The following items have been extracted from the parents newsletters written
by Mr Thewliss four times a year.

October 2007

Flower and Food Festival 2007

The Home Economics Department made their annual visit to the Flower and Food Festival at Camperdown Park on the 31^st August.  There was a party of 32 senior pupils and 2 special S3 pupils.  The purpose of the trip is to allow pupils to see one or two top chefs in action and to give them an opportunity to see, sample and talk to people at the sharp end of some of the best Scottish produce on the market.

This year the Home Economics teachers encouraged pupils in S5 and S6 courses to take an active part in the home baking competition.  Four S6 pupils took up the challenge and entered the competition.  Between them they received two third places and one second place.  Well done all.

Our two special S3 pupils were accompanying the seniors for a very special occasion.  Toni and Hannah came third in the Tayside Schools Super Chef Competition back in June.  The competition is run by Dundee College and The Flower and food Festival.  The pupils from the winning schools were there to receive a signed copy of Friday’s celebrity chef’s new book.  The girls enjoyed their moment in the limelight and are looking forward to next year’s competition.

June 2007

Tayside Schools Super Chef Competition

March 2007

During the week of 12^th -16^th March, the Home Economics Department were very busy raising money for Comic Relief.  Pupils were given the chance to produce cakes if they made a small donation to the charity.  All week pupils were very generous with their donations and enjoyed producing “Red Nose Cakes”.  On Friday Natalie Stott and Danielle Cook (both S5) took part in a Ready Steady Cook Challenge.  Natalie worked with Mrs Merchant and Danielle worked with Mr Clarkson.  Both teams had been unaware of the contents of the goodie bags beforehand therefore faced a very difficult challenge.  However they produced wonderful dishes within the 30 mins and raised a considerable amount of money.  Overall approximately £300 has been raised within the H.E. Department for the event.  Therefore the H.E. Department would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the above events and everyone who made kind donations.

March 2006

S2 Chef’s Club

Over the last four weeks eight S2 pupils have attended the Chefs Club on a Tuesday evening in the Home Economics Department. The club is organised by the department but runs in conjunction with Dundee College Hospitality Department. Chef Walter McKrindle takes the group and they have made a range of exciting dishes including Sticky Toffee Pudding and Stuffed Crust Pizza. Watch out for another four week slot which will run next term.

REHIS

The Home Economics teaching staff are delighted to report on the excellent performance of their S4 and S3 Standard Grade pupils in the recent Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland Elementary Food Hygiene Exam which took place at the end of 2005. All of our successful pupils have now received their certificates. Congratulations to all who passed their first professional exam.

1^st Year Craft Club

This has been a busy time for the 10 members who attend every Thursday lunchtime along with three 5^th year pupils.  The techniques they have learnt so far are elastic canvas work, cross stitch, salt dough modelling and painting.  The group are now looking forward to a “masterclass” session in making needle felt fairies on Friday 24 March from the Newburgh Twist Fibre Craft Studio.

March 2005

The following pupils were successful in the REHIS Elementary Food Science Exam taken in S3 this session during S Grade HE – Arati Ahmed, Lara Bannister, Kirsty Bastiaen, Tyese Bastiaen, Danielle Cook, Hannah Ewen, Gaynor Ferguson, Kerr Ingram, Nadia Karim, Samantha McNeill, Paul Marshall, Fatima Rafiq, Sarah Mason, Darryl Soutar, Leanne Milne, Natalie Stott, Terri Mitchell, Yazzi Thomson.