Kyle Academy: 14 January 2009

Jan 16 2009

HAPPY New Year to all members and friends of the Kyle Academy community, and readers of this column.

FIFTH and sixth year prelim examinations are looming. Study leave and examinations will begin on Monday, January 26. Pupils should return to school as usual on Friday, February 6. The school wishes all senior pupils well in the exams.

Mobile telephones, even if they are switched off, are strictly prohibited in the examination hall. This is in line with the policy of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Phones must be handed in to the school office prior to examinations if they have to be brought to school.

THE KYLE Parents’ Association Burns Supper will take place on Friday, February 6, this year at 7pm in the school dining hall.

This year’s celebrations are particularly special, as they mark the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth. As a result, Scots from across the world are being encouraged to return home to celebrate our national bard.

If you plan to bring any friends or relatives home to Ayrshire from other parts of the country or from further afield for our Burns Supper, then please let the school know to ensure that they receive an especially warm welcome.

The Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns will be proposed by Ayrshire lass, Sheriff Morag Galbraith, who now lives in Glasgow.

Mr Bartholomew, depute head teacher, will be proposing the Toast to the Lassies. Sandra McCallum, previously head of English at Kyle Academy, will provide the Reply. The last time these two spoke together was at Miss McCallum’s retiral dinner, when Mr Bartholomew paid tribute to Miss McCallum’s work at Kyle Academy. Both Miss McCallum and Mr Bartholomew were personally responsible for supporting the young people to win the Citizenship Foundation Mock Bar Trials so many times. The staff particularly enjoyed both speakers, so everyone looks forward to hearing them again.

This year the haggis will be toasted by Mr Paul, probationer teacher of geography. Entertainment will be provided by the pupils and staff of the music department.

Tickets are now on sale from the school office or from members of the Kyle Parents’ Association Committee.

THE NEXT meeting of the Parent Council will take place on Tuesday, January 27, at 7pm in the staff room. This month, council members will be meeting with the enterprising lads in Golden Graphics, who have been designing letter heads etc for the council. The boys will provide a short presentation on their work. All parents are welcome to observe any meeting of the council.

THANK you to all parents and friends of the school who attended the dance and gymnastics display just prior to the Christmas holidays. The girls underwent a rigorous training schedule, led by Miss Wilson, for many weeks in advance of the display. The standard of performances was very high. Pupils were also able to enjoy the display during lunchtime performances in the week before Christmas. The commitment to quality shown by the team was impressive. They also managed to raise £520 for Peru. Well done and thanks folks.

A SPECIAL event will be hosted on Wednesday, January 14, for fifth year pupils who are preparing to begin their prelim examinations. The event focuses on learning about learning and is designed to improve the motivation of pupils preparing for examinations. It was piloted with some fourth year pupils last session and received very positive evaluations from the pupils. It has been developed and delivered by Miss McCormack, Dr Mohan and Miss Currie.

EX-PUPIL, Daniel Walsh; young singer David Moore, and artistic director of Ayrshire Voices, Raymond Bramwell, want to ensure that more boys have the opportunity to sing. They are setting up the South Ayrshire Boys Choir which will provide a unique opportunity for a quality singing experience for the boys. Boys with treble voices (ie which haven’t broken) between the ages of 7 and 13 are invited to apply.

The first rehearsals will take place in St Columba’s Church, Midton Road, Ayr, on Sunday, January 18, and Sunday, January 25, from 3pm to 4pm. Application forms are available from the school office. Alternatively you can telephone 01292 264489 or email song@ayrshirevoices.co.uk for further information, or simply go along to the first rehearsals.

This is an excellent opportunity for boys to achieve high quality training and support to develop potential talents. Good luck Daniel – an excellent initiative!

THE ECO-SCHOOL Council have been ordering some new gardening equipment thanks to your support. Dr Mohan of the biology department encouraged pupils and their families to collect vouchers for the Morrisons Let’s Grow scheme. 1366 vouchers were collected. Thanks to all concerned.

A TABLE tennis club has been added to our extensive list of extra-curricular activities this term by Miss Wilson. The club will be held on Tuesdays at lunchtimes, but numbers will be limited to 20 pupils so please speak to Miss Wilson if you want to take part.

THE MUSICALS Appreciation Club have two new outings planned. They will go to see High School Musical in February and Michael Jackson’s Thriller in early March. Please contact Miss Wilson or Mrs Cravens. A list of all planned excursions is placed on the PE notice boards.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jennifer Thorne of third year who won the overall prize of a Nintendo Wii in the Bin It to Win It Campaign. Ainsley Little of third year and Jordan Stewart of second year also won £20 gift vouchers.

FOLLOWING the recent retirement of Dave Clark, educational psychologist, the school was delighted to learn that Moira Sweeney will once again be returning to the Kyle Cluster. Our thanks to Mr Clark for his work on behalf of our young people in recent years.

Heads and depute heads of all cluster schools also met with Catherine Reynolds this week, who was recently appointed as senior educational psychologist in South Ayrshire. The team discussed a number of Mrs Reynolds’ proposals for improvements to the service which received strong support from all in attendance.

IN keeping with tradition, members of the committee of the Kyle Parents’ Association will be having their annual night out on Friday, January 16. All welcome. Parents wishing to attend should contact Mrs Heather Kerr or Mr Jarvie.

THE SCHOOL extends a warm welcome to Mrs Lake, recently appointed principal teacher of mathematics. Mrs Lake took up her appointment on the school’s return on Wednesday, January 7. Miss Anderson will take up her post as principal teacher of religious, moral and citizenship education on Monday, February 2. Callum Robertson, the new science technician, will also be taking up his new post in January.

DON’T be surprised if the Kyle Academy campus looks like a building site again. Work has begun to install temporary portacabins in the front playground to house female toilets and pupil changing facilities for PE, as both areas are being upgraded this term.

STUDENT Council members have now agreed how they will spend their budget. Thanks to Mr Bartholomew and sixth year captains who have been guiding them through the process.

They have retained their commitment to improving the school environment and pride in the school. But this time their minds are on equal opportunities. They will purchase more seating for pupil social areas but their priority is to buy furniture which can be accessed by wheelchair users. They hope to purchase new bins for the playground too.

Two flag poles will be erected to display the Eco-School Green Flag and the school crest (the council is gifting the Eco-School flag pole to the school). They will also purchase some new lighting equipment for the new building so that the school can improve the concerts and community events.

The plans were approved by committee at the end of last session.