Drumming Competitions at Loretto on Sunday, and then on Sunday evening, the Choral Concert in St Stephen’s Centre. Thanks as always to the huge number of pupils and Choral Society members who take part in these activities and who get so much out of them, and special thanks to the teachers who ask and achieve such good standards. A special mention in this instance must go to Michael Gray and Jakob Jorgensen, our Piping and Drumming specialists, and to Peter Backhouse who assembled a huge choir, a fine orchestra and wonderful soloists to create a sound and an occasion to be remembered. He himself gave the evening his personal accolade: “It was quite good” John Light |
Headteacher
Just like all the Primary 1 – 3 boys and girls racing towards the finish line at their Sports Day on Friday, we are all racing towards the end of term and the start of the summer holidays! There is a lot to pack in over these last ten days and I appreciate that many of you will have very full diaries as a result. Thank you, once again, for all your wonderful support for all the different school events which have been happening of late, and for those still to come. The Early Years Sports Day was indeed a great success, held in glorious sunshine and great enjoyment was had by all. The African Children’s Choir arrive on Tuesday and we hope that they will be able to give a short rendition of their repertoire on Wednesday morning at 8.40am – a last minute ‘plug’ for their concert on Wednesday evening! One of the highlights of the school calendar is definitely the Primary 6 musical, and we are all very much looking forward to Aladdin, which has been masterfully put together by Mrs Russell and Mr Dickenson, for whom this is his very last show! If any of you, would like to show your appreciation for all the work Mr Dickenson has done for the Junior School over the past 13 years, we are collecting contributions to his leaving gift in the Junior School office. Caroline Bashford, Headteacher |
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Reviews
Third Year PlayMacbeth and the Rebels’ Plot For his first school play, Christopher Turley gave himself and his young cast quite a challenge. That they not only pulled it off, but provided the enthralled audience with a hugely entertaining evening, was due largely to their combined dedication and talents as an ensemble. With thirty-five scenes and a split stage, the audience had to be on their toes to keep up with the parallel plots, excerpts from Macbeth and intrigues within the King’s Men. It is the spring of 1606, and the King’s Men are about to start rehearsals for a new tragedy, Macbeth, at the Globe Theatre. Just across the river, the tortures and trials of the alleged Powder Plot conspirators continue. Playwright, John O’Connor presents a powerful re-creation of these two simultaneous events – and a wonderful introduction to ‘The Scottish Play’. The most riveting scenes are probably those in which we see Macbeth being rehearsed and then the text discussed by the actors, in relation to the Powder Plot trials. Freddie Thomson and Kieran Baker are Richard Burbage and Samuel Gilburne, who play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. We see them rehearsing some of the most memorable scenes from Shakespeare so convincingly that we want them to go on. Indeed, Kieran’s Lady M was delivered with great strength, understanding and menace. But O’Connor’s purpose is not only to bring a human element to the proceedings but also to get the actors and audience involved in dissecting the components and characters of his great tragedy, and so we are tantalised by snippets and then made to ponder their relevance and dramatic power. It’s a really rewarding experience. The young cast brought Shakespeare and the King’s Men alive and we really enjoyed the way in which they revelled in WS’s words and conundrums. Many of the cast have only a few lines in which to establish their characters and with the help of an array of bright and evocative costumes this was achieved with great authority. Most the action takes place backstage at the Globe and in the adjoining actors’ haunt The Mermaid tavern and the atmosphere in both of these settings was clearly and cleverly evoked by simple staging ideas and lighting. Macbeth and The Powder Plot both end with executions and as we reach the climax of the drama, the plots intertwine more and more so that when Father Henry Garnet’s head is mounted on a pole and Macduff (gallantly played by Angus Lutton) enters with the slain King’s head, the audience may be forgiven for a moment of deja-vu. As O’Connor points out in his stage directions, the audience in the Globe would certainly make the connection and heed the warning so clearly dramatised by WS. And that is a nice touch in the play, we never see WS, but his presence pervades the whole – and did he, or did he not, play the Third Murderer ? Congratulations, Mr Turley; welcome to the Director’s chair. You look settled in it already! GM Trotter Pipes & Drums – Scottish Schools CompetitionThe Edinburgh Academy Pipes & Drums had a successful day at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, held at Loretto School on Sunday 15th June. The boys and girls in the band have shown solid commitment and dedication in the recent weeks leading up to the event and the improvements made by the band have been excellent. Although the band did not achieve the usual top three placing, there were some excellent prizes won. The drum corps came second in the contest for the “Best Drum Corps” prize, closely beaten by a strong Dollar corps for the second year in a row. The band was pleased also to receive the first prize for “Dress & deportment”, a prize which has been won by the Edinburgh Academy Pipe Band many years in a row. Also in the solo competitions the Edinburgh Academy was well represented in the prizes. Graham Inglis and Jack Davis, Pipe Major and Leading Drummer of the pipe band, took the top awards of the day by winning the Senior Piping and Senior Drumming respectively – an outstanding achievement for both of these excellent musicians. Fergus Nimmo came in first place in the Junior Drumming, playing at the competition for the first time, and Christopher Seaman received a very respectable second prize in the Intermediate Drumming. Finally, Edward Seaman and Christopher Allan both won the Dress and Deportment prize in their respective events – it is always nice to see the boys looking smart and taking pride in wearing their uniform. Huge congratulations to the prize winners and thank you to all band members and soloists for their contribution to a very successful Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship. Parents Association
Rector's RetirementFor those of you who did not receive my letter, to mark the Rector's retirement the Parents’ Association will not for once be holding a champagne reception or organising a collection for a gift. Instead at our suggestion, and with his specific approval, those of you who wish to mark your appreciation of his dedication and contribution to the school over the last decade and more are invited to make a donation to the Bursary Fund, a cause close to the Rector's heart (and one to which he has been contributing personally for the last ten years). To start the ball rolling the Parents’ Association will be donating £250. If you wish to make a donation please send it to the Senior or Junior School office in an envelope clearly marked for the attention of the Parents’ Association. All cheques should be made payable to the Edinburgh Academy Foundation. Many thanks. Tory Craig Setting Up Big PicnicHelp Needed! If you can spare us some time, please could you help us put up bunting on Thursday 19th June 5pm, and gazebos on Friday 20th June 5pm. Many hands etc... Any queries contact Tory Craig. Buskers Wanted for Big Picnic!We thought some musical interludes at the Big Picnic would sooth the fevered brows. Any young musician who would like to busk for a short period to raise money for the school should contact me, confirming their name age and instrument, and I will then draw up a timetable of volunteers. Busking slots will be c15 mins. Contact Tory Craig 07745 130987 torylintoncraig@aol.com Fund raising the really easy way!www.easyfundraising.org.uk EAPFA have registered with this website and now you can help us make money by just shopping online at no extra cost to yourself. And if you register and shop before the end of June you will go in to an easyfundraising prize draw every time you make a purchase - this time to win a Manchester United Shirt signed by 10 players. Just register on the website as an EAPFA supporter, and then shop online in your usual way (there are 500+ retailers e.g. Amazon, John Lewis, Boden, ITunes, Game etc) and those retailers will pay us either a small percentage of your total spend with them or a one off donation - but you just pay the same as you normally would-and some even have special offers for registered supporters. So please have a look at the website - it's an effortless way for you to help without even leaving your chair! Any queries contact Tory Craig. Parents Assoc AGM - Seminar on Internet Safety10th September 2008 - 7pm in the Main Hall, Henderson Row Our AGM will take place this year on 10th September at 7pm. All are very welcome especially those parents new to the school. The formal business of the AGM will be (very!) brief, and after an interlude for wine and nibbles will be immediately followed, at around 7.30pm, by a seminar on Internet Safety, highly recommended for parents of pupils of all ages, junior and senior, girls and boys. It will be presented by Anne Darling who is Development Officer for Child Protection for the City of Edinburgh. She was involved in the development of the Keeping Myself Safe programme and is very knowledgeable generally on matters of internet safety. If you would like to come to the AGM and/or seminar please email parentsassoc What's On?
The 150th Academy GamesSaturday 21st June 10.00am The 150th Academy Games takes place this Saturday 21st June at Arboretum (the Junior School sports ground) - the oldest school sports in the world. Start time is 10.00am with the school pipe band followed by the first race at 10.15am. Pupils compete at Under 13,14,15,17 and Open levels for their Divisions. The pupils have had heats to qualify for running events over the last two weeks and have qualified for field events during PE lessons. There will also be visitors’ races, events for Academicals, tug of war and the Arboretum handicap a 6x200m relay handicapped by age and ability. All athletes would welcome your support. The Big PicnicSaturday 21st June 10am - 2.30pm Junior School, Arboretum Row Alongside the Academy Games. So You Think You Know What the Big Picnic Is Like? Think Again! The Calcutta Cup is coming to the Big Picnic - have your photo taken with it (10.30-12.30)! AND... - Pony Rides - Inflatable Assault Course and 24 foot Climbing Wall (we hope!) - Fire engine visit - Soak the Teacher - wait till you see who has 'volunteered' ! AND lots of other games - splat the rat, beat the goalie and more AND things - to do and make - arts and crafts, tombola, chocolate fountain - to buy - books, bikes, plants, bric a brac, toys, home baking, - to eat and drink - paella, burgers, ice cream, strawberries and fizz, Brodies coffee and tea, cold drinks. BE THERE! NB. There will be no on site parking, and as our events coincide with Stewart Melville's Sports Day at Inverleith, parking may be a little difficult - so come early and stay all day! Edinburgh Academy Pipes and Drums Family Reels NightSaturday 27th September 2008 An evening for all members of the school community, families and friends. Further details next term. EA Summer Rugby CourseFinal chance to sign up! Open to all EA pupils from the current P3 to the current 5ths. Monday 11th August to Friday 15th August 10am to 3pm each day. Cost £90 per person. Free gift included. Cheques to be payable to Mike Allingham. To book a place contact Mike Allingham on 624 4959 or mjga@edinburghacademy.org.uk Edinburgh Academicals Cricket ClubSummer Cricket Coaching Camp Monday 7th July To Friday 11th July 9am To 12pm at the Edinburgh Academy Sports Grounds, Newfield, Kinnear Road For children (boys and girls) between the ages of 5 and 15, Edinburgh Academicals are offering their summer coaching camp again this year. It is open to all children, whether they are members of the cricket club or not, and it is to all levels of cricketing experience. Our highly skilled coaches, led by Matthew Williamson, Cricket Australia level 2 coach will be providing a programme that is both fun and that will improve the cricketing skills of all of those who attend, not just technically but in tactical awareness as well. For those who are already members of the club and regularly attend the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon sessions with Matthew and Mick Raso, the club’s overseas players for 2008, this will be an opportunity to further develop the skills already taught by Matthew and Mick. For those who are new to the “Accies”, it will be an opportunity to learn new skills, and most importantly to have some fun. The courses will be run in separate groups, split out according to age groups and abilities. For anyone who is interested in attending the camp, please send an email to the Edinburgh Academicals Junior Convenor, Mike Thomson, at mike@acciescricket.co.uk , with the subject line “EACC Summer Camp” or alternatively call him on 07875 392 210. You can also visit the club’s website, www.acciescricket.co.uk for more details. This year the cost will be £70 for the week, or £15 per day for those who cannot make all five days. Cheques to be made payable to “EACC” and sent to Mike Thomson, EACC, 5/4 Royal Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 6PZ or handed to the coaches on the first day of the course.
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Notices
After School ActivitiesPlease note that Board Games on Wednesday 18th June and Gardening on Thursday 19th June have been cancelled. End of TermThere will be no after school activities at the Junior School on Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th or Wednesday 25th June. Please note that on Wednesday 25th June, P1/2 finish at 12noon. P3-6 finish as normal at 3.25pm Mackenzie House After School Club will operate from 12noon till 6pm. Prior booking for all these days is essential. If you have not received a booking form for this already and need to book, please contact Shelagh Sharp on 624 4908, or afterschool@edinburghacademy.org.uk There is no After School care on Thursday 26th June, the day of the Exhibition. Holiday ClubThe Junior School Holiday Club will run in Denham Green from Monday 30th June till Friday 15th August. If you wish to book a place for your child, please contact S. Sharp on 624 4908 or afterschool@edinburghacademy.org.uk There will be a final News Sheet next week. Car Parking for Senior School ExhibitionParents attending the Exhibition on Friday 27 June are reminded that a limited number of parking spaces will be available in the school yards from 9.00 am. Anyone needing assistance to get into the St Stephen’s Centre or requiring a reserved, disabled parking place at Henderson Row should contact Dr Blackmore via the School Office before Friday 20 June. Edinburgh Young Scot CardA youth information and discount initiative for young people aged 11-18. Application forms available from the Senior School Office. For more information contact : info@edinburghyoungscot.org or check website: wwwedinburghyoungscot.org Beating Retreat DVDThe Scottish Schools Combined Cadet Forces Massed Pipes & Drums Beating Retreat Ceremony was held on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle on Wed 21 May; the Edinburgh Academy CCF hosted the event. A DVD of the retreat was made: anyone who would like a copy should inform Capt Burnett at the Academy by Monday 23 June, and a bulk order will then be placed. Each DVD will cost £10.00; a disc with photographs will also be included. Cheques to be made payable to The Edinburgh Academy CCF. Careers LibraryOpen Days coming up: 19 June - University of Glasgow 20 June - University of Edinburgh 21 June - University of Wolverhampton 24 June - University of Durham (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) 25 June - Northumbria University, Manchester Metropolitan University (Cheshire sites) 26/27 June - University of Birmingham 27 June - University of Nottingham The Edinburgh Academy Ball 2008There are only two tables left for this year's Edinburgh Academy Ball to be held on Friday 7th November at the Assembly Rooms in George Street. If you are interested in coming along please contact Sally Spilsbury at sallyspils@btinternet.com or telephone 0131 552 4942. Hosts/hostesses please note that final payment for the Ball is due by 20th June. Cheques should be made payable to The Edinburgh Academy Ball and sent to Sally at 24 Netherby Road, Edinburgh. Tickets are £70 per person and tables are of 10. We need advance payment to cover costs for band, catering and venue which have been booked already. There are also opportunities for sponsorship and if you are interested in promoting your company or business at this prestigious event please contact Lara Thompson at lnmbc.thompson@btinternet.com . There will only be one fundraising event at the ball, a Grand Draw, where we have made a conscious decision to limit the number of items available to give those that generously donate more presence-please contact Lara if you would like to be involved. The Ball Committee Bookshop NewsCongratulations to those Academy pupils who earned merit prizes! The shop has been very busy at break times with excited pupils coming along to spend their Blackwell Gift Vouchers. The Bookshop will remain open to parents, staff and students until Wednesday 18th June where there are still some great end-of-term bargains. We have Parker roller ball pens at £3.00 each, frixion pen sets with 2 free refills at £3.89, and the filled "SuperGrip" exam approved pencil cases - an ideal back-to-school basic! We also have the larger arch lever files in discontinued colours at just 99p each! Blackwell are very proud to stock Gill Arbuthnott's latest best-selling children's book, "Mad Scientists". Parents have wisely been snapping them up but we have a few signed copies left. If you miss out on the chance, our Flagship Blackwell store at South Bridge will be carrying Gill's book throughout the summer if you fancy a good summer read! Wishing you all a well-earned sun-soaked summer holiday, Pamela Thomson, Manager, Blackwell Bookshop Sport
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