Prizegiving

We welcomed parents and guests to a packed assembly hall for our annual prize giving which was held on the afternoon of 27th June. Our guest speaker was Mr Graham Short, Executive Director of Education and Social Services, who delivered an inspiring and encouraging message to all our pupils.

Mr Mackenzie listed some of the many achievements of our pupils in the last 12 months. He said, “During this session our pupils went to the battlefields of Belgium; won their way through to the finals of the Vex Robotics Challenge in London; raised money for charities; walked, danced and sang as well as modelling on the catwalk. They competed in the Micro Tyco Challenge, the Interaction Initiative and the Sir Tom Hunter Challenge. They created a Doon tartan and Jamie McJannet was elected a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Some gave up their own time to the Ayrshire Hospice, they fundraised for Mary’s Meals and they worked in an orphanage in Romania.

The students were a credit to themselves, their families and this school as well as their community”. Frazer Buchanan is Dux of the School and all the prize winners were applauded and congratulated for their great achievements.

Mr MacKenzie also thanked all the school staff for their support for our young people and special mentions were made of retirees and staff who are leaving us for new pastures.

Sports Afternoon

On the 12th Of July the school held its annual inter-house games afternoon. The pupils of the school competed in a variety of sports to win points for their house. The afternoon was a great success with all pupils thoroughly enjoying themselves and all sports were played fairly yet competitively. As the results from each event were coming in it was clear it was going to be a very close contest, with the winners only being confirmed after the football had been completed. The eventual winners were Brandan house however, well done to all who participated in the afternoon making it a fantastic time for both staff and pupils.

School captains

Interviews were held recently for the Captain’s posts and the following appointments were made: Girls’ Captain: Lauren Shaw Girls’ Vice-captain: Tami McLelland Boys’ Captain: Frazer Buchanan Boys’ Vice-captain: Robbie Uriarte The panel of Mr MacKenzie, Mrs Allen, Mrs McLay and Mr Paton agreed that the quality of applicants’ responses and ideas, and their records of service to the school could hardly have been higher. We wish all captains well in their new roles within Doon Academy.

Drumlanrig Castle Trip

On Tuesday 25th June all of the pupils from the Supported Learning Centre took part in a trip to Drumlanrig Castle and Estate in Dumfriesshire. Pupils took part in a variety of different activities. A group of pupils had expressed in an interest in hiring Mountain Bikes and following some of the trails around the estate which they did with Mr Kerr. Other pupils took part in a Nature Trail looking for various different wildlife as well as flora and fauna. This supported the whole centre project that pupils had recently taken part in with Mr Wark studying the lifecycle of 10 caterpillars that we had in the centre as they turned into Painted Lady Butterflies. The weather was bright and sunny and all the staff and pupils enjoyed the day.

SLC Awards

On Friday 21st June the SLC held a small Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of pupils over the past year. Pupils have had success in a number of different events such as the Children in Need Talent show held in school, the East Ayrshire Boccia tournament and at the East Ayrshire Swimming Festival. The achievements and progress that pupils have made in their classes were also celebrated with Awards being given in Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing as well as in specific classes such as Media, Art, Science and Technical.  The S6 Leavers also attended the ceremony at which they were presented with a Graduation certificate and gift. Certificates and awards were presented by Mrs Andreen Shaw who had been the previous Principle Teacher of the Supported Learning Centre. Many thanks to her for taking the time to come. It was greatly appreciated by both the staff and pupils.

Football

Mr Orr's S1 football team had an end of season football match against Dalmellington Primary P7's. The final score was 5-4 to Doon Academy. Thanks go to Eileen Boyd and her team for allowing the students to train alongside them. Thank you also to Stephen McLelland for helping out on the day by refereeing the game. Well done to the P7's for taking part and giving the boys a challenge in their end of season game.

Congratulations and thanks  also goes to Reece Gallagher, Ciaran Gallagher, Corrie Nelson, Dean McWilliams, Ross Farrell, Scott Limond, Lee Uriarte, Tommy Smith and Kane Wharton for winning the game and committing themselves to the training throughout the year.

Fashion show

The Doon Academy Fashion Show was held at the M&Co fashion store in Ayr High Street. This spectacular event took place in the evening of Wednesday 19 June before a big audience which included pupils, parents and friends of the school.

This was an Art department initiative but a whole-school event because of the support given by other staff in the months prior to the event and, on the night, behind the scenes and even on the catwalk.

Pupil models and dancers were most impressive and so were the staff models (including Mrs Reid and Ms Fuller; and the usual suspects, Messrs McCrorie, Neill and Kelly who strutted, sashayed and posed as only PE teachers can). The show started with the pupils’ modelling their own creations on the catwalk assisted by compere, Lorna Dempsey. These were a riot of colour and showed imaginative use of materials. Shop staff and the audience agreed that they looked spectacular. The confidence of the boy and girl models was also impressive. The girls looked gorgeous with their hair styled by Classic Cuts in Dalmellington.   The Doon dancers also entertained the audience with a lively routine.

Later pupils and staff modelled M&Co’s summer clothing ranges. These also created a stir of excitement and caused the tills to ring. M&Co were a great support to the organisers in the months leading up to the event and the staff pulled out all the stops on the night of the show. There was a collection for the British Heart Foundation which raised over £50.00 for the charity.

Thank you very much Yvonne Bailey and your smashing team, Dorothy, Linda, Pauline, Lauren, Alex, Shirley and Tammie. Well done to all who helped to pull off a great evening.

Blackpool Trip

On Tuesday the 18 June 80 students from S1-S6 and 10 members of staff went to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The trip was very successful and the sun was shining. Both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed their day. Mr Kelly, PT of Guidance was even brave enough to go on the Pepsi Max after much persuasion from Mr Dunlop, Teacher of Maths. The favourite ride of the day had to be the Revolution.

Miss Fuller, PT of Art and Design, would like to thank all staff who helped supervise the trip.