Tuesday25thApril
Academic
Congratulations from the Physics Department to Aidan Vickers (S5), who was one of only 100 successful applicants for the Scottish Space School. He will spend a week in the summer at the University of Strathclyde. The programme for the week is made up of a mix of lectures, labs and workshops on a space theme and it is delivered by academics and researchers, as well as visiting NASA representatives. Following the week, 10 lucky pupils are chosen for a once in a lifetime visit to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Well done, Aidan!
Chemistry
For the first time in the history of the College, a pupil was entered into the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad competition.
This is the most challenging competition set by the RSC and is open nationally to pupils in sixth year in Scotland and sixth form in England. Very few Scottish pupils enter this competition.
Five and a half thousand pupils entered this year, with only four hundred of them considered good enough for a Gold Award.
Alexander Fruh (S6) achieved an exceptional score and as result, he gained a Gold Award. Congratulations, Alexander!
Maths
Well done to everybody who has participated in all the various Maths Competitions that have taken place to date this academic year.
In November twenty-five pupils, from across S4 to S6, took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates were obtained as follows and certificates have been distributed by maths teachers.
UKMT Senior Challenge – November 2016
Gold
Alexander Fruh(S6)– Best in School
Michael Dunn (S6)
Emily Kilgour (S6)
Silver
Andrew Harvie (S6)
Thomas Hearns (S4)
Bronze
Jennifer Docherty (S6)
Paul Graham (S6)
Kelvin Ng (S6)
Mark Campbell (S6)
Calum Whyte (S5)
Georgia Dunn (S4)
Many of these pupils secured sponsors from friends and family for correct answers and as a result raised £400 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity. A tremendous achievement!
The ‘Best in School’ award was won by Alexander Fruh (S6). He went on to qualify for the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 and then the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 2, obtaining Distinctions in both of these prestigious competitions. Michael Dunn (S6) also qualified for the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 and performed extremely well.Both were presented with prizes at assembly.
Book prizes and certificates were also awarded to Best in each year group, Calum Whyte (S5) and Thomas Hearns(S4).
Alexander and Michael also formed part of a team of four which entered the Senior Team Challenge. The team excelled and achieved 3rd place out of 30 teams in the west of Scotland heat. The other two team members were Ciara Brennan (S5) and Hannah Berry (S5)who were also presented with their certificates.
Emily Kilgour (S6) took part in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls and secured a distinction and so Emily was also presented with an award at assembly.
Turning now to the Intermediate Challenge which took place in February and was tackled by 96 pupils from S2 to S4. ‘Best in School’ was achieved by Jaxon McMenemy (S3) and the Headmaster will award him with his prize.
Best in S4: Patrick Norris
Best in S2: Olivia Mathias
UKMT Intermediate Challenge – February 2017
Silver
Patrick Norris (S4)
Jaxon McMenemey (S3) – Best in School
Anthony Thompson (S3)
Ciara Spratt (S3)
Bronze
Ava Mullan (S4)
Max Murie(S4)
Dominic McCarron(S4)
Brogan Kearney(S4)
Finn Stockwell(S4)
RochTyczynski(S4)
Ryan Duffy(S4)
Thomas Hearns(S4)
Christopher Clark (S3)
Josh Devine(S3)
Daniel Norris(S3)
Calum Wilson(S3)
Olivia Mathias (S2)
Charlotte Norton(S2)
Jamie McEntegart(S2)
Many of our S1 and S2 pupils will be sitting the Junior Maths Challenge and all the teachers in the maths department would like to wish them every success. It’s a fact that pupils who take part in the maths challenges do better in all their maths exams. If you would like to take part there are still a few places left, please send me a message via Schoology. Good luck to everyone!
Colours
Congratulations to a number of senior pupils who are awarded Colours for various sporting endeavours. It takes a huge amount of dedicated effort as well as God-given talent to reach this high level of achievement.
5KDICKSON, BaileyClimbing
5BGALLAGHER, NathanClimbing
5BCAMERON, KieranFootball
6WCLARK, LaurenceFootball
5BGALLAGHER, NathanFootball
6NHUGHES, Michael JFootball
5HJANNETTA, EnricoFootball
5BMCLEAN, BrianFootball
5MMULLEN, ChristopherFootball
5BCAMPBELL, ErinHockey
5SDALY, NiamhHockey
5SHILLIER, MariaHockey
5BKEAN, ClaraghHockey
5KKELLY, SarahHockey
5KMCCOMISH, Erin MHockey
5KMONAGHAN, LaraHockey
5HO'BRIEN, Josephine AHockey
5BANDREW, FergusRugby
5NCAMPBELL, LouisRugby
5MDUFFY, MaxRugby
5BJACK, LukeRugby
5MKELLY, JoshuaRugby
5MLYNAS, ChristopherRugby
5SMCALLISTER, NicholasRugby
5KMCCOURTNEY, MarkRugby
5KSUTHERLAND, NicholasRugby
We also recognise pupils who have selflessly given up their time and energy to help others. For outstanding service to the Justice and Peace Society, we award an Honours Tie for Service to:
5KKELLY, EveJustice and Peace Society
5KSAUNDERS, Anna-Louise Justice and Peace Society
6KSCIALLO, Johnathan D Justice and Peace Society
Finally, we have two exceptional footballers in Fourth Year. We do not normally award Colours below 5th year, but in recognition of their representing the Independent Schools of Scotland at football, we award colours to:
4HSTAFFORD, Christopher JColoursFootball (Representing SISFA)
4BVEZZA, Gian LucaColoursFootball (Representing SISFA)
Pompeii Trip
Reflection
Leon O’Brien (S3)
During the recent Easter break, about 40 of the College community had a fantastic trip to Pompeii organised by the Classics Department. We flew out to Rome and then travelled down to Sorrento which was to be our base for the next 5 action-packed days.
Our first visit was to Monte Cassino, where we visited the historic Benedictine abbey.
On our second day, we visited the volcanic site of Solfatara and Sybil's Cave. The Sibyl’s cave was the site of an ancient oracle who was able to give answers to suppliants’ questions in return for money.
On our third day, we climbed Vesuvius which was more tiring a climb for some than others. At the top of Vesuvius, as well as peering down into the crater itself, we had a panoramic vista of Naples. At Herculaneum, we explored the ruins of the town and were transported back in time.
On our fourth day, we visited Paestum, an ancient city built by the Greeks, and on the fifth day, the highlight of the trip, was the visit to Pompeii itself. It was great to be able to wander around this site and view life as they did 2000 years ago. In fact, it brought to life the Latin textbooks we have been studying.
The trip was not just about visiting ancient sites but getting to know others from across St Aloysius’ College. We were able to explore Sorrento by night and enjoy each other’s company. The weather was so good that we were even able to wear shorts, much to the amusement of the Italians.
The trip was not long enough and was just a taster for me. I will be going back again one day. I just want to thank all my fellow travellers but especially the Classics Department – Mr Baker and Mrs McLeod, as well as Miss Lawrie, and Mr Fitzpatrick for such a fantastic experience. I know that we were all great ambassadors for the College on that trip. I would highly recommend this experience to others.
St. Aloysius’ College Celebrating Success