The main part (for pupils anyway!) of our transition programme is the four days in June that our incoming S1 pupils will spend in Mackie Academy which run from Tuesday 17th through to Friday 20th June.

Young people can expect to spend the majority of these four days in classes and following a timetable similar to what they will encounter in August.

In addition to timetabled classes, young people will spend time in team building and sports activities and also begin to develop their relationships with their PSAT and US Time teachers as well as classmates.

When to come - where to goa

Our school day starts at 8.40am. P7 pupils should go to the Main Assembly Hall by 8.40am on Tuesday 17th June.

How do I get there and home

Parents of young people who have an entitlement to school transport should have received notification directly from Aberdeenshire Council's School Transport unit at some point in late-May/early June to inform you of pick-up point and time. If you have not heard from them please contact Carol in the office at Mackie Academy.

School transport drops you off at the bus bay in school around 10-15minutes before the start of the school day. At the end of the day transport leaves at 3.25pm (10 minutes after our school day ends).

If you do not have an entitlement to school transport (generally those who live within 3 miles of the school) you need to make your own arrangements to get here and home.

What to wear

On Tuesday morning, pupils will be involved in sports/PE activities  lead by our PE staff and senior pupils. Pupils will need trainers suitable for inside or outside. If the weather is bad these activities will be indoors. PE kit or your normal school jumper/polo etc can be worn.

At morning intervals and lunchtimes throughout the week, pupils will be allowed to go outside to the sports fields on school grounds should they wish to . Since the weather in our part of the world is changeable (and not within our control!) you should probably have a jacket with you.

On some other days during the week (depending on the class you are in) you may have PE. On these days you will also need to bring your trainers. We will let you know on the Tuesday which days your class will need PE kit. You can generally wear the same school clothes that you currently wear to primary school on the Transition Days

What to bring

As you will be following your S1 timetable for most of the week you should bring pens/pencils for writing. If you normally use a school issued device such as a Chromebook then you may also wish to use this in Mackie and should therefore bring it with you. It is wise to bring your stuff in a schoolbag as it is your own responsibility to look after.

What about food?

You should also bring your own snack with you for morning interval as you won't be accessing the canteen at this time.

For lunch, you can bring your own packed lunch or you can eat in the school canteen. If you wish to eat in the canteen you will need to make sure you have your Young Scot Card with you . Parents need to ensure that there is money in the payment account to cover what you order. Those young people with Free School Meal Entitlement will receive their school lunch in the canteen without need for payment although still need to have their Young Scot Card.

If you have a specific/specialised dietary need this requires to be communicated to Aberdeenshire Council using the link here. This information is then shared with the relevant catering team within the authority.