Ayr Academy: 22 January 2009

Jan 23 2009

CONGRATULATIONS to Erin Bell who had her eco friendly poem published in the Big Green Poetry Machine book, which she also received a copy of. Twenty S2 pupils entered the Young Writers 2008 Poetry Competition, The Big Green Poetry Machine. The pupils were asked to write a poem about what is happening to the planet today and how it can be saved.

LAST month the following four S6 pupils were awarded their silver Duke of Edinburgh Award: Hugh McQueen, Claire Mitchell, Mark Smith and Laura Turner. They will officially receive their certificates on Monday, February 23. Thanks to Ms McCabe of the social subjects department for assuming responsibility for this group during Mrs Kelly’s maternity leave.

THE ART department’s Piece of the Month for December was the official school Christmas card for 2008. S1 pupils created decorative letters for the school’s Christmas card design using a hand drawn lettering technique which they learned earlier in the term. They then applied colour and pattern to make the letters look decorative. Special thanks to the following pupils whose work was selected for use on the final design: Shauni Porte, Amber Holland, Rebecca Wilson, David Wade, Ashleigh Dickson, Glen McKay, Allyson Murphy, Alexis Williams and Kirsty Smith.

NOMINEES for the maths department’s Wall of Fame for December are: Katie McLarty of 3G1 for most successful learner; Kelsey Kordakis of 4C1 for most confident individual; Stephanie Swailes of 3K1 for most responsible citizen, and Claire Wallace of 6.2 for being December’s most effective contributor.

TREE of Knowledge were back in school on Wednesday, January 14, to work with all S3 pupils on motivational techniques and study skills. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the workshop sessions delivered by Gary, the company’s training manager. Some pupil evaluative comments included “I learned to work as part of a team and to communicate with others,” Heather Brown 3G1; “Different activities that required different amounts of skill were fun and challenging,” Cameron Taggart 3G1; “It gave me a new technique for studying,” Ben Rowe 3C1; “We learned about the brain and how it works,” Ashley Leckie 3C1.

Gary also delivered an amusing and interactive information session to parents in the evening. This was part of the school’s official Parent Council events programme.

S5/6 are currently preparing for their preliminary examinations which run from Monday, January 26, to Wednesday, February 4, inclusive. Pupils are expected to resume their normal timetable on Thursday, February 5. All pupils have been issued with a detailed and comprehensive study pack courtesy of the RMPSE department and are expected to be fully engaging with this excellent resource.

STAFF are currently completing S4 full profiles which should be with parents in early February. Parents are also reminded of the forthcoming Parent’s Evening for S3 on Tuesday, January 27, at 7pm.

Parent Council members are reminded that the next meeting is on Monday, January 26, at 7pm.

FOLLOWING the school’s recent ECLL self supported evaluation visit, the very positive final report has now been published and sent out to all parents.