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July 2009 - News Stories | |
Students celebrate outstanding IB Diploma exam resultsPicture: IB pupils celebrate 2009 Students from St Leonards School are looking forward to university careers around the world after receiving an impressive set of International Baccalaureate Diploma exam results. 49 members of the second cohort from the St Andrews school to complete the highly regarded two year course gained full diplomas, equating to a pass rate of 92.5%, well above the 2008 worldwide average of 79%. Ten pupils scored 38 points or more, thereby achieving the minimum entrance requirements for Oxford and Cambridge Universities, whilst overall the successful students scored an average of 33 points, equivalent to 489 UCAS points - 4As at A Level and more than 6As at Higher level - and higher than the 2008 worldwide average of 30 points. The truly international nature of both the qualification and St Leonards itself was emphasised by the fact that 23 of the diplomas awarded were Bilingual, indicating complete fluency in at least two languages. And the Diploma really has opened doors for the students who are now headed for university destinations including Oxford, Cambridge, Munich, Brisbane, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Toronto and Dundee to study subjects which range from Music to Modern and Medieval Languages to Computer Games Design. Stuart Mires from Tayport is off to Oxford to study Medicine having scored 42 points, a figure that is likely to place him in the top 1% of the 50,000 or so students who have just received results worldwide. Stuart said, “It was a difficult points target to achieve but the teachers were really there for us. “I think the IB has prepared me well for university life and it will definitely make it easier.” Having also registered 42 points, Alexandra Addison-Scott from Cupar is bound for Cambridge to study Land Economy. She said, “I think that the IB has been a great experience, and taking 6 subjects has emphasised the need for working throughout the two year course. “I think all the students appreciate how much work and commitment the IB takes, but if you are willing to put in the effort, then the results are huge, as universities really do realise the extent and full rounded nature of the course.” The Headmaster of St Leonards, Dr Michael Carslaw, was understandably delighted with the results. He said, “I’m really pleased for the students for all the hard work that they have put in in order to complete this challenging and enriching course. “St Leonards prides itself on preparing its pupils for life and I can think of no better qualification than the IB to do this. “To me it is an ideal preparation for a post-recession economy, being the least restrictive most globally recognised post-16 qualification available." Picture: Sports Day 2009 3 Track and field extravaganza at St LeonardsPupils of all ages took to the St Leonards playing fields recently for a scintillating sports extravaganza. An exhilarating Sports Day at the St Andrews school saw athletic youngsters battle it out in a variety of events, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of parents, staff and students. Year (P) 1-3 children from St Leonards-New Park kicked things off with fun events like potato and spoon races and sack races, and some more competitive challenges including a 50m dash. Some rather misty conditions moved in in time for the Year 4-7 pupils, but that didn't stop the youngsters entertaining spectators with impressive performances in events including the javelin, the long jump, the high jump and various races. Finally, Senior School and Sixth Form students took advantage of glorious sunshine to round things off with a flurry of outstanding displays in the shot putt, the discus, relay races and hurdles races amongst others. In all, more than 30 new records were set with several pupils setting new markers in more than one event. Dr Michael Carslaw said, “We have seen some excellent performances and it’s always great to see the pupils enjoying their sports.” Picture: Sports Day 2009 1 Picture: Sports Day 2009 6 Picture: Sports Day 2009 5 Picture: Sports Day 2009 4 Picture: Sports Day 2009 2 Pupils learn important lessonsPicture: Heartstart1 You’re never too young to start learning how to save a life. That’s what pupils at St Leonards School found out when they were given training in using Emergency Life Support skills. Children in years (p) 3, 5 and 7 and Senior School students in Year 9 (S2) learned what to do in various emergency situations as part of a programme delivered by members of staff who themselves had been trained up by Heartstart UK. Headmaster of St Leonards-New Park, Andrew Donald, said, “The classes have gone down very well with the pupils. They have been very enthusiastic. “It’s important that they are aware of the process to go through if they come across an emergency situation and they now know that there is something they can do to help.” Andrew explained that the idea behind the programme was for the children to build up a set of life support skills which become more advanced as they progress. Therefore, Year 3 participants were shown what to do in an emergency, Year 5 children looked at the recovery position, whilst Year 7 pupils covered CPR. In the Senior School, Year 9 (S2) found out about the importance of raising the alarm as well as procedures relating to suspected choking, heart attack management and serious bleeding. School Nurse Jenny Gemmill helped to deliver the programme. She said, “Heartstart provided the School with literature and donated mannequins to use for training and as a result of the lessons the children have had, St Leonards is now a ‘Heartstart UK School.’” Jenny is hoping to roll out the training to other year groups within the School as well as staff and even interested parents. “The overall aim is that everybody in the School, from a small child upwards, knows what to do in an emergency,” she added. Picture: Heartstart3 | |