Tuesday 30 January 2007

13th December 2006

Goodbye to Mr Redmond
Doon Academy’s staff and pupils wish to bid a fond farewell to Bill Redmond, Principal Teacher of Technical, who is retiring in December. Mr. Redmond has been a teacher at the school for 25 years and everyone will miss his cheery smile.

The Art Department’s silent auction raised the sum of £350.00 for school funds. Thank you to everyone who purchased artwork and to businesses in the community who donated prizes.


The Boxing Club is ongoing after school on Wednesdays.
In January some senior pupils will be trained in Mental Health First Aid to assist other pupils in the school.
Our student teachers, Miss McMahon in Art, Mrs. Murray in English, Mr. Carpenter in Maths and Miss Mitchell in Science have now returned to teacher training college. We wish them all every success in the future.
Mrs Nicol and pupils in her floral art club have beautiful Christmas decorations for sale.

8th December 2006

Welcome
A warm welcome to Euan Lees who has joined Doon Academy as a Community Link Worker. Euan attended Film School in London and has an interest in Film and Television Studies. He is looking forward to working with the pupils and staff of Doon Academy.
The first round of the Library’s Readers Cup will shortly be held in the school. See Mrs Bax for more information!
Art trips
There are some exciting Art trips taking place in the near future! S4 students will be visiting the Burrell Collection in Glasgow to see the jewellery display. Meanwhile, pupils in S3 will be going to the Imax Theatre to learn about animation. Watch this space for news on both of these trips!
The Art department are also very busy designing the set for the school pantomime, Babes in the Wood.
Last chance for pantomime tickets!
Babes in the Wood will be performed in the assembly hall on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th December at 7pm. Tickets are £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children. See Mrs Cassidy.
Prelims for senior students began last Friday, December 8. Good luck everyone!

30th November 2006

Art Exhibition
Doon Academy is having a Christmas art exhibition and a silent auction. This event will take place on Wednesday 6th December, 7pm – 9pm refreshments will be served.
Jewellery Trip
S4 pupils went to the jewellery collection in Glasgow, on Thursday 30th November, pupils found this a very interesting and informative experience.The artwork of Doon Academy pupils will be exhibited at the Doon Valley Museum until Christmas.
Prelims
S4 Pupils prelim exams began on Monday 4th December. Good Luck to everyone.
Science News
Mrs Brooksbank, Principal Teacher of Science has exciting news. In January 50 S2 pupils will be attending the Science and Engineering Faculty at University of Paisley where they will be taking part in hands-on experiments. Watch this space for more news.
Doon Panto
Tickets for the Doon Academy Pantomime ‘Babes in the Wood’ are selling fast. This traditional pantomime with Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Maid Marian, the evil Sheriff, an attractive Dame, Hoddit and Doddit together with the villagers and dancers is on Wednesday 13th December and Thursday 14th December at 7pm. Buy your tickets now from Mrs. Cassidy or telephone the school to reserve your tickets 01292 550521.



Great Expectations
S5/6 pupils, Lyndsay Angus, Kathleen Kennedy, Stacey McCulloch, Cara Templeton, William Millar, Calum Neil and George Phillips, together with Mrs. MacKenzie from the Business Education Department, attended an Enterprise Day called Great Expectations at Diageo in Kilmarnock. The pupils were given different business scenarios and had to work out how to make the greatest profit from investing in the Stock Exchange. The Doon team won the event despite being a team member short and were presented with a glass trophy and £50 for the school. Congratulations to our budding entrepreneurs.
Cut Out Knife Crime
Strathclyde Police were in school speaking to all students from S1 – S6 about Cutting Out knife crime.
EcoSchool
Mr Nisbet’s S3 Practical Craft Skills class are taking part in the EcoSchool project and would be grateful if all pupils could bring in clear plastic 2 litre soft drink bottles. The students will be making a recycled plastic bottle greenhouse which will be placed against the library wall and they need 800 bottles. So get collecting and put them in the bins provided around school. See Mr Nisbet if you would like more information on this exciting new project!
Goals
The GOALS team were in school last Thursday to speak to Art pupils concerning portfolio preparation.
Art Bus
On Monday, November 13 senior Art students went to James Hamilton Academy as part of the SQA’s Inspirational Art Bus project. The students saw examples of portfolios and went on a tour of the school. Everyone found this visit a very useful and enjoyable experience.

A silent auction of Art work will take place on Wednesday, December 6. Watch this space for more information coming soon!


Other News
S6 students went to the Big World Conference on Tuesday, November 14.
Students from S4 – S6 are working toward their December prelims.
A Parents Evening will be held on Thursday, December 7. All parents are welcome to attend and more information on the timing will be issued later.