iPads!

Here is what some of the pupils are saying about the iPads so far:

It makes homework and work in class more enjoyable. Jonathan

It's pure awesome. It's the size of a book but it can do a million things! Zander

Magical! It helps in all subjects especially art. It makes all of school more interesting. Beth

It makes homework much easier to do and so much easier to submit - you can do it all through email... it's just very exciting! Chloe

Inspired by Andrea Bocelli in Senior Assembly

In Senior assembly today, Miss Rukin told the story of Andrea Bocelli's astonishing successes as a tenor. Most well known for 'The Prayer' in which he dueted with Celine Dion, Bocelli is a critically acclaimed, high achiever in the classical music charts across the world. Pupils heard how Bocelli, born with congenital glaucoma, was blinded at 12 after a soccer accident. Bocelli over came all odds, putting himself through university by singing in piano bars, becoming a lawyer before embarking upon his professional singing career. Pupils were encouraged to overcome any difficulties they might face, however big or small, through determination and hardwork. This ties in very closely with our school motto- Perseqor ad bravium- which means 'press on towards the prize.'

iPad Information Evening

Tonight we are holding an information evening for parents and friends of the school to present the iPad and demonstrate how it is already transforming the teaching and learning in our school. There has been an enormous interest in the project locally, nationally and even internationally. We welcome the opportunity to present this very exciting development to the parents and friends of the school. Tonight Mr Speirs, who has been at the forefront of this project is presenting an introduction to the iPad and talking about the great things the children have done already. Afterwards we are giving the parents the opportunity to have a hands-on experience of the iPad. We had about 50 parents and friends and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.





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Primary Assembly

In primary assemblies this week we were finding out about Andreas Boccelli who overcame blindness from the age of 11 to become a leading singer who has now sold more than 70 million albums world wide. We were also hearing about Daniel from the Bible and how he obeyed God and God looked after him.


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iPad impact- end of week 2

The iPads have made a much bigger impact than any of us envisaged! In the secondary department, the immediacy of internet access means pupils can search quickly for answers online to questions they have, share them with the class via email, and send their drafts to the teacher for feedback- all in the space of minutes. As well as improving their word processing and internet skills, pupils are increasingly interactive in the learning environment, as we all get to grips with the possibilities presented by 1:1 iPad deployment.

Here are some of S4 and S5's comments at the end of week 2: (sent to me via their iPads of course;)



The iPads have become invaluable to my educational experience. They help greatly with making sure our homework is on time and the ability to go on the Internet whenever you want in class to find out facts is very helpful. We have used the apps in all our classes. There are apps especially for drama, art, modern studies, English, biology, history, geography and maths. It's also helpful to be able to email our homework to our teachers. Also we have seriously cut down on paper!!

S5 student.


The ipad is the best thing that has ever happened in my school years. This is because I can sit at home on my couch with my iPad instead of sitting at a table with a pen and paper! Also When I am finished I don't need to worry about losing it because I can just send it to my teachers.
S4 boy.

The iPad has helped all pupils learn in a fun and easy way. Pupils can now send homework to teacher from home via email.
S4 pupil

Hi
I have found that using the ipads have greatly increased my ability to produce better homework, and to work more animatedly in school than before, there are many educational apps on it to help me during class such as course notes and a very quick and easy to use e-mail system. Also the school had saved a lot of money on paper, which in turn will save the rain forests and the environment.

From S5 Student

The iPad has made lessons much more exciting, and it also has various educational apps - for example boggle, we also have many art apps that helps us with our drawing skills. It also benefits the children who don't have internet at home.
S4 :)


The iPad has made lessons much more exciting, and it also has various educational
apps - for example boggle, we also have many art apps that helps us with our drawing
skills. It also benefits the children who don't have internet at home.
S4 girl :)

Secondary Assemblies: Diversity

A many of you will know, we have changed the structure of the secondary assemblies this year, and are using Mnday, Wednesday and Friday's as Guidance classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Senior School have assembly. Tuesdays will cover aspects of the RME course, and on Thursdays pupils will learn about diversity.

This term, we are broadening our understanding of disabilities and their impact on individuals and communities.

Miss Oakley took yesterday's assembly and spoke about autism and aspergers. She displayed some of the work done by artist, Peter Howsen, and discussed the bipoic film, which details Temple Grandin's struggle to overcome the difficulties facing her as someone with autism, nd shows how she went on to become a top scientist in the humane livestock industry.

Lunch

We always have exciting lunches at Cedars and today it's asparagus risotto.


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In the Press

Today Cedars School featured in the Daily Record with an article about our use of iPads in the classroom. P1 were the models for the photos and they are all looking very busy (but very cute!) playing games and learning their numbers and letters on the iPads.

Well done P1!

Medical Training

This afternoon the staff were receiving training in administering medication to children with various medical conditions. We were pleased to have two representatives from the school health team to train in important techniques and medication.





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Fishing Day 1

Today we has a fantastic start to the fishing block for 2010. The weather was glorious and we arrived at Ardgowan fisheries with a new group of fishermen, and fishergirls! The only thing missing from a perfect days fishing was... a fish! Hopefully we will make up for this in future weeks. :)

Mr J





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Welcome to a New Year at Cedars School!

We are now back at school to start a whole new year. All the children seem to have spent the summer in very exciting places and doing very exciting activities. Hopefully this year in school will be just as interesting. When we arrived back on Monday it was to the most eagerly anticipated first day of a school year in history. This was due to one thing... iPads!
Cedars school has this year become the first school we are aware of to roll out a 1:1 deployment of iPads to every pupil from P1-S5. This development will be a massive boost for the education of the children in todays technological environment. It has also attracted a great deal of interest in the local press. We have to thank Mr Speirs, who teaches computing in the school, for all his hard work over the summer to enable a smooth introduction of the iPads.
Keep checking here, and on the other blogs, for details and updates on the use of the iPad across Cedars School!

Mr J

House Championship!

Congratulations to Lyle who won the house championship this year and enjoyed a super day out to Xscape and the Big Adventure.

Prize giving

The prize giving and end of term service were a great success - congratulations to all pupils on a super year and in particular to this year's trophy winners.

The service was a very happy occasion with the presentation of prizes as well as singing items from the infants, the school choir and the senior choir. Thank you to everyone who supported us.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Children can wear their own clothes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Children going on the winning house day out do not require lunch. Children remaining in school tomorrow need to bring a packed lunch as there will be no facility to buy lunch.

Go APE!!!

S3 - 4 had a fantastic day at Go Ape on Thursday. Go Ape is a 2 - 3 hour aerial ropes course set high in the trees around Aberfoyle. The course has a huge range of obstacles including the longest zip wire in Scotland and a terrifying Tarzan rope swing...

All the pupils who came really enjoyed it and everyone made it all the way to the end. They each behaved excellently and were a credit to the school - well done!

Infant Induction

Today Miss Speirs had the Infant Induction for next years' Primary 1 children.

They had a super morning in P1 and were very busy playing, writing, drawing and singing. They also walked round the whole school and met some of the other teachers.

After school they all went to Fun World together to play and had great fun!

Here are some photos of the boys and girls in school:

The seagull egg has hatched!

The seagull that has nested on the chimney outside Miss Rukins room has been circling her nest this afternoon- guarding the new chick that has hatched!

We can see one speckled chick but suspect another egg is yet to hatch which the mother keeps sitting on...

The spectacle has provided welcome distractions for S3 Modern Studies!







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Co-operative Learning - Teeth

On Friday, P2-7 were learning about teeth and how to keep them clean and healthy. P3 made a short presentation of what we had learned at the Science Centre on Thursday at the "Know your Gnashers" workshop.

The classes were split into different groups and their task was to write a song about their teeth to a famous tune. Some were better than others!

In third place:

In second place:

Here is the winning team:

Well done to everyone who worked so hard on Friday afternoon!

Cedars school outside!

We've been taking advantage of the lovely weather today, and some classes were taken outside to work...




















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Important Dates for your Diary

• Friday 25th June - Sports Day (Trip uniform should be worn with a t-shirt in your house colour)

• Monday 28th June - Prize Giving at 1.00pm in Struthers Memorial Church, West Stewart Street (Formal uniform)

• Tuesday 29th June - Winning house day out (Trip uniform should be worn)

• Wednesday 30th June - School closes at 12.00pm (own clothes can be worn)