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From Kingarth Street
This term I think we should be renamed Hutchesons’ Grammar School for the Performing Arts and Sport! The school has resounded to Gilbert & Sullivan (P7), Scottish songs (P2), and ‘partying’ Romans (P3). We have put on shows, performed at concert evenings, held our annual Scottish Music and Verse competition and hosted a Scottish Opera workshop. One hundred children graced the stage at the Concert Hall in February, singing in the international-themed show ‘Shall Brothers Be’ and Sam Holloway (P5G) gave the most inspiring rendition of Burns’ ‘A Man’s a Man’.
Our swimming and cross-country teams have excelled in galas and competitions and the improved weather has seen the return of the myriad of sports that our children take part in. Hutchie is known for its focus on success in academia but that is only part of the story. Our children also participate in a wide range of enriching activities outwith the classroom that have a profound effect within. Through their participation, they learn intellectual, motor and emotional skills. They learn how to work in teams and to contribute. They grow in confidence, develop self-esteem and come to realise that hard work and commitment result in something special and they take pride in doing something well. Some of our children have amazing talents; some have dogged determination and ambition; some take part just for the sheer joy of it. What we do see week in and week out are the results of a
hard-working, committed staff, supportive parents and children who love to learn – what a treat!
It was a pleasure to meet many of you again at Parents’ Night. I know many more children now; next I have to work at putting families together. I would like to thank those of you who made a point of sharing your impressions of how things are going in the school. Your feedback (especially the positive type!) is always appreciated. Remember you may contact us at: feedback@hutchesons.org.
Can I please remind you to let us know if there is a change to your email contact details? That way you do not miss out on communications like this.
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Founders' Day
Founders’ day: A day off for some but an important day of celebration for the school. Wednesday 16th March saw the staff and senior pupils in Glasgow Cathedral celebrating the founding of Hutchesons’ Grammar School in 1641. This event is a key part of the ethos of the school and the mix of academic pomp and ceremony and memories shared by former pupils reminds us of the place of the school in the history of Glasgow and how privileged we are to be part of it. The following day, our young ‘Hutchie bugs’ heard a very interesting talk and saw some historical pictures at an assembly led by Mr Dunlop, the school archivist. We hope it made them feel part of the celebration and gives them some insight into what happens on Founders’ Day until they can join us at the Cathedral themselves.
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Kingarth Street Welcomes Grans
The Primary 2 topic of Katie Morag and the Two Grandmothers gives us a reason to welcome Grandparents to afternoon tea and a show in the main hall at Kingarth Street. We were, once again, overwhelmed by the fantastic support that the children had. Grans, grannies, nans and grandmas (a couple of grandpas too) came from near and (very) far to see the play and to hear the children sing. Big hats, buttery scones and singing were the order of the day. The ceilidh band entertained during tea. Senior pupils from Beaton Road joined in the fun and helped with the tea. Support staff, Mrs Stevenson, Mr McLeod and the Primary 2 teachers all worked together to make this a memorable occasion.
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Party like a Roman!
Primary 3 demonstrated their new-found knowledge and understanding of their Roman topic in inimitable style recently. The curricular aspects of Social Studies, Languages, Literacy, Art and Music all came together in this topic to give the children more depth, insight, relevance and a whole lot of fun. They amazed their audience with their Latin vocabulary and were able to show the links with our language today. The parents were then invited to the classes to see what the children had been learning. The children have studied Roman culture and life. They ended their Roman day with a feast (not a chocolate dormouse in sight!).
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World Book Day - AARR!
World Book Day saw the whole of Kingarth Street dressed as pirates and sharing treasure in the form of well-loved books. Book vouchers were the ‘booty’ and the children were given excellent reviews of the free books their voucher would buy. Children read out their favourite parts from stories and Mrs Haughney read an excerpt from Treasure Island. Captain Alastair Richmond [P60] gave a fine performance and kept the pirates in line. This day was one part of a fantastic book week organised by Miss Osler and Mrs Denholm during which every class in the school heard an author speak engagingly about their craft. We hope to have inspired both budding authors and reluctant readers!
Read more and look at photos here!
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Scots Music & Verse
We were delighted to invite Mrs McKie to be the judge at our annual competition as it was her favourite event in the Hutchesons’ calendar. One finalist from each class performed for the judge and audience. It was a pleasure to hear their knowledge of the chosen pieces and the emotional range the children produced. The musicians gave us goosepimples with their beautiful voices or their instrumental performance.
The Verse competition was won by Vasit Ahmed (P4G) who had the audience in stitches with his performance of ‘Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff a Bus’ by Margaret Tollick. Verity MacInnes won the music competition playing ‘Lord Lovat’s Lament’ on her cello. Flora Ritchie was the winner of the new Sheena Hamilton Trophy for best performance in both music and verse which was selected by a panel of judges prior to the event. The prize was presented by Sheena's children, Mrs Scott and Mr Hamilton. A poem learned by heart stays with you always and all of the children, finalists or not, take something away with them.
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Sports News
Our children have had great success in many of their sporting meets this term. Please click on the links below to see how the runners and sports teams have fared or to read first-hand reports on the games. At an individual level, I wish to congratulate Adam Reid [P6], who came 3rd in the under 13 section of the Irish Open Squash Championships last month, and George Baird [P7] who was awarded the Miquel Trophy at the 2010 Scottish Tennis Awards. This trophy is awarded to the player who, in the opinion of the National Performance Team, has shown outstanding attitude and dedication to improving his tennis. Hutchesons' Tennis Team won school of the year. Harry Nimmo and Josh Bicknell won Gold and Silver individual medals respectively, at the Glasgow Schools Primary Cross-Country Championships.
Tennis Cross Country The Swimming results are in the March Hutchie Herald, which will drop through your letterbox within a few days!
Well done again to everyone involved in sport for fun, for charity, individual achievement or the school teams!
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Minibridge
On Tuesday 8 March our “minibridgers”, along with their coaches Mrs Craig and Mrs McCash, took part in this year’s National Minibridge Championship held at Stirling Bridge Club. A large number of schools participated and the overall event was won by an experienced team from Montrose, but Hutchesons’ Grammar School lifted the best primary school team section. This is a great tribute to the quality of the coaching and the standard of our young players. The event was superbly organised with excellent catering and a great time was had by all. “It is great to see the nurturing of such tremendous potential in the School which bodes well for the future of Junior Bridge and I welcome an opportunity to acknowledge the highly professional help given by the coaches, Mrs K Craig and Mrs P McCash” says Mr J Di Mambro, the School’s Bridge Administrator.
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Science Week
The whole school turned its attention to matters scientific this term. P3M started the ball rolling with an Assembly on the theme of Communication. Parents came to school to tell us about their careers as surgeons, doctors and rocket scientists. Mr MacAulay came to visit P1 and P2 to perform an outdoor, rocket-launching, science experiment and the pupils enjoyed soaking the teachers! Our budding scientists have been 'wowing' their classmates with intriguing, exciting and downright interesting experiments. Primary 4 classroom doors warn visitors that scientists are at work and Primary 5 had a wonderful workshop with the Science Centre Roadshow: Blood, Bile and Body Bits!
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Pirates of Penzance –AARRR again!
Our Primary 7 show this year sees the children set sail on the swashbuckling Gilbert & Sullivan adventure, The Pirates of Penzance. This is a challenging performance but all of the children (and staff!) have worked hard to learn the songs, polish up the performance and support all of the technical aspects that are required to put on a show of this calibre. Even our more reluctant performers seem to have enjoyed the Pirate theme and no-one has yet had to walk the plank. All of this hard work will culminate in two performances this week - break a leg everyone!
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Art Competition Winner
Haaris Bhatti [P7L] won a 1st prize in the Strathbungo Spring Fling Art Competition for his drawing inspired by the title ‘Life in Strathbungo’. He was presented with his prize on Saturday morning at The Spring Fling Event which took place at Queen’s Park Church. The school had submitted a number of entries and everyone is delighted by his success.
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Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 March: P7 Show
Saturday 23 April
Scottish Schools Primary Cross Country (Kirkcaldy)
Wednesday 4 May
Open Doors at Kingarth Street (9.30am – 11.30am)
Personal Safety Talk for P5, P6 and P7 Parents at 7.00pm
Tuesday 10 May
Primary 7 Sports Heats (reserve date 17th)
Wednesday 11 May
P7 Newlands Parents’ Meeting at 6.30pm
Thursday 12 May
P3 – P5 Music Performance Evening (P3/P4 at 6.30pm and P5 at 7.30pm)
Tuesday 17 May
P1 outings to Scotland Street
Thursday 19 May
P6 Music Performance Evening at 7.00pm
Wednesday 25 May
Glasgow Schools Primary Finals night at Scotstoun
Tuesday 31 May
New Parents’ Evening (and current Primary 4 parents)
Primary 3 visit from Zoolab
Tuesday 31 May to Friday 3 June inclusive
P7 trip to Newlands Adventure Centre
Thursday 2 June
S1 New Parents' Evening (for current P7 parents), Beaton Road
P3 outing to Amazonia
Saturday 4 June
Primary Sports Day at Beaton Road
Tuesday 7 June
P6 outing to ‘Mega Music’ at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 9 June
P1 Show at 6.30pm
Tuesday 14 June
P7 Music Performance Evening at 7.00pm
Wednesday 22 June
School closes at 12 noon
Remember to check the calendar on the website for full information and for term dates.
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