Congratulations!

Well done to Miss Murray, Mr Gilmour and Mr Millar for their recent 10k success.

G T Urie 

To all S4, S5 and S6 pupils

In the attached document you will find a comprehensive list to make you more aware of the supported study available to you at lunchtime and after school.  It is up to you to take full advantage of this free advice and support on offer as it could make a difference to your performance in the forthcoming SQA examinations in May /June 2012.  'Supported Study Sessions - 2012'

Well done to the three Hermitage Academy pupils who scooped top awards at the Community Spirits Awards ceremony on Monday Night

Lauren Averell - Sports Person of the Year

John- Anthony Graham - Musician of the Year

Emily Hayes - Young Achiever of the Year

Well done also to the many pupils who were runners-up in a variety of categories.

Active Schools Survey

Could all pupils please take 5 minutes to complete this survey.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG9IekpuQ1BUYlFJWDVPU2VHbkFkUVE6MQ#gid=0

This survey is aimed at increasing the opportunities for Hermitage Academy pupils to get more active.

Thank you for your time

Sean McNee (Active Schools Coordinator)

Hermitage Academy - A Guide to Curriculum for Excellence

“Much has been made in the media recently about the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence. In the attached newsletter – A Guide to Curriculum for Excellence – read about the positive changes the new curriculum will bring to the education of the young people at Hermitage Academy.”

Lucy Elliott - Scottish Table Tennis Champion (x 2)

Congratulations to Lucy Elliott who became the first person in eleven years to win both the Under 18 and Under 15 Scottish Girls' Table Tennis Championships. Lucy who is 13 is in S2 has produced some fabulous results this year. As a result of these performances Lucy has been selected to compete in the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games in London in May. The last day of these games will take place in the Olympic Park, with a total of 12 sports, around 1650 competitors and about 30,000 spectators.

World Schools Ski Championships 2-10 March 2012

Aosta Valley – Italy

Four Pupils from Hermitage Academy have been selected to represent Scotland in the World Schools Ski Championships which are taking place in March. The pupils are Laura Jackson, Rhona Price, Euan Kick and Graeme Price. Hermitage Academy has the most pupils selected from any state school in Scotland. The team will take part in ski races but will also enjoy cultural activities with students from all over the world.

Headteacher, Geoff Urie, said “ I was delighted to learn that Hermitage Academy  was so well represented in the squad. I am sure all four will do really well and will thoroughly enjoy the experience”.

 National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland

 Eleanor Grant and Angus Butt of Hermitage Academy have recently returned from a preliminary rehearsal with the prestigious National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland. Eleanor of S2 is enjoying her 2^nd year as a violinist with the orchestra and Angus of S1, who plays Bass Trombone, his first year.  The week of the course is from 10th to 16th of April in Strathallan School in Perthshire. Both pupils are very excited and are looking forward to the opportunity to perform alongside gifted musicians from all over Scotland. Concerts are in Perth Concert Hall on 15th April and Paisley Abbey on 16th April and the music they will perform includes movements from L'Arlesienne Suite by Bizet, Concerto in D minor for 2 pianos by Poulenc and Symphony no 5 in F op76 by Dvorak. This is a wonderful achievement for these two talented young musicians and all at Hermitage Academy wish them well for their forthcoming rehearsals and concerts.

On the crest of a wave !

The school was delighted to learn that former pupil Luke Patience has been selected to represent GB in the London Olympics in the summer. Luke and his crew Stuart Bithell, qualified as a result of their silver medal performance at the World Championships in Perth, Australia.

We are hoping that Luke will be able to emulate another former Hermitage Academy pupil, Mike McIntyre who won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Mike McIntyre first competed in the Olympics in 1984 and finished seventh in the Finn Class. On his second Olympic appearance in 1988 he partnered Philip Vaile in the Star class and after a desperately close contest they won the gold medals. In Seoul, Vaile and McIntyre needed to win the final race and the Americans Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel had to finish in worse than sixth place if the British pair were to win the title. Vaile and McIntyre succeeded in winning the race and as the Americans were forced to retire with a broken mast the gold medals went to Britain. Mike was the British champion in the Finn class in 1980, 1981 and 1984 and is a member of the Helensburgh Sailing Club and the Bosham Sailing Club.

The school has a strong record in sailing with Emma Richards MBE and Stephen Park OBE also amongst former pupils who have excelled in Sailing.

Emma Richards became the first British woman and youngest ever person to complete the Around Alone race, a 29,000 mile, single-handed round the world yacht race with stops.

Stephen Park, was the man who led Britain’s sailing team to their record-breaking medal haul at the Beijing Olympic Games. Stephen was at the team’s management helm for the second consecutive Olympic Games, overseeing Britain’s most successful ever Olympic sailing campaign in China with his charges winning six medals – four golds, one silver and one bronze – to add to their clutch of five medals from the Athens Games four years previously. Stephen Park OBE, is the RYA Olympic Manager responsible for delivering winning performances at the 2012 Olympics in London and he is one of sailings, and in fact UK sports, most decorated performance directors with 6 medals (including 4 gold’s)secured by his team at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Currently Hermitage Academy are the Scottish Schools Sailing Champions having won the Brown Cup last June. One of the S5 pupils Alan McIntosh is currently British Youth Junior Champion. Jennifer Abraham, one of the winning Brown Cup team was delighted to hear the news about Luke and said "It gives us real inspiration to see what opportunties sailing can bring".

The school sailors are currently using the school fitness suite to get themselves fully prepared for the season ahead. New Sports Coordinator, Sean McNee, has put together a programme for each of the sailors to follow and is very pleased with their dedication and committment.

Headteacher, Geoff Urie, said that he was delighted to hear of Luke's selection and is sure the whole school will be supporting him and following his progress. He was also delighted to hear of another Hermitage "Star"- recently retired (early) Modern Languages Teacher Mrs Joyce McEwan, who will be heading to the Olympics in her capacity as a Volunteer Assistant, where no doubt her languages will be of great help. We wish her well.

 G.T. Urie       Headteacher

 Hermitage Academy on Twitter

The school now has a Twitter account to keep parents, pupils and staff up to date in terms of weather, transport and possible closures.

Follow us on Twitter     @ HermitageAcad

 Clan Elections Results

 The Clan elections were held today and the results are as follows

Nominations for the Hermitage Academy  Hall of Fame

 The Hermitage Academy Hall of Fame has been established to recognise the achievements of our pupils. A Hall of Fame Board has been created and this will carry the names of pupils or former pupils who have “brought outstanding recognition to the school, during their time in school or in their achievements after they have left”. These achievements would normally be at international level or be sector leading in their area of expertise.

Nominations should include the name of the person, the year they left school (if known), list of achievements, your name and contact details.

Nominations should be sent to Mr G. T. Urie Headteacher. These can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

School Opening Times

Parents and pupils are reminded that the school buildings open at 8.30am. The reason for this is that cleaning takes place in the corridors, stairs. toilets and other areas, up until that time. Therefore for Health and Safety reasons (wet floors, trailing cables, access to toilets etc), pupils should plan to arrive at the school not earlier than 8.30am.

 School of Champions

  If you want to know more about Hermitage being a School of Champions (click here)

Website Calendar

The Website Calendar has now been updated with holidays, staff development days and Parents' meetings. Other items to follow. 

 * * * *  Important Information  * * * *   

School Holidays 2011 - 2012 (Click here)

School Holidays 2012 - 2013 (Click here)

Curriculum for Excellence FAQ's (Click here)

 School News Update

Please check the pull down menu for the latest news from Hermitage Academy