Prestwick Academy: 18 February 2009

Feb 20 2009

FIVE pupils from Prestwick Academy, accompanied by Mrs Geddes (history), attended the recent opening of the Ayrshire Confucius Classroom hub in Grange Academy, Kilmarnock.

At the event, Mr Yip, a Prestwick Academy parent and member of the local community, gave a demonstration of T’ai Chi, which he had also taught to the group during recent visits to the school. The pupils, Amy Yip (S1); and Amber Chan, Katie Beadle, Ross Dempster and Amy Miller (S2), also worked on Tangrams, origami, Chinese language and lantern making as part of an international education project.

Throughout last week, the eco group were selling individually crafted Valentine cards and also organised a school postal service for all pupils (and staff) in Prestwick Academy. Proceeds of the event will be used to purchase gardening tools for the group.

Third year accountants are selling a limited number of Prestwick Academy pens at £2 each. Please support this enterprising initiative – all profits will go to charity. Buy now to avoid disappointment.

In the history department, S3 and S4 students have been creating board games to help with revision in Standard Grade lessons. With the assistance of class teacher Mrs Geddes, the pupils had to construct a board game, cost it, name it, design it, and write rules for play. It is hoped that games developed though this enterprising activity could be produced and distributed to aid revision for Standard Grade history work in other schools.

A masquerade disco will be held in the school for all S5 and S6 students on Thursday, February 26. Tickets on sale soon.

ALL S2 pupils are currently being supported in making their options choices as part of their PSE programme. The pupils will be issued with choice booklets and will have an individual interview with their guidance teacher. An information evening for parents will be held in the school on Wednesday, February 18, from 7pm.

IN volleyball, the S3 girls fought hard and played well in their Scottish Cup match at Marr College, but unfortunately lost two sets to one in a tightly contested match. Players were Claire Ramage, Kate Dalziel, Luci Bryson and Gemma Rogerson. The senior boys lost their quarter final tie in another tight match at the hands of Stonelaw High School, two sets to nil. Players were Liam Fleming, Shaun Sutherland, Craig Picken, Daniel Mosson, David Harvey, Sammy McGhee and Brodie Legatt.

THE S1 Coca Cola 7s boy’s team successfully won their first round group at Greenwood Academy to qualify for the regional finals in March. Players were Cameron Taylor, Sean Ewart, Neil McPherson, Grant McGeehan, Aiden Connor, Alan Forrest, Steven Poulter, Liam Anderson and Steven McKay.

THE UNDER 13s school football team were knocked out of the first round of the Scottish Plate on an away trip to Lenzie Academy. The game was contested under stadium lights on an all weather surface. Lenzie scored within five minutes when a scrappy clearance led to an easy goal and, shortly after, Prestwick found themselves 2-0 down. Aiden Connor – on his first game for the school – started to receive more of the ball and was running the right back ragged, showing off his flair, acceleration and dribbling skills. Aiden then went on one of his runs and finished from a tight angle with his left foot. Shortly after Daniel Steele hit a 50 yard clearance high and at the keeper who couldn’t save. Calum McLean demonstrated his speed, bravery and determination at the back to make a number of last ditch tackles from right back. With the score tied at half time, Prestwick dominated and Aiden continued to cause the opponents all sorts of problems, showing he has a top quality delivery as well. Prestwick missed some easy chances and then were made to pay in the last minute when some poor defending gifted the ball to the striker who coolly finished. Men of the Match goes out to the two new boys in the team, Aiden Connor and Calum McLean.

Any pupil interested in participating in the inter-house gymnastics floor sequence competition (to music) should see Miss Murray in PE as soon as possible. There will be an individual competition on March 16 and the pairs/group competition will be held on Tuesday, March 17, during lunch time.

Prestwick Tennis Centre still has places for S3-S4 girls who wish to try a number of activities including dance, body toning and tennis. Activities run every Thursday from 4pm to 5pm. Enrolment forms can be collected from reception.