Belmont Academy: 12 February 2009

Feb 13 2009

ALL pupils in second year had the importance of healthy eating reinforced when a representative of the Food Lab organisation visited the academy and made a series of presentations to the year group.

The importance of diet and the effects that the wrong diet can have were stressed.

As part of the activities healthy pizza was made, while the ingredients of an average burger were assembled. The tasting of the pizza proved popular, while pupils were amazed at what went into a burger. Would they have one in the future? Possibly not.

WITH Susan Mills in the chair, the Parent Council met last week, joined by Councillor Ian Douglas. In his head teacher’s report, Mr Moir highlighted all that had been taking place within the school since the last meeting of the council.

One future event to raise funds for the school which was discussed was the gourmet evening scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, featuring Craig Hogarth, chief chef of the Carrick Lodge and Blair Tavern. Tickets for this, costing £5, will be available from this week and can be obtained from Mr Moir. In the past this has proved to be hugely popular and the council are sure that it will be similarly well supported.

A SAMPLE of pupils drawn from second and fourth year took part in a national survey on tobacco, alcohol and drugs, which is being held across the country. The completed questionnaires are now posted and we look forward to the published analysis.

Thanks to Frank Henderson, principal teacher of guidance, for pulling this together.

THE PRELIMS for the senior school are now complete and marked examination papers are being returned. The parents’ night for S5 and S6 is on Monday, March 2.

AN early reminder to members that the AGM of the 999 Club will be on Wednesday, February 25, here at the academy.

CONGRATULATIONS to the under 14 basketball team who competed against Cumnock Academy and won 83-23, with Joshua McGilvray being the top scorer. Well done everyone.

ALL members of staff, teaching and non teaching, are currently involved in training to make best use of the national website Glow, managed by Learning and Teaching Scotland. Training has taken place in twilight sessions and during the school day in order to give staff the knowledge and skills to access the large range of information available on Glow.

The school’s Glow member, Ronald Campbell, is working to ensure that everyone is thoroughly familiar with this great ICT venture.

SEVERAL Belmont pupils were competing in the Scottish Schools Indoor Athletics at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow on Thursday, February 5. There were some excellent results: Caroline George, 2nd under 16 60M, 1st under 16 200M; Finlay Rae, 2nd under 16 1500M; James Gaffney, 7th under 16 shot-put; and Andrew Rae, 4 mins 30 secs over 16 1500M, which was within two seconds of his personal best.

WELL done to the boys and girls teams who took part in the Coca Cola Sevens at Greenwood Academy. The boys under 13 squad played three, drew two and emerged as joint top in a three way split, but lost out in goal difference. The girls under 14 team played six and won six without conceding a goal and now progress to the second round. Thanks to Mr Rafiq, Miss Rooney and PC Jack for all their work with the teams.

FOURTH year students Rachel Haugh, Scott Hogg and Stephen Wallace acted as guides to MSPs Cathy Tomlinson and John Scott, and South Ayrshire Council’s Depute Chief Executive Graeme Peterkin, and showed them over our fabulous new school building.

PARENTS and other visitors to the school are reminded that the entrance to the school is now off Nursery Road. With the completion of the main drive, the entry from Peggieshill Road is for delivery traffic only.