Kyle Academy: 6 November 2008

Nov 7 2008

THANK you, and congratulations to some of the sixth year captains who gave up a day of their October holiday to work with staff on the October in-service day.

The staff were spending the day considering the Scottish Government's proposals to review the national qualification structure and their plans to deliver a Curriculum for Excellence. The group took to the stage to be interviewed by the head teacher, and other staff about their experiences of the existing qualification structure and their views on the proposed changes.

Following a presentation by the head teacher on Curriculum for Excellence, staff and pupils then considered the results of the recent survey of pupil views. In particular discussions focussed on how they could give pupils more say in making learning better in school. The pupils then worked in small groups with staff to identify strategies used in departments which were already giving them a voice in this respect. The groups then considered how pupils and staff could work together to improve learning. In an evaluation of the events, all staff gave their support to the principle of learning together with young people and all staff agreed that they had learned something from young people. They hope to arrange similar events in the future involving a wider range of pupils from different year groups.

Thank you to head boy Jamie McFadzean, head girl Michaella McDowall, depute head boy Ross Gilfillan, depute head girl Mairead McCrossan and school captains, Samantha Lee, Stewart Martin, Jamie Hislop, Laura Blair, Heather Carrington and Jillian Rae for taking part.

TICKETS are now on sale for the annual fashion show. The show will take place in the new hall on Wednesday, November 12 at 7.30pm. Tickets costs £5 for adults (which includes a refreshment) and £3 for children. Please note that ticket numbers are limited to 300 and will sell out quickly.

AT the recent Shakespeare Schools Festival, which took place in the Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow, the Festival directors heaped praise on Kyle Academy's production of The Merchant of Venice. The pupils were highly commended for their acting skills, their interpretation of the play and their impressive team work. Special mention was also made of the high quality of the music and dancing.

The music was composed by Peter Porrello of S5 and he and Kate McManus (also S5) acting as minstrels, played a range of instruments live on stage. Portia's Theme and the Venetian carnival music added a truly magical effect to the show. The choreography was arranged by Hope McMillan of S2 and her team included Kali Fyfe, Ctney Campbell and Megan Bathgate. The grace and beauty of the dancers added to the overall effect and provided good links between scenes.

On the acting side, Sam Stopford of S3 was sensational in his role as Shylock and he captivated the audience in the famous Trial scene. Andrew McCabe, Ross Watson and Lewis Cassidy portrayed their respective roles as Antonio, Bassanio and Graziano extremely well. Gina Lyle was captivating in her role as Portia, ably abetted by Jordyn Carson as Nerissa.

Stephen Wallace and Stephanie Freeman played young lovers Lorenzo and Jessica well, Alexander Henderson and Callum Mcdonald made two fine Princes, Ryan Davidson a highly impressive Duke and Nathan Stockman as Launcelot Gobbo and Callum Kerr as Tubal added great hum to the play.

Thanks are also due to Laura Blair, Michaella McDowall and Jillian Rae of S6 for their help with make-up and props.

The Drama Club would like to thank PC John Munn for his generous donation which enabled us to hire some authentic costumes. He and Mr Scott Sargent were a great support on performance night

MR Gibson of the English department, who has a delegated responsibility for the Accelerated Reader Scheme in first year, is setting up a new club on Tuesdays at lunchtime.

He proposes to set up an organising committee for the club who will be responsible for competitions, advertising and engagement for pupils to get actively involved in the scheme.

CONGRATULATIONS to senior pupils Leigh Phillips and Genna Christie who were selected to attend the Scottish netball trials. The girls narrowly missed out on a place in the team getting through to phase two of the selection process on the day. Their attitude and commitment are to be commended.

THE AYRSHIRE schools netball league is due to commence this month and has been the most successful year for entries with 12 teams at S1/2 level, 9 teams at S3/4 and 7 teams at S5/6. Good luck to all five teams from Kyle entering the competition.

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss McLeod and excellent team of pupils who took part in South Ayrshire Mini Trials on Saturday, October 3.

The team were the youngest taking part, competing with teams of senior pupils from other schools. The experience provided an excellent testing ground for younger pupils, to develop the skills they will need to compete in the Citizenship Foundation Mock Bar Trials when they are in senior school.

The advocates on the day were third year pupils Sam Stopford (pictured above) and Chris Miller, both in third year. Witnesses included Ross Watson and Jordyn Carson also of third year. Thanks also to Alison McClelland of fifth year who helped out by playing the part of Clerk of Ct - a role she will be playing in the Mock Bar Trials later in the year.

A NUMBER of parents' evenings are planned for the autumn term. An information evening for parents of second year pupils considering their subject choices for third year took place on Tuesday, November 4. The formal S2 Parents Evening will take place at 7pm on Thursday, November 20. The S5 and S6 parents evening will take place on Thursday, November 27. There will be a special information evening for parents of primary seven pupils who will be moving to Kyle Academy next session. This will take place on Tuesday, December 2. The first year parents' evening will take place on Tuesday, December 9.

The annual school fashion show will take place on Thursday, November 12 at 7.30pm in the new hall. Please book early as ticket numbers are limited.

The annual talent show, held to raise funds for Children in Need, will take place on Thursday, November 13 in the new hall. Parents are most welcome to attend and always do. However ear plugs are advised for anyone who has an aversion to loud rock music!

There is a St Andrew's Night Ceilidh on Friday, November 28 in the new hall. Tickets are now on sale at school at a cost of £10. A live ceilidh band will provide the music.

The first, second and third year Christmas party will take place on Tuesday, December 16 with the senior party for fourth, fifth and sixth year taking place the following evening, Wednesday, December 17. The Christmas carol concert will take place on Thursday, December 18 and the Gymnastics Club will be putting on a display on Friday, December 19 and Monday, December 22.

THE NEXT meeting of the Parent Council will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, November 25. Parents are most welcome to attend to observe any meeting of the council.

THIRD year pupils took part in their annual health fair on Friday, October 31. This year some new

activities were added to the programme. All pupils took part in at least one practical activity during

the day. They could choose from a session on Healthy Eating or Body Combat. Other options included drug awareness, alcohol awareness, health and mind, Young Carers and domestic violence. Thank you to adult providers who included PC Munn, Michelle Sloan, Marion Brown, Kirsty MacKay, Craig Hogarth, Shirley Middleditch and Sandra Paton.

THE GUITAR club, run by Mr McMillan of the Pupil Support department is a popular extra-curricular activity in the school. The Kyle Parents' Association have gifted the sum of £265 to allow club members to buy new instruments, tuition books and a digital tuner. This is greatly appreciated by staff and pupil members.

MR Paul is organising an outing for Scotland Supporters Club on Wednesday,November 19. This time the team are off to see Scotland play Argentina at Hampden. Tickets cost £12 and will be sold on a first come first served basis.

PC Munn has organised yet another trip to Blackburn Rovers for Saturday, December 6 when the team will be playing Liverpool FC.