Ayr Academy: 19 November 2008

Nov 21 2008

ON Wednesday, November 5, 53 S5/6 pupils attended a showing of The Kite Runner film at Ayr’s Odeon cinema, accompanied by Mrs Curran and Mrs Boag of the English department.

The trip was organised as part of National Schools Film Week, ran by Film Education, which is the largest programme of free screenings in Europe. S3 RME pupils also attended as part of a current unit of work on war in different cultures across the world.

CONGRATULATIONS to S5 pupil Amy Brown, who has been selected for the International Junior Under 25s Indoor Bowls team. Amy will compete for Scotland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, mid January.

Well done also to Kirstin Kirkland of S3 and Alana Murray of S5 who have been selected to play for the Ayrshire Under 15 Netball team and Ayrshire Under 17 netball team respectively. Kirstin has also been selected to trial for the Scottish Under 15 squad.

On Monday, November 10, S3/4 girls’ netball team beat St Joseph’s Academy 12-1 in an Ayrshire schools league game.

Our senior boys’ rugby team performed well in a friendly match at Rozelle on Thursday, November 6, beating Girvan Academy 29-21.

Our junior girls’ football team drew 3-3 with Belmont Academy on the same day at the Old Racecourse. Player of the match was Coral Donnelly of S2.

Our S3 boys under 15s football team beat St Joseph’s Academy 4-1 on Tuesday, November 11. They are now in the quarter finals of the Ayrshire Cup. Man of the match was Callum Aitken.

A GROUP of 11 S5/6 pupils attended The Glasgow School of Art open day recently. Pupils were accompanied by art and design teacher Mrs K Cairns and classroom assistant Mrs A Brady. The programme of events included information on the admissions process, advice on putting together a folio, and tours of the campus led by a team of student guides.

ON Wednesday, November 12, all S6 pupils attended the Big World Conference run by Strathclyde Police in the Walker Halls in Troon. Pupils experienced various presentations and workshops on raising awareness of drugs, alcohol and domestic abuse.

SOCIAL subjects students have been busy in the past few weeks. Advanced Higher pupils Lucy Theaker, Kirsten Russell and Ruairidh Anderson interviewed local MSP John Scott, who visited the school recently to meet with and be grilled by our pupils on the re-introduction of the death penalty.

S5 pupils Leslie Nant and Kirsten Nicolson were invited to an event on commission on Scottish devolution at Western House on Wednesday, November 12. The girls were the only two representatives from South Ayrshire secondary schools.

S4 history pupils recited their own WWI poetry at a special coffee morning on Tuesday, November 11. This was arranged by Mrs Gallacher of the social subjects department to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Great War. All proceeds are going to the Earl Haig fund.

THE PARENT Council held a successful and well attended event on Wednesday, November 12. The aim of the evening was to provide advice to parents on how they can support pupils in their studies. Nick Quinn, depute head teacher, led the presentation which was both amusing and informative.

Parents will also be receiving a letter soon providing details of the school’s new homework/study support club, which will run on a Thursday after school in the library starting on Thursday, November 20. This club is open to pupils in all year groups. Teaching staff and senior pupils will be on hand to provide help and support with homework, projects and coursework.

S1 parents’ night will take place on Wednesday, November 19, which is also an open day for Newton and Dalmilling parents to visit the school and see their pupils in action. Annbank and Coylton parents are invited to the second S1 open day on Wednesday, November 26.

TREE of Knowledge will be back in school on Friday, November 21, to work with S4 pupils. The focus of the workshops will be on the development of motivational techniques and study techniques in preparation for the forthcoming S4 prelim exams, which start on Monday, December 8.

S4 pupils have recently completed their work experience inserts and positive feedback has been received from both pupils and local employers on these experiences. A particular success was Fraser McKenzie, who completed a highly successful and enjoyable placement on Ayr Hospital’s hospital radio.

SCHOOL librarian Heather Stewart launched the new library blog recently. Heather created her blog Juist bletherin an’ Guid craic in order to post library news and updates for library clubs (Manga on Monday after school and Warhammer on Wednesday after school) and to allow pupils and staff the opportunity to share their thoughts and post reviews about the latest books and coolest reads.

The Book of the Month for November is James Frey’s Bright Shiny Morning.

THE PHYSICS department organised a trip to the Glasgow Science Centre on Thursday, November 6. All S3 physics students attended, accompanied by physics teachers Mrs K McDonald and Mr J Robertson. Pupils explored the science mall and participated in lots of hands-on activities involving the latest technology.

THE BUSINESS education department are entering three S5/6 teams for the Virtual Portfolio Challenge. Pupils have to invest a virtual sum £100,000 in stocks and shares from the beginning of November until the end of February 2009.