The showcase was staged to show the benefits of our leadership programme to an audience of employers, community leaders and parents and to develop partnerships which would provide options for the shape and direction of the leadership project in the post-Schools of Ambition funding era.
This showcase was planned and delivered by pupils who are graduates of Doon Leadership Academy with support from Kilmarnock College and Ocean Youth Trust leadership participants.
Our pupil leaders are experienced presenters of leadership activities at local and national conferences and they have built the school's strong reputation in this area (see SOA - aCfE, Leadership page on www.doon.e-ayr.sch.uk/).
In the 5 weeks prior to the event pupils worked with a variety of partners:
- the school canteen were commissioned to prepare a special 4-course dinner;
- the music department willingly agreed to entertain guests on their arrival;
- the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce provided the database of business links;
- office staff managed the guest list and other arrangements;
- businesses and individuals with links to the school provided fabulous prizes and gifts for the raffle and auction;
- and a key-note speaker was secured.
The event was attended by 92 guests from 3 roughly equal groups of business leaders, community leaders and parents. They enjoyed musical entertainment from the school's junior silver band; a welcome speech from the head teacher; dinner; an auction and raffle; and the highlight of the evening – an interactive demonstration of the Doon leadership experience.
What did the event achieve?
Firstly, the event succeeded in its main aim which was to forge links which will allow the leadership project to grow in new directions. Local and national employers and community groups offered ideas and practical support and assistance in a variety of ways. For example:
- the Zone and Dalmellington Partnership supported and worked with us from the start of the project
- the local Co-op directed us to their own community fund;
- Stagecoach offered work placements and assistance with travel;
- a number of individuals told us about opportunities which will develop pupils' leadership skills and qualifications including service opportunities in the local community (Scouts/Beavers), BTEC training, and attendance at Ayrshire Chamber leadership development events.
Secondly, the total raised through the raffle, auction and donations of money stands at an astonishing £2100 with a further funding options to be explored.
Thirdly, the event demonstrated the enormous reservoir of goodwill which we feel encouraged to turn to again to support us with future projects. As usual, the local community's support for another school initiative has been overwhelmingly generous. This included donations of prizes for the raffle and the auction, cash donations (including 4 of 3-figure sums), and other pledges of support.
Thank you
The Showcase organisers are grateful to all who assisted with its organisation and delivery and who have not, so far, been mentioned.
The pupils who organised this event deserve special mentions. The steering group of experienced pupil leaders were Lee Orr, Stephanie Roberts, Jake Bunyan and Kyle Stewart. Other leaders also worked tirelessly on the night greeting guests, serving the dinner, and demonstrating and explaining the benefits of our leadership programmes.
Finally, the leaders would like to thank Lorna Dempsey, our keynote speaker. Lorna is a former head girl of Doon Academy who was named Cancer Research UK's Volunteer of the Year 2009 in the week before this event. Last year Lorna was Woman of the Year for the Scottish Association of Business Women (Ayrshire Branch). Lorna's speech was inspirational to the young and less-young in the audience. In the weeks prior to the event she gave freely of her time and expertise to advise the pupils on the effective delivery of this ambitious event.
John MacKenzie
July 2009
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