Kyle Academy pupils and staff hold memorial service for Andrew

Jun 18 2008 By Kyle Academy, Ayrshire Post

THANK you to the very large number of pupils, parents, staff, community members and friends of the school who attended the memorial service for Andrew Young.

Councillors Mary Kilpatrick and Ian Douglas attended to represent the community.

Although the Provost was unable to attend, she sent a message of goodwill to the school community. We were privileged to have Andrew's family with us to celebrate his life and his friendship. Our special thanks to Mr Nicolson, Mr Stirling, and to Gemma McLeod, Scott Simpson, Sisely Parks, Caitlin Reid, Melanie Stobie, Gavin Dunlop, Callum Dunlop and Chris Westcott who organised the service.

Thanks also to the gymnastics club and student councils who raised money to buy a memorial bench for Andrew.

THIRTEEN courageous sixth year pupils faced a panel composed of five people, when they were interviewed for the post of Head Boy and Head Girl. The Head Teacher, Ms Brown, chaired the interview panel. Mrs Gemmel, member of the Parent Council, represented the parent voice. Ian Doolan and Gillian Rae represented the pupil voice and Mr Phillips represented the staff.

Warm congratulations to Jamie McFadzean who was selected as Head Boy, and Ross Gilfillan who was selected as Depute Head Boy. Michaela McDowall won the coveted position of Head Girl with Mairead McCrossan as Depute Head Girl.

All pupils then received feedback on their interview performance from Mrs Gemmell. We extend our thanks to her for her support. Ian Doolan and Gillian Rae performed also very well as panel members. Ms Brown commented on the fact that the decision had been exceptionally difficult this year. Interviews for the posts of House Captains will take place before the end of term.

CONGRATULATIONS to the following pupils who excelled at the Ayrshire Schools Athletics Championships: Murray Owen was first in the senior triple jump; Rachel Hunter was first in the third year shot putt and second in the javelin. Rachel also received the trophy for the best field throwing performance of the championships and was overall third year champion in the school Sports Day.

Leigh Phillips was first in the senior triple jump and Jay Forbes was first in the first year 75m hurdles. Lauren Smith was second in the first year shot putt. The senior boys were second in the relay event. The team included Aaron Gibson, Stuart Currie, Alan Bell, and Ross Dickson. Kirsty Bell was third in the second year long jump.

STAFF, pupils and parents enjoyed another pleasant afternoon in the sun at Dam Park last week for our traditional Sports Day events. Congratulations to all of our Champions. First year champions were Andrew Hainey and Caitlin Gillon. Second year champions were Cameron McNiven and Ainsley Little. Third year champions were Sean Walker and Rachel Hunter and senior champions were James Stirling and Leigh Phillips.

In addition to the serious sporting events, staff and pupils also enjoyed the traditional sack race. Winner of the staff race this year was Miss Rodman.

CONGRATULATIONS to Chelsea Dunlop and Kelly McGill of third year who took part in the Young Masterchef School Team Challenge.

The girls competed against three teams from South Lanarkshire and three teams from South Ayrshire schools. They came second overall in the Championship.

OUR AMBITIOUS drama club is once again preparing to take part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Pupil Sam Stopford, President of the Drama Club, recalled the challenge and pleasure associated with last year's competition. The group's production this year will be 'The Merchant of Venice'.

THE DRAMA based course designed to build the confidence of primary seven pupils, which was developed and delivered by this year's Head Girl, Lorna Mitchell and her friend, Emily Wallace, was such a success that it will continue next session. Four new sixth year pupils have taken on the challenge of delivering the course to the new primary seven pupils. The girls were determined to ensure that any improvements they brought about, were sustainable after they left. They have left an excellent legacy to their old schools, Kyle Academy and Grammar Primary. Thanks girls. The pupils who will be delivering the course will be Laura Blair, Mairead McCrossan, Callum Brough and Michaella McDowall.

MRS ANGELA Brown has taken up her post as job share Administration and Finance Officer for Kyle Academy.

MR MCKENNA of the Mathematics department is taking a second group of pupils to climb Ben Lomond this month to raise more funds for Peru. The junior pupils who took part in the last walk raised £710 for the cause. It will be the seniors' turn to take to the hills on Thursday, June 26. The group of pupils who will be going to Peru in June 2009 will be taking part now that their SQA examinations are over. Good luck folks and take care.

STAFF welcomed our new group of enthusiastic probationer teachers who will take up their posts in August. Welcome to Keith Paul in Geography, Joyce Dick in Mathematics, Joanne Mohan in Biology, Jane Cafferty in PE and Julie McCormack in Modern Languages.

EXCITEMENT is building for the Student Sports Council's major health promoting event, the Big Day Out which will take place on Friday. All staff and pupils will take part in a very wide range of health promoting activities, both within the school and in the wider community. The activities include white water rafting, horse riding, climbing, skiing, go karting, paintballing, hip hop dancing, wood turning, arts and crafts, cookery unihoc, football, basketball, badminton, arts and crafts, and for the less energetic, a walk by the River Ayr. Professional coaches will be on hand to assist with the events.

Thanks you also to Miss Wilson and her large team of staff for helping the Student Council to organise the event.

THE NEXT meeting of the parent council will take place at 7pm in the staffroom on Tuesday, June 24. Any parent is welcome to attend to observe the meeting.

THE SCHOOL closes on Friday, June 27 at 1pm. Staff will return to school on Thursday, August 14 and pupils will return on Monday, August 18.

STAFF from past and present congregated at the Carrison Hotel in Ayr to bid farewell to two valued members of staff. Mr Ward said a formal farewell to his principal teacher, Mrs Varrie who was recently appointed to the post of Quality Improvement Officer with Inverclyde Council.

Mrs Gardiner also said a formal farewell to Mr John Ward, Principal Teacher of History and Modern Studies at Kyle.

As a sign of the times, formal presentations were accompanied by PowerPoint presentations for the staff concerned. Mr Phillips, Mrs Reilly and Mr Anderson also co-produced a special video for the staff, which involved entertaining performances from most of the staff in the school. The video was entitled 'Our Journey to Excellence'. This is now on sale to staff to raise funds for Peru. The evening ended with Mr Phillips and Mr Anderson giving a rousing rendition of the Proclaimer's hit Moving On.

The singing talents of the pair have been questioned by some, but they are certainly not short on enthusiasm!