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2 weeks ago

Stromness Academy

Duke of EdinburghWe’ve had word of a few pupils dropping DofE before we have started, stating that they are advised to focus on exams. DofE is a commitment, but pupils can choose an activity in each of the 3 sections (Physical, Volunteering and Skills) that they already do. For example:Physical – a pupil might already go to netball and the physical skill they can work is improving their passing or shootingVolunteering – they may already help with a sport at a primary school, or help a neighbour by cleaning, or cutting their grass. Skill – they already play a musical instrument or want to work on improving their drawing or painting. There are so many options and we can be flexible with things they already do. Other than keeping a quick log of what they do each week, and attending after school on a Monday, DofE doesn’t need to be a massive undertaking. Pupils can develop other skills, learn to work with others and get out and enjoy the landscapes around us. Exams are important, but DofE is seen as a very respectable qualification by many employers and further education institutes. It’s not too late to sign up! Send your child to Mr Grieve for more information, or a sign up sheet!

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Houses

The Houses

The school uses a system of ‘houses’ to organise pupils. Pupils are assigned to a house, which they will retain throughout their time at Stromness Academy. Each house is led by a staff House Champion and two pupil House Captains. All pupils have morning registration and PSE lessons within their house groups, and younger pupils also take many subject lessons within their house. Pupils earn house points in and out of lessons for effort and attitude as well as for achievement, and competitions and events such as sports day have a strong house element.  Our three houses are:

MAGNUS: House Colour green (Originally Yellow). Named after Saint Magnus (? – c. 1117 AD). Son of Erlend, joint Earl of Orkney, and himself a joint Earl with his brother Haakon, who murdered him on Egilsay. Buried in Birsay and later transferred to Kirkwall Cathedral. St. Magnus Cathedral is named in his honour.

ROGNVALD (Pronounced Ronald): House Colour Red. Named after Earl Rognvald of Orkney (? – 1158 AD), the nephew of Saint Magnus. He was baptised under the name of Kali, but took the name Rognvald. He founded Kirkwall Cathedral in 1137, and undertook a pilgrimage to the Mediterranean. He was canonised in 1192.

THORFINN: House Colour Blue. Named after Earl Thorfinn of Orkney (c. 1009-1065 AD), eldest son of Sigurd, by daughter of Malcolm II. He fought against Duncan I, his cousin (and the basis for King Duncan in ‘Macbeth’)., and he perhaps partitioned Scotland with Macbeth. He went to Rome c. 1050, and built a cathedral at Birsay for the bishop of his earldom of Orkney. His two sons fought with Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, at Stamford Bridge in 1066, and his daughter Ingibjorg married Malcolm III.

SIGURD (Disbanded): House Colour Green. (Disbanded in 2014 due to falling school roll) Named after Earl Sigurd of Orkney ( ? – 1014 AD). Thought to have been converted to Christianity by King Olaf Trygvasson c. 995; married a daughter of Malcolm II and was father of Thorfinn; killed at battle of Clontarf in Ireland.

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