Belmont Academy: 4 February 2009

Feb 6 2009

A LARGE and lively company assembled at the academy for the school’s annual Burns Supper, chaired by depute head teacher John Dunlop.

Thanks are due to Scott and Craig Hogg who played their violins during the meal; Peter Black, our principal teacher of music; Nan Walker, the principal teacher of home economics, and the ladies in her department – Moira Brown, Alice Blease, Sally Lesley and Rhona Cooper for all their work; the team of waitresses drawn from the third year, and to everyone who turned out to make this another splendid occasion.

FOURTH year pupils in Arran, Bute and Craig houses have just completed their week of work experience. The students had a taste of the demands of the workplace and this proved to be a very positive experience.

ORGANISED by principal teacher of geography, Iain Aitken, the regional finals of the South West of Scotland Inter Schools Geography Quiz was held last week. Belmont won through to the next round, which will be held in Larbert High School, Falkirk, on Friday, March 13.

CONGRATULATIONS to the boys’ team who, in taking part in the Open Boys Ayrshire Basketball League, won a convincing victory against James Hamilton Academy 41:20, with our top scorer being Lewis Ballantyne. Well done lads. This success continued in the Under 14 Boys Ayrshire League, when Belmont beat Auchenharvie 55:26, although we encountered stiffer competition in another match when Auchenharvie won 59:19.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kier Gilius, Francis Muir and Lindsay Morrison, who won through to the next round of the Rotary Club Youth Speak Competition.

PUPILS in all year groups had the opportunity to learn about the excellent facilities available at The Ark at the Citadel in Ayr. Having had the music, technology and chilling opportunities highlighted, we are sure that more of our pupils will take advantage of this great resource.

JIM Faddes from The Ark was in school last week and gave a presentation to all first and second year pupils on the need for internet safety. The presentation built on work already being undertaken as part of the PSE programme.

CONGRATULATIONS to head girl Joanna Wilson who will be the Euroschola delegate for Ayr Rotary Club at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

PUPILS and staff were encouraged last week to wear something tartan and contribute to fundraising to support work in Malawi – over £800 was raised.

PUPILS are already enthusiastically making their way to the modern studies department in order to take part in the National Youth Parliament competition. They intend to put forward a strong team so that they do well in the competition.

AS part of the government’s Determined to Succeed initiative, every school across Scotland is allocated money for pupils to use, having identified improvements that they would like to see in their schools. Last week, Pupil Council members presented the Belmont Academy proposal to a group made up of Susan Mills and Fiona Norval from the Parent Council, Councillor Ian Douglas, Loretta Lees from South Ayrshire Council, Stewart Nicholson from Kyle Academy and Kenny Low of Lowmac Alloys. The presentation went well and the proposals were approved. Thanks are due to visitors for finding the time to be with us.

CONGRATULATIONS to Caroline George who has been selected to represent Scottish Schools in the under 16 Ladies International Athletics Championships which will be held in Cardiff.