Ayr Academy: 4 February 2009

Feb 6 2009

ON Monday, January 26, a group of S4 Standard Grade geography pupils accompanied by Mrs McAllister took part in a field trip to two farms in South Ayrshire. At both locations they were given a talk by the farm managers explaining the operation of the farms and some current farming issues.

Morriston Farm by Culzean is a crop-growing farm, and pupils were shown the stored crops and farm machinery as well as walking around the fields and hearing about conservation of the environment. Garryhorn Farm near Maybole is a large modern dairy farm, and pupils had a chance to see the milking taking place. Several brave individuals made an effort to help with the milking process.

AYR Academy are holding a fashion show on Thursday, March 19. The event is in aid of Children in Need and CHAS. Tickets can now be purchased at the school office priced at £3 for adults and £2 for children and OAPs. Refreshments and raffle tickets will be available on the night.

SCHOOL librarian Heather Stewart has created a new wee wiki page exclusively for the 250th Rabbie Burns anniversary celebrations, you can also link to the wiki from the library’s blog, juist bletherin’ an’ guid craic!

It’s Heather’s fond hope that o’er the coming weeks this webpage will function as platform for Ayr Academy’s ain honest men and bonny lasses to submit school work – artwork, poems, songs, podcasts of recitals, recipes, history essays etc – in celebration of Ayrshire’s most famous son and oor mither tongue!

There’s already a lot of cool poems from S1 English on the page, and podcasts of recitals/music by our talented pupils and staff from a previous Burns Supper!

THE ART department’s Piece of the Month for January is by Kathleen Barrie of 3K1, a still life piece. Kathleen’s work focused on composition, proportion and the use of the cross hatching technique to blend Caran d’Ache pencils.

Well done Kathleen! Her piece is on display in the art department foyer.

THERE is an outing pending for 1G2 for raising the most money in the school’s annual sponsored walk which took place last term. The following pupils also received a generous HMV voucher for their individual fundraising efforts: Eilidh Fleming of 3K1, Ryan Capperauld of 1G1 and Andrew Bostock of 3G1. A grand total of £3386.65 was raised for school funds by all participants.

S3 AND S4 Standard Grade physics pupils were given a presentation by Dr Judith Sagan-Setchell, Director of Physics for the University of the West of Scotland, on Wednesday, January 21.

The presentation was called Imaging through the Spectrum. Dr Setchell explained how imaging of the body had changed over the years, and showed images taken at different wavelengths. She also was able to demonstrate, using an endoscope, how surgeons can look inside the body. Some pupils were able to get up close and personal and see parts of their body in a new light.

Dr Setchell also demonstrated how scientists have improved our ability to look at stars, with improved imaging techniques.

S4 PUPILS Jordan Smith and Jack Findlater featured in the January edition of Your Business magazine.

Jordan and Jack were pictured and interviewed about their recent work experience programmes. Both Jack and Jordan attended a local Toyota dealership, where Jordan worked in the parts department – helping to deliver parts to other garages and pricing cars on the forecourt. Jack enjoyed his time in the workshop and was involved in many jobs including changing tyres and balancing them, draining oil and helping with MOTs and services.