Ayr Academy: 25 Febraury 2009

Feb 27 2009

CONGRATULATIONS to S5 pupils Amy Brown and Struan Candlish on being awarded full colours. Amy gained this prestigious recognition for her continued commitment to the school and in particular for representing Scotland at bowling; Struan gained his for receiving recognition at UK level for his skills and success in fishing and fly-tying.

The following eight S4/5 pupils were awarded half colour status for continued commitment to the life of the school: Madison Alexander, Elaine Ferguson, Lesley Finlayson, Megan McCallum, Lauren McHarg, Ainsley Martin, Katie Paschke and Aileen Rennie.

Congratulations and well done to all.

THE ART and design department organised their annual trip to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Thursday, January 29. The focus of the visit was to look at the work held in the collection by The Scottish Colourists and to participate in a hands-on workshop run by education officers at Kelvingrove. The visit reinforced practical and critical work undertaken in class as part of the Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 Art and Design courses.

ON Friday, February 6, a group of 30 pupils left for a ski trip to Austria. Organised by Mr Stanley of the PE department and accompanied by Miss Whittle (Pupil Support Department) and Miss Thomson (English Department), pupils visited the ski resort of Sportwelt Amade for five days of skiing. After 27 hours of bus travel, everyone was more than glad to get a good night’s sleep in the picturesque Gasthof Taferne. Pupils also participated in various après ski activities including a karaoke night and disco and were also were given the chance to sample the local dish, schnitzel. A presentation was held to reward the week’s efforts with prizes like The Most Spectacular Fall (awarded to Callum McKay of S6) and Most Enthusiastic Participator (Steven Borland of S1).

Some enthusiastic skiers are pictured, both on and off the slopes.

A WARM welcome to our most recent group of student teachers. They are Mr C White (maths), Ms L Maguire (English), Ms M Langridge (art), Ms R McGovern (RME) and Mr R Mayes (PE). We hope that they enjoy their time with us.

CONGRATULATIONS to Gillian Donoghue of the RMPSE department on her recent permanent appointment to the post of principal teacher of guidance. We wish her continued success in her post.

STAFF are currently completing both S2 and S5/6 parental reports. These will prove a useful starting point for parents when discussing forthcoming options choices for next session. The Parent Council have organised the following information evenings to which parents are both invited and encouraged to attend: Monday, March 2, for parents of current S4 pupils, and Wednesday, March 11, for parents of current S2. Guidance staff, year heads and staff from the careers service and Ayr College will deliver information sessions and provide advice to parents on the option choice process and next steps.

THE SCHOOL’S annual Burns Supper has been rescheduled and will now take place on Thursday, March 12. This change is to accommodate our French exchange visitors. Twenty-nine pupils and three teachers from the College Bellevue in Crosne, south of Paris, will be visiting the school from Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13. Planned activities include a pantomime trip, visit to Culzean Castle, and a day excursion to Glasgow. Pupils will spend a school day in Ayr Academy as part of their experience also! Thanks to the Parent Council for their assistance in arranging host families and evening meals for our visitors.