INFORMATION FOR NEW PUPILS 2006-2007

INFORMATION FOR NEW ENTRANTS TO DOLLAR ACADEMY

We hope that the information given in the next few pages makes your introduction to Dollar Academy smoother, and we look forward to welcoming parents and pupils into our community in the coming year.  

John Robertson
Rector

Full information on the life and work of the Academy is contained in the three Information Booklets for P upils, P arents and On Extra-Curricular Activities . Various, more specific pieces of information pertinent to new pupils and their parents are given below.

The initial point of contact for parents is with the appropriate Class Teacher, Head of Year (in Senior School) or, for boarding matters, the Houseparent.

Assistant Heads of Year also have a special remit to look after new pupils.

Heads of Year for 2006— 2007 are:

Form I
Mr N Blezard
Mrs C Childs (Acting Assistant Head)

Form II
Mr J Fraser
Dr D Keys (Assistant Head)

Form III
Mrs C McGirr (Mr Smith - Acting until Dec)
Mr C Smith (Assistant Head) (Mrs Moore - Acting until Dec)

Form IV
Mr D Lumsden
Mrs F McDonald (Assistant Head)

Form V
Mrs L Jeffrey
Mr A Johns (Assistant Head)

Form VI
Mrs E Borrowman
Mr C Ainge (Assistant Head)

In order to finalise the details of timetables, parents of all new pupils entering Forms II, III, IV, V and VI are asked to make an appointment to see their son’s or daughter’s Head of Year by means of the form they have received. These appointments will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 23 August, or by other prior arrangement.

Go to your playground at 8.50am and you will be welcomed by your class teacher, who will explain everything, and very quickly help you to settle in to your new class.

• Arrive at the school by 8.40am.
• Go to Reception in the Playfair Building (through the Bronze Doors) where you will be met by a senior pupil. You will be taken into the Library where your Head of Year will meet you, then on to Assembly.
• Assembly will last about 15 minutes, after which you will go with your Form Class to your Form room. Your Form Tutor will tell you how the school day is organised and go through your timetable with you; this will take until morning break at 11.15am.
• Your first lesson will be Period 3 at 11.25am, just after break, followed by two more lessons after lunch.

What do I need to bring with me?

• The red hymnbook for Assembly.
• Notebook or file paper, pens and pencils etc.
• Information for Pupils booklet.
• Lunch money (school lunch costs £2.20) or a packed lunch.

How will I find my way around?

• Your Form Tutor will pair you up with another pupil in your Form class – a “buddy” - whose job will be to show you where to go and to help you settle in.
• You will be given a map of the school campus. Use this to familiarise yourself with the school layout.
• If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask anyone for help.

Where do I go at break and lunchtime?

• School lunch is available in the Dining Hall or you may prefer to bring a packed lunch and eat it in the Dining Hall.
• You may go the shops in Dollar at break and lunchtime (although you should note that there may be long queues in the shops at peak times).
• Each year group has a classroom allocated for use as a base at lunchtime, from 1.00pm onwards.
• Your Form Tutor will give you more information on this.

The pattern of the curriculum is outlined in the Information for Parents booklet. There are, of course, choices which need to be made at the different stages.

The Dollar curriculum from 5-18 has been produced to provide a clear flow from the earliest stages.

The curriculum in the Prep and Junior School, designed to achieve both breadth and balance, is common to all pupils. The first two years of senior school link with this and build upon it to provide the base for the Standard Grade and Intermediate 2 course choices made on entry to Form III.

Pupils in Form III usually take seven subjects at Standard or Intermediate 2 Grade, with Mathematics and English compulsory, and the other five subjects chosen freely from a large choice. For those pupils for whom it is regarded as appropriate, one further Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 course may be pursued, by means of the Compressed Sciences option. Pupils taking these options would study the three sciences in the time normally taken for two, to free up the time for the extra option. Currently, the three sciences and a group of business subjects can be compressed and, thus, eight subjects may be taken.

Normally pupils would be expected to take at least one language other than English, one science subject and one social subject. An interview with Senior members of staff is arranged in second term for pupils and their parents to discuss appropriate choices.

A pro-forma for subject choices (where applicable) is enclosed.

MODERN LANGUAGES AT DOLLAR
The pattern of language teaching is as follows:

From Junior I to Form II - A four year language course for all pupils in French or German or Spanish.

Form II - This is considered as the “bridge” year that prepares pupils for Standard Grade courses in Forms III and IV. In Form II also there is the possibility for those pupils thinking of taking two languages beyond Form II - or of changing from one language to another - to spend more time on the second language.

Forms III & IV - Pupils (with few exceptions) will take French, or German, or Spanish to Standard Grade; and all pupils will have the opportunity to study a second language to Standard Grade.

Forms V & VI - French, German and Spanish will be available to pupils who will by then be following Higher Still and Advanced Higher courses.

Modular courses in a range of other languages (in recent years these have included Japanese, Italian and Russian) may also be offered.

For Pupils entering Form I

Pupils in Junior I and Junior II have already learned a significant amount of French, German or Spanish. New pupils entering Form I from outside will need to join one of these sets. Parents are requested to let us know on the enclosed form which language has been studied before. If by chance a pupil has not done a language, an appropriate amount will need to be covered before August. If further information is needed about the teaching of Languages, parents are invited to contact the Department.

MUSIC IN DOLLAR ACADEMY

Tuition is available on all orchestral woodwind, brass, percussion and stringed instruments, as well as guitar, piano , solo singing , chanter and drumming . Where a place on the timetable is not immediately available for the chosen instrument, a waiting list ensures that lessons are begun as soon as a vacancy occurs.

Lessons are organised so that a pupil does not miss the same part of the lesson more than twice in any one term. In order to gain the maximum benefit from lessons, the pupil must be prepared to commit time to daily practice, and to play in groups and orchestras when required.

Parents are billed for lessons received at £16.00 / half hour lesson. The end of term account is calculated on the number of lessons recorded by the instructor on the pupil’s progress chart. This information will be accompanied by a full musical profile and written comment. In addition, a Music Practice Diary which is prepared on a weekly basis will show clearly what music has been introduced. Piping and Drumming lessons are £110 per term.

It is obviously an advantage if all pupils have their own instrument; however, most reputable music dealers operate a scheme whereby it is possible to hire an instrument for a period of three months - giving the pupil time to make sure the correct choice has been made and at the same time avoiding large initial outlay. The school has a complete set of orchestral instruments which may be used for a limited period (subject to availability). Buying a musical instrument is best undertaken after advice from the Music Department.

If parents would like their sons and daughters to have instrumental tuition they are requested to complete and return the enclosed slip to Mr McGonigle, Director of Music, who will be pleased to discuss any questions.

PUPILS IN PREP 1

They finish school at 2.40pm until October Mid-Term holiday. Thereafter they will finish at 3.15pm with the remainder of the Prep School.

DOLLAR ACADEMY PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION (DAPA)

The Parents’ Association very kindly makes arrangements to provide coffee on the first morning of the session for all new parents in Dollar Academy. Parents are most welcome to attend the Dining Hall Coffee Morning on Thursday 24 August , at any time from 8.45am onwards. It is an ideal opportunity to meet other new parents, and to learn something about the Parents’ Association at the same time.

THRIFT SHOP

In August 2006 , the Thrift Shop will be open at the following times :

Wednesday 23 and Thursday 25 August 2.30 – 4.00pm

Thereafter, the Thrift Shop will be open from 2.30 – 4.00pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month during term time. It is situated in the area underneath the Prep School in the north-east of our campus. A range of good second-hand Dollar Academy uniform items is generally available.

DATA CHECK/MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE & CONSENT FORMS

We ask parents to provide us with information on names, addresses­, emergency contacts, telephone numbers and so on. Boarder parents should note that all boarders are registered with our local Health Centre in Dollar, and information should be made available to that Centre through the Academy. Emergency dental care for pupils is available at the local dentist.

Please let us have the completed Information Sheets and Medical Forms by return, in the enclosed envelope. An early return of this information ensures that we are in the best position to support our pupils during this year in Dollar.

Enclosures:
Sports Fixtures Permission Form
Medical Questionnaire
Data Check Form
Tetanus/Polio Form (Form IV only)
Information Booklets
Instrumental Tuition Form
Curriculum Preferences Form (where applicable)

An envelope is enclosed for the return of the various forms. Prompt return would be very much appreciated.

ABERDOUR – DUNFERMLINE (RENNIES)
TEL: 01383 620600

Aberdour, Hawkcraig Rd / A921 / Main St / Station St / Dalgety Bay, Moray Way South / Moray Way North / Moray Way South / Link Road / Harbour Drive / A921 / Hillend By-pass / Inverkeithing, Hillend Rd / King St / High St / Church St / Chapel St / A921 / M90 /Dunfermline, Queensferry Rd / Hospital Hill / Bothwell St / St Margaret’s Dr / Carnegie Drive / Pilmuir St / Foundry St / Bruce St

DUNFERMLINE – DOLLAR (RENNIES)
TEL: 01383 620600

Depart Dunfermline, Bruce St at 8.10 am

Dunfermline, Bruce St / Carnegie Dr / Pilmuir St / Broomhead Dr / Baldridgeburn /A907 / Carnock Rd / B913 / Saline, Steelend Rd / Main St / B913 West Rd / B913 / Solsgirth Mine/ B913 / Dollar, Devon Rd / Dollar Academy

Arrive Dollar Academy at 8:40 am

This bus retraces the route, leaving Dollar Academy at 3:30 pm and 5:15 pm, arriving at Dunfermline, Bruce Street at 4:05 pm and 5:45 pm. The later of these services continues to Aberdour, if required, arriving at 6:15 pm.

CAIRNEYHILL – CULROSS – DOLLAR (RENNIES)
TEL: 01383 620600

Depart Cairneyhill, Main St at 7:55 am

Cairneyhill, Main St / A944 / B9037 / Torryburn, Main St / B9037 / Low Valleyfield, Main St / B9037 / Culross, Main St / B9037 / Kirkbrae Woods / B9037 / A985 / Shiresmill / Blairhall / A907 / Coalsnaughton Roundabout / A91 / Forestmill / B913 / Dollar, Devon Rd / Dollar Academy

GRANGEMOUTH – FORESTMILL – DOLLAR (FIRST EDINBURGH)
TEL: 01324 623901

Depart Grangemouth, Newhouse Rd at 7.47am

B9132 / A905 / Earls Gates Roundabout / A904 / Ladysmill / Kerse Lane / Bellevue St / Meadow St / Falkirk / Bus station / Meadow St / Bellevue St / Kerse Lane / Princes St / Vicar St / Grahams Rd / B902 / Carron Works / B902 / Bellsdyke Rd (A88) / B9036 / Letham / B9036 / A905 / A876 / Kincardine Bridge / Kincardine / A977 / Forest Mill / A977 / B913 / Dollar, Devon Rd / Bridge St / Harviestoun Rd / Dollar Academy

Arrive Dollar Academy at 8.43am

DOLLAR ACADEMY – GRANGEMOUTH (FIRST EDINBURGH)
TEL: 01324 623901

Depart Dollar Academy at 15.35 & 17.15

Dollar Academy / McNabb St / Bridge St / Devon Rd / B913 / A977 / Forest Mill / A977 / Kincardine / Kincardine Bridge / A876 / A905 / A88 / Bellsdyke Rd / Tryst Rd / B905 / B902 / Carron Works (Bypass Rd) / B902 / Carron (Ronades Rd) / Camelon (Canal Rd) / Camelon Rd / Falkirk (West Bridge St ) / Newmarket St / Upper Newmarket St / Vicar St / Park St / Princes St / Kerse Lane / Bellevue St / Meadow St / Falkirk Bus Station / Meadow St / Bellevue St / Kerse Lane / A904 / Earls Gates Roundabout / A905 / B9132 / Kingseat Ave / Overton Rd / Kersieband Ave / Oxgang Rd / Bo’ness Rd

Arrive Grangemouth ( Charing Cross) at 16.44 & 18.24

FALKIRK – ALLOA – DOLLAR ACADEMY (FIRST EDINBURGH)
TEL: 01324 602200

Depart Falkirk, Bus Station at 07.40

Meadow St / Bellevue St / Kerse Lane / Princes St / Upper Newmarket St / Newmarket St / Cockburn St / Tanners Rd / Camelon Rd / Camelon (Main St) / A9 / Larbert Cross / B905 / Tryst Rd / Bellsdyke Rd / A88 / A905 / A876 / Kincardine Bridge / Kincardine / A977 / A907 / Alloa (Shillinghill Roundabout) / Ring Rd / Drysdale St / Shillinghill / Shillinghill Roundabout / A908 / Sauchie / Fishcross / Tillicoultry (Bus Stance) / A91 / Dollar (Harviestoun Rd) / Dollar Academy

Arrive Dollar Academy at 08.45

STIRLING – BRIDGE OF ALLAN – DOLLAR (FIRST EDINBURGH)
TEL: 01786 480094

Depart Stirling Bus Station at 07.51

Cornton Rd / Allanvale Rd / Union St / Henderson St / Airthrey Rd / Hillfoots Rd / B998 / A91 / Hillfoots Rd / A91 / Menstrie / Alva / Tillicoultry

Arrive Dollar Academy at 08.33

BANNOCKBURN – STIRLING – DOLLAR (FIRST EDINBURGH)
TEL: 01786 480094

Depart Bannockburn ( Newmarket) at 07.45

Quakerfield, New Rd / The Firs / Bannockburn Rd / St Ninians Toll / Borestone Cres / Randolph Terr / Newhouse / St Ninians Rd / Wellgreen Rd / Goosecroft Rd / Stirling (bus station) / Goosecroft Rd / Station Rd / Murray Pl / Barnton St / Viewfield Pl / Cowane St / Lower Bridge St / Union St / Bridge Customs / Causewayhead Rd (A9) / Causewayhead Roundabout / Airthrey Rd / Unclassified Rd / Stirling University / Hillfoots Rd / A91 / Menstrie / Alva / Tillicoultry / Dollar Academy

Arrive Dollar Academy at 08.33

GLENROTHES – DOLLAR ( FIFE SCOTTISH)
TEL: 01592 610686

Depart Glenrothes Kingdom Centre at 07.30

Leslie / Auchmuir Bridge / Scotlandwell / Kinneswood / Milnathort / Kinross / Crook of Devon / Yetts o’ Muckhart / Dollar Academy

Arrive Dollar Academy at 08.30

DOLLAR – GLENROTHES ( FIFE SCOTTISH)
TEL: 01592 610686

Depart Dollar Academy at 15.30

Yetts o’ Muckhart / Milnathort / Kinneswood / Scotlandwell / Auchmuir Bridge / Leslie

Arrive Glenrothes Kingdom Centre at 16.25

PERTH

A route from Perth is served by a bus hired privately by parents.

NOTES

Pupils travelling to and/or from school on a Rennies bus are charged at the end of term on the fee invoice. Tickets for such buses hired by the Academy are supplied on request to pupils in sheets of ten. Payment for a sheet will be included in the fee invoice once at least one ticket from the sheet has been collected for a bus journey. The approximate price of a sheet of tickets may be obtained from Dr Hendry.

All other listed buses are public service, and ticket arrangements and prices may be obtained form the company concerned.

Pupils below Prep 3 are normally brought to and from school by an adult.