Wednesday 16 July 2008

15th May 2008

Mr O’Rourke is the Scottish representative presenting a School Showcase at an international conference in Belfast this week. His topic is ‘Well-being in Doon Academy.’ We are all proud that our school is being recognized for its achievements.
Some of our S3/4 leadership graduates have been asked to give a presentation to Clackmannanshire Headteachers at their conference in the Westerwoods Hotel, Cumbernauld on Thursday of this week.
Leadership graduates will also be holding workshops for our P7s during the Doon Learning Partnership Literacy & Numeracy Day next week.
The Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop is visiting the school on Monday afternoon. The focus for her visit is to discuss and view the positive changes that have been made in Doon through our participation in the Schools of Ambition and 2020 Vision programmes.
During a recent visit to the ‘U can do it 2’ Roadshow at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Ashleigh Mitchell and Jennifer Phillips together won second prize in the fashion contest competition organized by Ayr College. The competition was to dress a dummy with materials supplied by the college. The girls have been invited to the College catwalk show where they will see their garment modelled. The garment will then be available for display in the school from July. Congratulations to Ashleigh and Jennifer.
Ten S2 boys went on an Ocean Youth Trust Scotland sailing trip with Billy Tomlinson and Mrs Bax. The boat sailed from Rhu to Oban via Arran, Gigha, Jura and Tobermory. The weather was good but the wind was too gentle and they had to motor a great deal. Everyone had a great time though cooking and cleaning for themselves as well sailing the yacht.
The Barcelona Trip information evening for parents will be held on Wednesday 21st May in the school library.
The Art Department staff is excited that the mobile art gallery exhibition ‘Re/trato’ will be visiting the school on the 4th June. Pupils and staff will be able to board the bus to view and admire the exhibits.
S2 pupils took part in the Maths examinations for the Scottish Programme of Achievement. This programme records how results from East Ayrshire compare to other areas in Scotland.
7 staff and 15 pupils are presently attending the Leadership Academy at Dalguise. More news on this event in next week.
The Doon Academy cricket teams won both their matches against Wellington School. The S1/2 team won by 6 wickets and the 3rd year team by 5 wickets. Man of the Match in 3rd year game was Cameron McCrorie. Well done boys and good luck for the summer season.
The staff in the French department have taken advantage of the good weather to teach pupils the art of petanque (French bowls). Also Majorie Kippert the French Assistante has been teaching pupils the ‘Hokey Cokey’ in French!
Pupils and staff from the Support for Learning Base visited the Glasgow Museum of Transport. They sat in Harry Potter’s car and the Balamory minibus, and saw the flight deck of Concorde. Everyone had a really great day.

2nd May 2008

Welcome back to student teachers Miss Smith in Art, Mr. Merry in PE, Miss Gillies in Maths who have begun their last 5 week teaching placement.
Doon Academy’s junior cricket team have a game against Wellington School. Good Luck Boys!
S4 examinations began on Thursday 1st May and S5/6 examinations begin on Monday 12th May. Good Luck to everyone taking their exams. Pupils return to school on Thursday 5th June for their S5/6 classes.
There will be an information evening at the end of May for parents of pupils who are attending the Barcelona visit in June. Parents will be notified of the date and time.
In the Art Department, student teacher Miss Smith is organising a visit to Kelvingrove Art Museum for S2 pupils.
Well Done to all the Art pupils who have completed their examination art folio. These have now been submitted to the SQA.
Doon Academy’s refurbishment is continuing and all rooms in Social Subjects have now had their windows replaced.

28th February 2008

The Scholastic Book Fair was in the school library last week, and was a great success. Pupils purchased a variety of books and stationery
World Book Day is taking place on Thursday, March 6. To celebrate, pupils are holding a “Match the Teacher to the Book” quiz.
World Maths Day will be taking place on the 5th March. Pupils from S1-S5 will be taking part in this challenge, which involves playing online against pupils from all over the world – answering maths questions of course!
S6 GOALS Top-Up students will be attending a Campus Day at the University of Glasgow where they will be meeting students and taking part in seminars and tutorials.
Doon Valley’s Cricket Club Annual Dinner and Prize giving will be taking place this month. Pupils from Doon Academy will be receiving prizes. Guest Speaker is Jim Connell, previously Scotland’s foremost umpire, from Glasgow’s Old Grammarians.
East Ayrshire’s Spring Spectacular Concert took place in Kilmarnock. S2 pupils Laura Halbert and Ryan McKnight sang in the choir. More news on this event next week.
Pupils undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award will be visiting the Police Training Centre to find out more about the work of the Strathclyde Police.
In our Comenius Project ‘Bridges4Europe’ the pupils and staff, from the schools in the partnership countries, have produced their 1st page of the project newspaper on the topic ‘My School, My Town’. The newspaper can be accessed through the school website.
Art pupils in S3 and S5 visited the Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show on Wednesday, March 5. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit and cannot wait to return!
The Doon Academy Supported Learning Centre held their Burns Supper in January and parents were invited to a coffee morning on Friday, February 29 to view the excellent DVD taken of the event.

21st February 2008

The annual ski trip for pupils to Aviemore was a great success. Ski conditions were excellent and the pupils were delighted by their experiences on the slopes.
Recently S2 pupils from Doon Academy took part in the “U can do it 2” workshops in the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock. These workshops, provided by local businesses, colleges and the armed forces, gave pupils a taste of life in various occupations and sectors of further education. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. Miss Borthwick from the English Department was responsible for all the organizing in the lead up to the visit and Mrs Stewart and Mrs Strachan accompanied her on the day.
Doon Academy’s Leadership graduates are attending an Aedips conference where they will be giving a presentation. More news on this next week.
Twelve S3 pupils attended a GOALS Campus Day at the Glasgow School of Art and Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama. The pupils really enjoyed their day working with mentor students taking courses at these universities.
In the English Department exciting new texts have arrived and pupils are looking forward to reading work by new authors.
S3 ASDAN Group attended a ski practice at the Newmilns Ski Slope. Everyone enjoyed their day.
In the P.E. Department, S1 boys’ football team and the school rugby team have games against Loudoun Academy, Good Luck Boys. S2 pupil Keiran Mullen is competing well in the Concept rowing challenge.
Mr. Gooding is organising a visit for his Biology Higher students to Edinburgh Zoo.
Lab in a Lorry for S1 and S2 pupils will be in school on the 18th March. Pupils will be taking part in science experiments.
S2 and S4 pupils are busy choosing their options for next session. If parents need any further information please contact Mrs. McLay or Mrs. Cassidy in the Guidance Department or look at the Option sheets on the pupils pages of this site.
Mr. McPherson our Physics Teacher is attending a three-day conference at CERN for European teachers. He is one of 20 teachers from the UK who are being sponsored for this conference. Mr. McPherson will work with other scientists and engineers from throughout Europe at the European Particle Physics Laboratory. Have a great conference!

Burns Supper 7th February 2008

Doon Academy’s 9th Annual Burns Supper was a great success and everyone had a wonderful evening celebrating the life and works of Robert Burns.
Keeping everyone to time was our Master of Ceremonies, Russell Marshall. An honoured guest, Karl Lees, piped in the haggis which was then addressed by Kyle McCormick.
Sharon McConnachie presented an informative ‘Immortal Memory’ and Lee Orr gave a witty ‘Toast to the Lassies’ which was admirably matched by a humorous reply from Kelsey Dunn.
School Captain Ashley Mora presented the ‘Toast to the School’.
First year pupil Paisley Grey performed a superb Sword Dance and the Doon Dancers gave an accomplished display of Scottish Country Dancing.
Recitations were by S1/2 Burns Verse finalists Gail Limond and Lisa Taggart.
Mr. Wilson was outstanding with his rousing and powerful performance of ‘Tam O’Shanter’.
The Burns Choir harmoniously sang some of our favourite Burns songs and Sarah Urie, Steffani Paterson and David McLean entertained us with their musical renditions.
Vote of thanks on behalf of the guests was by Dr. Robbie McMahon, President of Alloway Burns Club.
At the end of a marvellous evening the company gave a hearty rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Our thanks to all our invited guests, Lesley Baird President of Doon Academy Burns Club, Dr. and Mrs. Morrall, President of Ayr Burns Club, Mr. Graham Short Executive Director of Education and Social Services East Ayrshire, Councillor Filson and Councillor and Mr. Dinwoodie.
Next year will be Doon Academy’s Burns Club 10th anniversary and we look forward to meeting everyone again at our 2009 Burns Supper.

28th January 2008

Doon Academy’s team of S3 Business Management pupils attended the Stock Exchange Challenge at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. Our team competed against pupils from other schools in the West of Scotland and experienced how to live through a week in the life of a trader on the Stock Exchange by buying and selling shares. The team managed to invest wisely and ended the challenge with more money in their portfolio. Well Done to Lesley Baird, Claire Connell, Lorna Brown, Alan Napier and Allan McDonald. The team were accompanied by Mrs Stewart from our Business Education and ICT Department
Doon Academy’s annual Burns Supper will be held on Wednesday 6th February 2008. Our 9th Supper promises to be a great evening with pupils performing Burns speeches, recitations and songs. Chairperson will be 6th year Russell Marshall. Tickets £5.00 available from Mrs. Cassidy at the school.
In the Concept 2 Rowing programme we have two pupils at the top of the world rankings for their age group. Keiren Mullen in the 1000 metres and Calum McLarty in the 500 metres. Congratulations to them both.
Exciting news from the Art Department staff who are arranging a visit to the jewellery exhibition at the Glasgow School of Art.
In Work Experience, three 3rd year pupils are attending for a week on the Fire Outreach Programme at Cumnock Fire Station. Five 4th year pupils are attending Ayr College for a week learning Construction Skills.
In preparation for their ski weekend in Aviemore 20 pupils attended the Newmilns ski slope to develop their skills.
Pupils in Modern Languages will be taking part in a Spanish Cooking Day. They will be preparing, cooking and eating tasty Spanish dishes. Ole!
Support for Learning Department will be piloting a new reading programme ‘Read, Write, Here’ developed by retired teacher Miss. O’Rourke.
GOALS Campus Day, for 3rd years, at the RSAMD and GSA will be taking place on February 26th.

18th January 2008

Their BBC Mentor, Mike Higgins, visited Doon Academy’s S2 BBC School News Reporters. Mr. Higgins spoke to the pupils about the importance of deadlines in news reporting and about his work on the BBC news. The reporters enjoyed meeting Mr. Higgins and are looking forward to working with him in the future on BBC School News Report.
Doon Academy has been successful in the Royal Society of Art competition for the second consecutive year, winning two highly commended awards. S1 pupil Stephen Grant and Tazmyn Hearton (S3) have both won awards for their artwork. Tazmyn’s work has even been chosen as the image for next year’s poster! Well done to both Stephen and Tazmyn for their achievements!
The Shooting Starts exhibition, films made by S3 pupils and Colombian filmmaker Sergio, premiered on Thursday, January 15. The exhibition was a great success. S3 pupils enjoyed working with Sergio for the duration of the project.
Mr. McPherson Physics Teacher is holding a competition in school to design a drum kit for his band ‘HeHatesUs’.The idea is to complete a design for the front of the bass drum; however it must either follow the general design of the band’s logo, or include the logo in the design. The competition is open to all pupils, and staff, who wish to provide a design. Last date for entries is the 15th February. The band will then pick one of these to be made into the final design. There will be a fabulous prize for the winning entry. Further information is available from either Mr. McPherson or the Art department.
Reports for S4-S6 are being written now and should shortly be sent to parents. There will be a parents evening for pupils in S4-S6 on Wednesday, January 30 5.30pm-7.30pm.
The Barcelona trip in June for pupils in S2-S6 is progressing well. Deposits are being collected now and forms have to be returned as soon as possible to the Art department!
The Art department will be welcoming student Judith Smith to the department on January 29. Everyone is looking forward to working with Judith during her time at the school.