Rapid Response Challenge

The final day of our Rapid Response Engineering Challenge, run in cooperation with the Institution of Civil Engineers, was held on Friday 21st May. Three engineers came into the school the previous Monday and gave a presentation on civil engineering and how engineers have a very important role to play in disaster relief. Then our S2 pupils had lessons all week relating to the disaster scenario of a hurricane in the Honduras. They learned about hurricanes in Geography, waterborne bacteria in Science, shelters in Technical, measuring area and distances in Maths. Friday was sunny and warm with clear skies, perfect weather for undertaking a series of challenges to build on the lessons and prepare pupils for dealing with disasters. They had to build a shelter, transport water, work out how to filter water, decide where to site facilities, prepare emergency rations, and build a weather instrument. Participants were marked on how well they worked as a team as well as how well they performed in the challenges. The winning team consisted of Blair McCrone, Alexander McDowall, Lauren Young, Annabel McTaggart, Carly Hay and Andrew Paton. The pupils also had a non-uniform day and raised £25 for the Disaster Relief Fund. All the pupils worked extremely well all day and completed all the challenges they were given. Congratulations to the winning team and well done to all participants.

French Breakfast

As a reward for outstanding improvement the Modern Languages department held a French breakfast for S2 pupils. The pupils were treated to the delights of croissants, baguettes and a variety of smelly French cheeses. Bon Appetit!

Car Wash

The S3 ASDAN group are washing staff cars to raise funds for their trip. Well done to the group for their enterprising activities.

Prisoner of the Inquisition

The S2 Media group have finished filming their competition entry ‘The Prisoner of the Inquisition’ and are now editing their film. The film will be submitted to the author Theresa Breslin and Random Books by the 3rd June. We wish them luck in the competition.

Staff Golf

The annual staff golf evening will be held on Thursday 3rd June at the Seafield Golf Course. The event is open to all present and former staff please contact Mr. Paton for further details.

Biology trip to Culzean

Mr. Gooding in Biology is arranging a visit to Culzean Castle and Park, on the 18th June, for S4 pupils to work with the park rangers on a variety of activities.

New Physical Activity Assistant

Doon Academy staff and pupils bid a warm welcome to Kris McChesney who has been appointed as a Physical Activity Assistant to the Doon Learning Partnership. We wish him well in his new post.

Edinbrugh Zoo Trip

The Supported Learning Centre pupils, as part of their animal project, visited Edinburgh Zoo. They attended a talk on vertebrate groups and handled some of the smaller animals. The penguin parade was enjoyed by all and then the pupils split into two groups and explored the zoo. The bus returned to the school at 6.30pm with a group of very happy and tired pupils.

Gaudi hats

In the Art Department, student teacher Elaine Forrest, has been working with S2 pupils as they design and make hats made from recycled materials. Their designs have been inspired by Gaudi and through the project the pupils have been learning about the Art Nouveau design process.

Readers' Cup quiz

The final of the Reader’s Cup Quiz will be held on Friday 18th June. Teams from the 9 East Ayrshire secondary schools will take part in the final. Our team is reading hard in preparation for their big day.

Barcelona Parents Evening

The itinerary for the Barcelona trip Sunday 13th June to Saturday 19th June has now been agreed and the final arrangements have been completed. There will be an information evening for parents of pupils going on the visit on Wednesday 26th May in the school.

Student Teachers

Doon Academy staff and pupils bid a fond farewell to our student teachers Miss. Forrest in the Art department and Mr. Dewar in the PE department. Everyone wishes them every success for the future.

Leadership Academy

Doon Academy’s Leadership Programme held another very successful Leadership Academy at Dalguise. 14 pupils and 7 staff, including 2 pupil leadership graduates and 3 staff leadership graduates, attended the week long programme. All those participating took part in workshops based around the 6 key areas: Awareness, Focus, Creativity, Integrity, Perseverance and Service alongside some very demanding outdoor challenges. Everyone coped really well particularly with the inclement weather – four seasons in one day! Congratulations to all of our new leadership graduates.

British Champion

Congratulations to S3 pupil David Burrell who is the new British Champion, in his age group, for boxing. David, known as the ‘Burnton Bomber’, will now represent the Britain in the World Championship in Ukraine.

Celebration of Achievement

Watch this space for more details in the forthcoming weeks of Doon Academy’s ‘Celebration of Achievement’ events.

Manager of the year

Well done to S5 pupil Alistair Dunn who finished as Manager of the Year in the Fantasy Football League.

Save the children fundraising

The S3 College Care group are busy raising funds for ‘Save the Children’. They are holding a raffle and other events around the school. Well done to the group for their enterprising initiatives.

Girls Football Tournament

21 S1 – S3 girls took part in a football tournament at St. Joseph’s Academy, Kilmarnock. There were 2 teams, each playing 6 games. All girls behaved impeccably and all enjoyed themselves. As the tournament was focused on participation, no winners were announced but all girls performed at a high level and were presented with a certificate, a poster and a ticket for the Kilmarnock game for Sat 8th May. Well done to: Sophie Dobbie; Amy Fulton; Rachel Maxey; Kaitlyn Whiteford; Nicky Fairbairn; Siobhan Robinson; Jane Gallacher; Shannon Jamieson; Varri Murdoch; Megan McCleary; Kirstie Millar; Ashley Mitchell; Ainsley Limond; Jade Scott; Annabel McTaggart; Marina Cameron; Terry Ann Murphy; Kirsty McCormick; Tammy McLurkin; Leigh Brown; Shannon Rodgers.

Barcelona Parents Night

On Wednesday 26th May there will be an information evening for parents of pupils going on the school visit to Barcelona. Parents will be able to find out more about the arrangements for the visit and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Netball Champions

Congratulations to the girls S1/2 Netball Team who have won their league for the first time. The team have worked hard this session and are coached by Ms. Griffin from the PE department.

Kelvingrove Art Trip

S3 pupils in the Art Department are visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery to study artists and their work in preparation for their course.

Photography Competition

The Art Department is holding a photography competition please see Miss Fuller / Miss Humes for details of this exciting competition.

New Principal Teacher Maths

Congratulations to Ms. Pamela McClue who was successful at interview and is now appointed as Principal Teacher of Maths.

Art Trail

Kate Davis from East Ayrshire Council Museum and Art Services visited the school to discuss, with staff and senior pupils, the creation of an art trail in the local community.

Motor Vehicle fundraiser

Well done to the Doon Academy/Kilmarnock College Motor Vehicle group who raised £85 by washing cars which has enabled them to buy an air drill, air grinder and a compressor to use in their studies.

Netball success

The Doon Academy S1/2 girls’ netball team finished the league on a high note. The team played Prestwick Academy at home in front of a home crowd that included Head Teacher Mr. O’Rourke. After a shaky start, the score was quickly at 2-2. Doon girls worked hard to move the ball up court where Sophie Dobbie and Jade Scott managed to net another four goals to take the score to 6-2 before half time. After swapping Nicky Fairbairn for Paige McMahon and Sophie Dobbie for Halle Fitzsimmons, the game quickly picked up pace in the second half. Our defenders, Lauren Shaw and Claire Boyd, did not allow another goal in and quickly got the ball back to our shooters. Jade Scott scored another few great goals, helped out by Halle. Well done to Annabel McTaggart who controlled the game well from her Wing Attack position and helped Varri Murdoch in centre court. The final score ended 11-2 to Doon Academy, with Halle and Jade rightly receiving joint Players of the Match. This secures the team at the top of the Ayrshire League, season 09/10. Well done to all girls who have taken part in the games this season. To go from 6th to 1st in the league, in one year, is a mighty achievement and one, which is being recognised and celebrated in school and the local community. Congratulations to the winning team and their coach Ms. Griffin.

FOCUS West Parents Evening

FOCUS West’s Families and Schools Partnership Officer Joe Meloy and Strathclyde University lecturer Iain Mitchell held a very successful information evening for the parents of S2 and S4 FOCUS West pupils. Parents were able to find out about courses at HE and FE institutions and how they may support their child in future years. Following upon this session Joe has organised a Campus Visit at Caledonian University for parents and pupils on Saturday 29th May 10am to 2pm – transport and lunch will be provided. Joe will be sending a letter to all those concerned and if any other parent is interested in attending they may contact Mrs. Dorans at the school for further information.

Army Cadets

The Army Cadets based in Dalmellington meet every Wednesday evening 6.45pm to 8.45pm at Broomknowe. All pupils S1 to S6 are welcome to attend.

New Principal Teacher of Guidance

Pupils and staff are pleased to welcome our new Principal Teacher of Guidance, Steven Kelly. Mr Kelly will be responsible for Bradan and Doon clan groups, careers guidance, business and college links, MCMC and post school transitions. We wish him every success in his new post.

Prisoner of the Inquisition

The S2 Media Group is busy filming their Theresa Breslin competition entry ‘Prisoner of the Inquisition’. The film is based around the first three chapters of Ms. Breslin’s book. S2 pupil Lauren Young has written the film script and the team are enjoying working on the film.

Exam leave starts

S5/6 pupils begin their examination study leave on Tuesday 11th May and returning pupils are due back to school on Monday 7th June. Good Luck everyone with your exams.

Barcelona trip

Ms Fuller in the Art Department asks that all outstanding paperwork for the Barcelona school trip be submitted to her. The visit is from Sunday 13th to Saturday 19th June.

Burns by Bonnie Doon

As part of the Burns An A That festival Doon Academy pupils and staff will once again be hosting their ‘Burns by Bonnie Doon’ event at Doon Valley Museum Thursday 27th May. Local artist Geoff Forrest will be there working with pupils as they make 18th century willow platters whilst studying the life and works of Burns.

S1 Parents Night

S1 Parents Night will be held on Wednesday 19th May 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Leadership Academy

Doon Academy’s Leadership Academy at Dalguise will take place the week beginning the 10th May. Pupils and teachers, including former graduates, will undertake the intensive leadership programme in the 6 key areas: Perseverance, Integrity, Focus, Awareness, Service and Creativity.

New Transitional Support Worker

The School is delighted to welcome Tammy Borthwick as our new Transitional Support Worker. Tammy’s role at the school is to help pupils into positive destinations post-school.

Mock Election

In Social Subjects Mr Kavanagh’s S1 pupils are preparing for their own mock elections to mirror the national parties. Pupils are researching key party policies and campaigning for their chosen candidates. The pupils will vote on Election Day and see if their elected representative reflects the national voting pattern.

Alton Towers trip

An Alton Towers trip has been arranged for S1 – S6 pupils on Tuesday 22nd June. Interested pupils should see Mrs McRoberts for details.

School Inspection Report

Doon Academy’s HMIe report has been published and all pupils have received a copy of the report, as well as a letter and questionnaire for their parents/guardian.

P7 Transition programme

Doon Academy’s P7 Transition programme will be finishing, for this year, on the 18th May. All P7s have undertaken classes in Maths, English, PE, Social Subjects and Science and they have really enjoyed their lessons.

Friendly game

Doon Academy hosted Belmont Academy for a friendly football match. Belmont came into the game as strong favourites having only suffered one defeat all season, whilst Doon had not previously played any games.
Playing in front of a vocal home support, Doon showed signs of nerves as Belmont took control of the contest. Only a combination of some wayward finishing, some last ditch defending and some fantastic goalkeeping from Alan Napier stopped Belmont from taking an early lead. However, this seemed to wake up the hosts who began to take control of midfield through Stewart Steele and David Murphy. Despite having more of the ball Doon struggled to breakthrough the impressive Belmont defence until the stroke of half time. Daniel Carroll played the ball through to Brandon Orr who appeared to have nowhere to go before hitting an unstoppable volley into the top corner from the edge of the box. Unbelievably Doon led at half time. At the beginning of the second half, Belmont responded impressively and immediately tested William Steele in goal. Eventually, their pressure told as they equalised with a stroke of luck as a long-range strike was deflected in off the unfortunate Jake Bunyan. Just as Doon tried to get back in the game Belmont scored a second goal but this was swiftly followed by Doon being awarded a penalty. Stewart Steele took responsibility for taking the penalty with only minutes remaining. He showed excellent composure to slot the ball into the bottom left corner and Doon had the draw they deserved. In a fiery contest, Doon can be delighted with their efforts. Doon Team: Alan Napier, Daniel Carroll, Jake Bunyan, Conner Weir, Alistair Dunn, Stephen Robertson, David Murphy (c), Stewart Steele, Gregg Galloway, Stephen Brown, Brandon Orr Subs: William Steele, Adam Lindores, and Marc Dyer.