Kyle Association plans race night to boost funds

Oct 3 2008 by Julie Simpson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE Kyle Association are holding a race night in the new building at 7pm on Friday, October 3.

Last session the funds raised were used to purchase a new reading scheme for first year pupils called Accelerated Reader. The school was able to purchase a much wider range of books for young people.

Pupils were encouraged to spend 20 minutes per night reading to improve the development of this core skill. Pupil and staff evaluations of the project were very positive and the scheme had a considerable impact on literacy levels.

It is planned to extend this scheme to second year, to build on the good habits acquired in first year.

In addition to providing this type of assistance, the Kyle Association has helped to build a real sense of community in school, where pupils, staff and parents can learn and socialise together.

Tickets the school office at a cost of £2. Bring your own refreshments.

The next event is the ever popular fashion show on Thursday, November 13. The next meeting of the Kyle Association is on Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm in the staff room. All welcome.

THE STUDENT Sports Council, headed by Miss Wilson, Leigh Phillips, Samantha Lee, Rachel Hunter, Kirsty Peters, Gregory Ferry, Michael McManus, Kate McManus, Walid Sahid, Ashleigh Jamieson, Sean Walker and Rosie Carr have completed their plans for the new session.

Last year, the energetic team worked closely with feeder primary and nursery schools giving their assistance at Grammar Primary, Forehill Primary and Wallacetown Nursery's Sports Days, organising activities for Whitletts Primary Health Week (cheerleading, potted sports and unihoc), providing a gymnastics display to raise funds for a memorial bench for Andrew Young, surveying pupil views about recreational activities available at lunchtime and subsequently organising a lunch time dance club. A presentation to cluster head teachers won their support to organise a Mass Primary Sports Festival which helped the young people meet and make new friends before moving to Kyle Academy.

This year, their plans are even more ambitious! The team wish to maintain existing links with local primary and nursery schools.

The Mass Festival for primary 6 pupils will be repeated in the summer term and the team will be delighted to assist at all health promotion events in the cluster. The pupils noticed that netball, which traditionally has been a very popular sport at Kyle Academy was not attracting the usual numbers. They sought the support of the Primary Active Sports Coordinator who has helped three primary colleagues to take on netball training at each school. Two special netball festivals will be organised in November and March to encourage skills development, enjoyment and socialising across all cluster schools. Meanwhile senior girls who play netball for Ayrshire will work to achieve their first level netball coaching award so that they can teach the youngsters at the festivals.

THE SCHOOL are considering organising a bus to allow supporters to attend the Shakespeare Festival in the Mitchell Theatre on Thursday, October 9. The drama club will perform a 40 minute production of The Merchant of Venice. Three other schools will also perform.

PARENTS are reminded that we require a return from every parent indicating whether or not their son or daughter's photograph can be used in school publications (eg Parent Bulletins) etc. A form to request a parental decision was issued in August. Additional forms can be collected from the school office if you have misplaced the previous one.

YOU may recall that Miss Findlay and Miss Wilson set up a new Musicals Appreciation Club this session. It appears that the recent excursion to Flashdance: The Musical was a great success. A second jaunt to the theatre is planned for Tuesday, November 18 when the group plan to travel to the Edinburgh Playhouse to see Boogie Night. So if you want to boogie along, tickets are on sale for £11 on a first come first served basis.

THE POPULAR guitar club is up and running once again. They meet on Wednesdays at lunchtime in the Pupil Support Base. Speak to Mr McMillan if you would like to come along. All welcome.

HISTORY students enjoyed a day out on when they visited New Lanark, the historic mill and village. The visit was a great success and group leader, Mrs Gardiner thanks all pupils who took part, for being excellent ambassadors for the school. Thanks to you too Mrs Gardiner.

FOURTH year pupils are beginning the process of planning their week of work experience in October with the help of Miss Findlay. Pupils have to select three choices from the placements available. Miss Findlay will start allocating jobs now, so get your choices in quickly to avoid disappointment. The first half of the year group will undertake their work experience on week beginning Monday, October 20, immediately after the October break.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs Scobie who won the coveted prize of a weekend in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Edinburgh. Thanks also to the generous parent who donated the prize.