Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

The practice expedition to Glentrool for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards was a great success. Pupils Ryan McKnight, James Mulholland, Connor Adam and Caroline Crosby accompanied by Mrs. Strachan, Mr. Tickner and Andy McNamara from East Ayrshire Outdoor Education had dry and fairly warm conditions for their overnight camp. The group are now preparing for their final expedition to Arran on the 9th and 10th June and Miss. Griffin, Billy Tomlinson and Andy McNamara will accompany them. Good Luck and enjoy your expedition on Arran. We hope you have good weather!

Coraline film visit

Staff and pupils in the Pupil Support department enjoyed a trip to the Odeon cinema in Ayr to see 'Coraline' last week. All the pupils on the trip had read the book by Neil Gaimen and opinion was divided about whether the book or film was better! Megan and Rachael thought the film was fantastic, but Shereen and Mrs Murray thought that the book was better. Jack and Liam liked the ending and Joe thought the button eyes were scary! Liam and Scott thought it was interesting that the film had a character in it that had not been in the book. Everyone really enjoyed the afternoon.

Leadership showcase

Doon Academy’s Graduate Leaders are busy planning for a showcase event on Leadership to be held at the end of June. This will demonstrate their leadership skills to an invited audience of local business leaders and the wider community.

French Assistant leaving

Pupils and staff bid a fond farewell to our French Assistant Andre Valente who will be returning to university in Toulouse in France. Andre has been a great asset to the school by helping pupils with their French vocabulary. He also introduced them to the customs and culture of France. Andre said: “ I have really enjoyed my time at the school and I will miss everyone”. We all wish him the very best of luck for the future.

Leadership Academy

Our Leadership Academy was a tremendous success this year. 12 pupils and 4 staff attended the 5-day course at PGL Outdoor Centre in Dalguise, Perthshire. 3 staff and 2 pupils who are all previous graduates of the academy facilitate the programme. The course is based around 6 codes of leadership: Awareness, Focus, Creativity, Integrity, Perseverance and Service. All pupils participate in workshops for each of the leadership codes. They also take part in outdoor activities, which are chosen specifically to link with each workshop. The celebration dinner and graduation ceremony are also an important aspects of the programme. Everyone graduated and received their Leadership polo shirt and Certificate.

Student teachers leaving

Our student teachers, Mrs. Corrigan in English and Ms. Smith in PE, have now finished their final placement at the school. We wish them every success in their future teaching careers.

Nurse Leaving

Karen Egan, School Nurse, for Mental Health and Emotional Well-being will be leaving the school at the end of June as funding for the 20/20 Vision has now ended. Pupils and staff will sadly miss Karen.

Athletics Competition

23 pupils from Doon Academy visited Dam Park for the annual East Ayrshire Athletics competition. The weather was glorious and all pupils behaved exceptionally well and performed to the best of their ability. The athletics training that had been taking place really paid off as our school came away with 9 gold medals. Lauren Shaw in S1 gained 2 gold medals for High Jump and Shot Putt, S2 pupil Dillon Dunn 2 gold medals for 100m and 200m, S1 Varri Murdoch gold medal for Discus, Stuart Paulin S1 gold medal for Javelin, Ross Mellis S1 gold medal for Discus, Ashley Green S2 gold medal for Discus, S3 Kieran Mullen gold medal for Discus. We also came home with 2 silver medals. Rory Dempsey S1 Long Jump, Dylan Thirtle S1Triple Jump. Finally, there were 4 bronze medals presented to S3 pupils, Marc Dyer 1500m, Jonathan Milligan 2 medals for High Jump and Long Jump, Kieran Mullen for Shot Putt. Special mention to all the senior athletes who automatically go through to the Ayrshire Athletics due to the lack of participation from other schools. Congratulations to all athletes for their impeccable behaviour and great results. We look forward to more of the same when our athletes go to the next round in the Ayrshire Athletics.

Netball win

Tuesday 12th May saw the first victories of the S5 netball team from Doon Academy. The girls took maximum points from their games against Ayr Academy 1 and Ayr Academy 2. After a disappointing season this leaves the girls mid way in the league table and gives them the confidence boost they needed. Well done to all girls who have taken part this year throughout the whole competition. You have shown that even when games do not go your way and team members quit, you are mature and have great sportsmanship. Well done to all.

Leadership Academies

The Dalguise Leadership Academy was a tremendous success and pupils and staff graduated as leaders. On the course pupils and staff took part in various team building and leadership activities. Gavin McFadzean from S3 said “I did raft building, abseiling and I also took part in communication workshops. It was all really good and I am pleased I am now a graduate leader for my school”. A full report will be in next week’s issue.
In the same week 12 more S3 pupils took part in Kilmarnock College’s Leadership Academy. Pupil Demi Whiteford said: “ We did rock climbing which was great and also had singing and dancing which was a good laugh. I had a great time and it was good fun! Congratulations to all our Leadership Graduates.

Mary's Meals

Mrs Stewart’s S1 register class received their certificates for their enterprising task of being ‘slaves’ for teachers to raise funds for our Malawi Project ‘Mary’s Meals’.

Alba Explorer voyage

The Ocean Youth Trust Scotland sailing trip on the Alba Explorer from Largs to Oban was a great success. S2 pupils Dean Miller, Reece Wigglesworth, Jack Allsop, Jordan Kane, Garry Anderson, Paige Collins, Shannon Rodger, Leigh Brown, Megan McCleary, Tyla Crocket with Mr. Tomlinson, Mrs Bax and the boat’s crew had a very eventful voyage. This is their report.
Monday 4th May
Arrived at the Marina at Largs. We were met by sea staff and shown to the boat. Our crew worked together to load all their bags and the provisions for the week onto the boat. The skipper, Dan, told us that the weather forecast was the worst he had seen in years. There was a major low coming across from the west and gales were forecast for the week.

Tuesday 5th May
We set off from Largs in a stiff breeze, which became much stronger after we were clear of Cumbrae. The wind continued to pick up and approaching Arran the jib sail split in two. This forced a change of plan and we anchored in Lamlash Bay for the night. Before going to bed the crew removed the broken sail and fitted on another smaller jib. All the crew participated in an anchor watch on a rota basis, taking turns to get up and check our position and the wind strength.
Wednesday 6th May
Due to a forecast lessening of the gale, we all got up at 5am to set sail by 5.45 in order to get around the Mull of Kintyre, which can be a very rough area of sea in a storm, before the weather worsened. We set off in a force 3-4 and made it round the Mull before the wind picked up too much.
Thursday 7th May
As the gale was forecast to pass over us on Thursday, the decision was made to stay put and let everyone recover before venturing out to sea again. Thursday morning the crew were on deck for a while in a freezing wind playing games to learn the parts of the boat that they needed to know for their Start Yachting certificates.
Friday 8th May
The crew had listened to our advice and eaten a good breakfast and wrapped up well to prevent seasickness. Megan had 10 layers on. We motored out of the shelter of Loch Craignish about 10 am. The weather was a bit better and we had a fantastic sail up the sound. Despite the fact that it was gusting up to force 8, with a swell running, the crew were all on desk and in high spirits, enjoying the sail. We managed to catch up and overtake another OYT boat, Alba Venturer. The crew were very excited to see Tobermory and keen to get ashore. They had not had a chance of a shower since the start of the week. After dinner they had time ashore to walk around before bed.

Saturday 9th May
In order to catch the favourable tide back down the Sound of Mull, we did not need to leave Tobermory until lunchtime, so the crew had time for showers and shopping in the morning. At about 8.30pm we moved off our anchor and motored carefully out of the Loch through shallow waters with a crewmember calling out the depths as we went. We sailed towards Oban as dusk fell and the final part of the trip was completed in the dark. We tied up at a mooring about 11.30 and everyone went to bed.
Sunday 10th May We woke to brilliant sunshine for the first time in the week, which made everyone feel more cheerful about the big end of voyage clean-up. At the end of every trip, the sails have to be stowed and the desks tidied. Below decks the galley and the cabins and the heads are tidied and thoroughly cleaned. The waterproofs are washed down and everything is made ready for the next crew to take over. We were debriefed by the skipper who presented everyone with their OYTS voyage certificates and their RYA Start Yachting certificates

Eco Group

The Eco Group members are delighted that the weather has improved as it means they may begin their outside activities in the garden area. There are seeds to be sown and cuttings to be planted.

J. K.Rowling - Writer of the month

In English, May’s Writer of the Month is J.K. Rowling author of the Harry Potter books. Pupils will be exploring the life and works of this famous author and presenting a display for the corridor.

Study leave starts

Senior students are now on study leave for their examinations. We wish everyone the best of luck. New S5/6 students return to school on Monday 8th June.

Activate successes

Pupils from Doon Academy recently attended a Celebration of Success to mark the end of this session's Activate programme. During a visit to the Odeon cinema Pat McPhee, East Ayrshire Team Leader and Activate Co-ordinator, presented pupils with a certificate that documents their achievements. Activate is an employability programme delivered in school for four months prior to school leaving date. It supports young people during the transition from school to college, training or employment by focusing on improving the skills and knowledge required to enter the world of work. It also offers ongoing support and contact for one year after the end of the programme. Congratulations to all the participants.

Doon Academy Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition

The Doon Academy Duke of Edinburgh Award group is going on their practice expedition on 19th/20th May. They are going to Glentrool to prepare for their main expedition in June. The pupils attending are; Caroline Crosby, Robert McDowell, James Mulholland, Connor Adam and Ryan McKnight. Andy McNamara from the East Ayrshire Outdoor Learning Centre will accompany them along with Mrs Strachan and a second member of staff from Doon. The final destination for the Expedition is still to be chosen.

Sailing trip

Pupils attending the Ocean Youth Trust leadership sailing course undertook a training session in rope tying and knots. They all had to learn the various techniques for securing the boat and sails before their sailing trip from Largs to Oban.

Unfortunately they do not seem to be getting a good week this week for sailing in the Clyde!

Alton Towers spaces

There are still places available for the S1-S3 trip to Alton Towers. Please see Ms. Fuller for details.

Athletics heats

Heats are underway in the PE Department to select representatives for the East Ayrshire Athletics Event on the 13th May. Good luck everyone.

Problem of the week

In Maths, Ms McClue has posted this week’s ‘Problem of the Week’. Details are on her notice board. Remember: Points mean Prizes!

Dalguide Leadership

Pupils and staff attending the Dalguise Leadership Academy are busy preparing their kit bags for their weeklong course, which starts on May 11th. 14 pupils and 7 staff are participating in the programme. Have a great trip!

Acting PT Science

Congratulations to Mr Douglas Gooding who is now our Acting Principal Teacher of Science whilst Mrs. Brooksbank is on maternity leave.

Student teachers

Welcome back to our student teachers Mrs Corrigan in English and Ms Smith in PE who are on their final teaching placements.

Burns by Bonnie Doon

Doon Academy’s annual event ‘Burns by Bonnie Doon’ which forms part of the ‘Burns an’ a’ that’ Festival and the P7 Numeracy and Literacy Day will take place on Wednesday 20th May at the Doon Valley Museum. Pupils will not only be working with staff to study the life and works of Burns but also working with Doon Valley artist Geoff Forrest to make 18th century willow platters.

Parent Council

Doon Academy Parent Council AGM is being held in the school library on Tuesday, 26th May at 7pm. It is hoped that there will be a good turnout of parents/guardians this year.