Thursday 24 September 2009

School Captains

Congratulations to Lee Orr and Stephanie Roberts who have been elected as Doon Academy’s School Captains. They will be ably assisted in their duties by vice captains Jake Bunyan and Amy Fairbairn.

Fantasy Football

Mrs McClue, Acting Principal Teacher of Maths, is running a Fantasy Football league in the school. This league is open to students, teachers and parents. Each entrant is given a 'budget' with which they can create their own 'fantasy team'. Each team can be managed online. Entry costs £3.50. Participants can find out more and get entry forms from Mrs McClue. The entry closing date is 2nd October 2009.

European Day of Languages

To celebrate the European Day of Languages S1 and S5 pupils in the Modern Languages Department made some delicious French food. Staff and pupils enjoyed hot crepes with a choice of fillings, croissants and pains au chocolat.

Student teachers

We welcome two new student teachers to the school until the end of term at Christmas. Miss Lindsay Gilbertson in our Science department and Mr Dale Watt in our P.E. department. We wish them all the very best!

Scottish Agricultural College visit

On September 30th, 20 S2 pupils donned their wellies and waterproof jackets to visit the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive. The visit was designed to assist pupils in deciding their third year option choices by providing information on a wide range of subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Home Economics, Geography and Modern Studies. Pupils worked outdoors with 3 other academies and the Royal Highland Educational Trust.

Leadership Academy

The first Doon Leadership Academy of the new term is set to take place from the 5th – 9th October in Dalguise, Perthshire. On this trip, pupils will learn the essential skills of leadership such as integrity, focus and awareness. These skills will help the pupils in both school and future life. 12 students and 4 teachers will experience workshops that teach the values of leadership.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra visit

On September 23rd, two members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra visited the music department to work with students on a project called Masterworks 2009. This involved S4, 5 and 6 pupils taking part in a composing workshop based on the piece ‘Tryst’ by composer James MacMillan. Following this, students involved will attend a musical concert at the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock, to see this piece played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Gala Concert

Music students are busy rehearsing for the Instrumental Service Gala Concert in the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock. The concert will take place on September 30th and includes many different schools from East Ayrshire Playing a wide variety of instruments. Doon’s pupils will mainly be involved in the vocal and brass groups of the orchestra. Tickets are £5 and £3 concession and are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office. Telephone 01563544900

Thursday 17 September 2009

Sponsored Walk

Doon Academy's Sponsored Walk took place on the afternoon on Thursday 17th September. The students and staff undertook a 5K-walk beginning at the school, along Bellsbank Brae and through Craigengillan Estate. This event will help pupils and teachers raise money for the school. Funds will go towards educational trips and outings to help broaden our student's curriculum.

Leadership programme future

On Thursday 10th September, our Senior Leaders from the Leadership Academy met with Elaine Stewart, Chair of Dalmellington Partnership and The Zone Project Manager, to examine funding ideas for the school's leadership programme. This meeting followed on from the great success of our Summer Showcase in June 2009. The funds raised will be spent on Leadership Academies for further generations of students.

Leadership programme future

On Thursday 10th September, our Senior Leaders from the Leadership Academy met with Elaine Stewart, Chair of Dalmellington Partnership and The Zone Project Manager, to examine funding ideas for the school's leadership programme. This meeting followed on from the great success of our Summer Showcase in June 2009. The funds raised will be spent on Leadership Academies for further generations of students.

Activate

Doon welcomes back Nancy Law from Careers Scotland who will take the ACTIVATE group for students. ACTIVATE helps students develop skills and obtain the knowledge to assist them in moving on from Doon Academy to further education or into employment.

Cooking in the Kitchen

In Home Economics S1 to S3 pupils are entering a ‘Cooking in the Kitchen’ competition where the winners will be able to spend a day cooking with Rosemary McAllan. Entrants have to select their favourite recipe, which must include nourishing foods that can be locally sourced. Good Luck to all the participants.

Student teachers

Two student teachers will be on placement at the school from the University of West of Scotland. Miss Lynsay Gilbertson in Biology, and Mr Dale Watt in PE. Staff and pupils welcome them and wish them well with their teaching placement.

Literacy Across Learning

Doon Academy's teachers have scheduled a meeting with Literacy Across Learning Working Party (LALWP) to discuss the development of a booklet of literature activities for use in every subject. This will increase students' literacy skills through means of fun tasks and games.

Glow champions

Mrs Stewart and Mrs Bax recently attended Glow training at St Joseph’s Academy in Kilmarnock. Mrs Newall from the office has already received training to be an Administrator. The staff at Doon Academy will now be trained on how to use the system. Glow is an intranet for education, which it is hoped, will transform the way education is delivered in Scotland. Glow provides a safe environment for pupils and staff, and an area where personal programmes of work can be created, as well as resources shared throughout Scotland.

Friday 11 September 2009

OYT Trip


Brigid Stoney, Development Officer with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland visited Doon Academy to talk to the participants and their parents about the forthcoming OYT trip. She showed them a short video and some photographs to give pupils an idea of what to expect on the trip. She also responded to concerns about seasickness, food, bedtimes and home contact. After the presentation, pupils had a chance to look at a sea chart of the area where they will be sailing and to try on the waterproofs they will be wearing. A group of 5 boys and 5 girls from S3 will be participating in an OYT voyage from 5th to the 9th October, accompanied by Mrs K Bax from Doon Academy and Billy Tomlinson from Kilmarnock College. The trip will be from Greenock out into the Firth of Clyde area and back. All the pupils present were really keen to go after finding out about the trip.

Morrison's Let's Grow

Mrs. Elder’s S2 elective class are currently collecting Morrisons ‘Let’s Grow’ vouchers. These vouchers are available between now and 1st November, The group would like to collect as many vouchers as possible in order to obtain essential gardening supplies required to make improvements to the school gardens. Vouchers can be handed in at to the school’s social subjects department.

YIP World


Welcome to Gavin and Arlene from YIP World who are in school on Wednesday afternoons as part of the ‘Inspiring Scotland’ project. They are working with a small group of S3 pupils on teamwork building and confidence skills.

Zone

Doon Academy is working in partnership with The Zone as part of the ‘Youth on the Move’ project. Senior pupils are acquiring skills to support them in their transition into the world of work.

Art

Principal Teacher of Art, Mrs. Humes, attended a Teachers Forum at the Glasgow School of Art to discuss new admissions and to see examples of art portfolios. Mrs. Humes said’ It was a very interesting day and I enjoyed seeing all the portfolios of artwork.’

Young Enterprise

A Young Enterprise Group is being set up and they will be working on enterprising activities throughout the school.

GLOW

Mrs Stewart and Mrs Bax have been trained as Glow Champions for the school. They will now train staff on using Glow in the school. Mrs. Newall has been trained as Administrator for Glow.

Paris Trip

Bonjour. The Modern Languages Department is running a trip to Paris, in November, for the S5/6 French class. They will be visiting many of the famous Parisian sights, sampling French food and practising their French language skills. Bon Voyage!

Fantasy football

A fantasy football league will be starting up in Doon Academy. This is open to all pupils, parents and staff. Entrants manage their team online. Entry forms and further information from Miss. McClue in the Maths Department.

Thursday 3 September 2009

Sponsored Walk

The school sponsored walk will take place on the afternoon of Thursday 17th September. The 5k route takes in the Bellsbank Brae and the Craigengillan Estate. Pupils and staff will be raising funds for the school through this healthy and enjoyable sponsored activity. All funds raised go towards educational school visits to enhance the school’s curriculum.

Staff Working Groups

The first staff after school collegiate time meeting was held and the focus for discussion was Working Groups. These groups are linked to the 5 main entitlement areas on the improvement plan, which are Raising Attainment, Wider Achievement, CPD, Parents and Enterprise. Staff selected which of the working groups they wished to serve on during this academic year.

New College Courses

S5 and S6 students have begun College Courses on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Our students travel to Kilmarnock College to attend courses in Fashion and Textiles, Construction and The Performing Arts, and Ayr College for Sport and Fitness, Hairdressing and Beauty and Childcare. Also, our in-house S3 to S5 courses have begun in Engineering and Child Care.

Auchencruive trip

On September 30th, 32 students from S2, soon to be thinking about choices for their third year, will be going on a trip to Auchincruive for the day. There, they will be carrying out fieldwork, (experiments and investigations) outside in the fresh September air instead of the classroom. They will carry out studies in Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Home Economics. We hope they enjoy the day!

Higher Education Convention

The Higher Education Convention will take place on Tuesday 15th September at the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock. S5 and S6 students will be given the opportunity to talk to representatives from universities, colleges and professional organisations.

Art Club

Our Art teachers Miss Fuller and Mrs Hume are busying organising an after-school Art Club. Anyone who is interested in art as a hobby, that's students and staff, and for any busy art students who just need more time to complete their artwork, they are all more than welcome to attend. The Art Department is a friendly and welcoming haven for all those interested in art.

Prefects

Congratulations to Doon Academy's new senior prefects! The school now has 21 elected S6 prefects who will be assisting staff in the smooth running of the school. Elections for School and House Captains will take place this week.