Wii Dance Sessions

On Friday 21st January, 90 pupils took part in a Nintendo Wii Event in Doon Academy’s Library. For 30 minutes, pupils danced and exercised to music on the Wii. The event was held to promote dancing in the school and show how much fun and exercise you can gain through the medium of dance. Thank you to Mrs Bax for use of the library and Derek Robertson from LTS who has given the Wii to Doon Academy on long term loan. Well done to Shania Brown, Alana Murray, Ritchie Lindores and Craig Mitchell who all received a prize for ‘Best Dancers’.

To see the video click on dance in the links.

Burnton Bomber

Congratulations to S4 pupil David Burrell ‘The Burnton Bomber’ who was selected for the Amateur Boxing Scotland team. In his first bout for the team David fought against the Northern Ireland 36kg champion Darryl Moran and won the match. David said “It was great to be picked for the team and I am really pleased I won my bout against the Northern Ireland champion”.

OYT voyage

An information session for the parents of pupils attending the Ocean Youth Trust voyage in May was held on the 17th January. Parents were informed about the locations to be visited and were given medical forms to be signed. If any parent missed the session and needs more information please contact Mr. Tomlinson or Mrs Bax at the school.

Burns Wreath Laying

S2 pupils Kirsty McCormick and Naomi Allan represented Doon Academy’s Burns Club and laid a wreath at the Burns statue in Ayr to celebrate the bard’s birthday.

Burns Supper

The Doon Academy Burns Supper will be held on Thursday 10th February from 7pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and available from Ms. McClue in the Maths Department 01292 550521. The supper promises to be a superb evening with the Selkirk Grace by Head teacher Patrick O’Rourke, recitations by our S1/2 Burns prize winners Kirsty McCormick and Josh Taylor, a Scottish Contemporary Dance by the Doon Dancers and all ably chaired by S5 pupil Kyle McCormick.

Basketball Tournament

On Tuesday 18th January, 12 S1 and S2 girls took part in a basketball tournament at Kyle Academy. The three aside teams had to work hard in all games against Kyle and Belmont and were a force to be reckoned with. The teams consisted of Cheryl Allison, Courtney Jackson, Savannah McMahon, Wendy Roulestone, Lauren Ferguson, Nicole Millar, Robyn Mitchell, Rachel Boyce, Amy Luff, Ashleigh Mitchell, Terry Ann Murphy and Carrie Thomson. Split into year groups, Doon’s S1 groups came a respectable 2nd and 6th. Doon’s S2 teams came in 2nd and 4th. Well done to everyone who took part in the very enjoyable tournament, in particular to Rachel Boyce who won Doon Academy’s Player of the Tournament

Employability

The S4 Care Class recently took part in an apprentice style task as part of their Asdan Employability Course. Team A were given false eyelashes and Team B had bronzer to market. The girls had to create an advertising campaign and new packaging for their products. They pitched their ideas to a guest panel - S4 pupil Shannon Renwick, Enable Scotland worker Steven Galbraith and beauty therapist Diane Borthwick from Casaras, Drongan. Congratulations to Team A: Shereen Steele, Gemma Hughes, Zoe Ritche, Amie Donnelly, Chelsea Carruthers, Chloe Rowan and Shannon Rodger as their product ‘Million Eyes Lashes’ was chosen by the panel as the best product. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you for all their hard work over the past month preparing their products and presentations.

Fire Reach success

Rachel Maxey and Danielle Wilson completed a very successful Fire Reach placement. They both received certificates for their efforts. Well done girls.

Wii Dance at Doon Academy

E2E Challenge

In preparation for choosing their options in 3rd year all S2 pupils undertook the FOCUS West Education to Employment (E2E) Challenge. Lecturers and students from the West of Scotland universities facilitated the programme consisting of Mapping the Future, Choosing Courses, team building and communication skills. At the S2 parents evening on the 23rd February pupils will receive their E2E certificates. Everyone enjoyed their challenges and as S2 pupil Kirsty McCormick said “It really made me think about the choices I have to make for my future”.

Art Trail

Mr Stuart Fearns, Hydro Manager at Scottish Power’s Glenlee Power Station, visited pupils from the Dalmellington Art Trail project on Friday 21st January. Mr Fearns presented the school with a cheque for £500 as a contribution to the next sculpture project, which will add to existing artworks, and is part of a walking route for families, art lovers and walkers.

Pupils who have been working on the project accepted the cheque and Lisa Teasdale of S6 thanked Mr Fearns for his company's generous support for this exciting school and community enterprise.

Two projects are well underway and pupils have already learned from working with living willow sculptor, Geoff Forrest, and Laura Antebi who uses re-cycled wire and steel.

The next project will involve Dalmellington Primary School and a group of their pupils attended the presentation ceremony.

Coalfield Art Competition success

Congratulations to Claire Boyd, Halle Fitzsimmons and Rachel Murphy who have won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively in the Coalfields Art Competition. This is the third year the department has scooped 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.

Hospitality trip

Senior Hospitality students visited ‘The Gallery’ at Kilmarnock College. During their visit they learned about the various courses on offer to study at the college. They also ate a delicious 3 course meal prepared by the college students at their own gallery restaurant.

Coca Cola visit

Third year pupils in the Business Management class are making plans to attend Coca Cola Enterprises in East Kilbride. The group will learn about the organisation, the production of Coca Cola, quality procedures in place and the marketing of the famous brand. They will be accompanied by Mrs Stewart and Miss Mendy.

Burns Supper

The Doon Academy Burns Supper will be held on Thursday 10th February from 7pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and available from Ms. McClue in the Maths Department 01292 550521. The supper promises to be a wonderful evening with Ryan McKnight giving the Toast to the Lasses with reply by our Burns President Lesley Baird. S3 pupil Robbie Uriarte will be presenting the Immortal Memory and School Captain Marie Reid will give the toast to the school.

Skiing trip

S1/2 pupils attending the ski weekend to Aviemore on the 5/6th February visited the ski slope in Newmilns to practise their techniques.

ASDAN Awards

Congratulations to S4 pupils Dara Murphy and Craig McInnes who have passed their Asdan Bronze Awards. They will receive their certificates next month at a prize giving assembly.

Mini Saga Competition

Miss Borthwick's S1 and S2 English classes entered the Young Writers Mini Saga competition. This was a competition, which required you to write a complete story in 50 words. Many of the Doon pupils in S1 and S2 were successful and will now have their Mini Sagas Published in the Young Writers book, "Mini Marvels Southern Scotland".

Science certificates

In Science, certificates were awarded to S1 and S2 pupils, Gary McConnachie, Colin McTaggart, Wendy Roulstone, Colin McDonald, Connor Blain, Alana Murray, Elleis Peters, Keiran Madden, Michael McKinstry, Stephanie Carrick, Sam McCrorie, Kayleigh Armour, Scott Boyd, Rebecca Copeland and Bethany Gilmore, to congratulate them for their splendid achievement in classes. Well done to them all and keep up the good work.

Reading Week

During the 31st January to the 4th February all S1, 2,3 pupils and staff will take part in ‘Reading Week’ where everyone reads for 20 minutes at the start of the school day.

Cricket Medals

At the senior assembly the school cricket team were presented with their medals and trophy for winning the West of Scotland Schools Plate Competition. Under the guidance of cricket captain S5 pupil Robert McDowall, and coach Alan White, the team won, with 3 balls to spare, in the final against Airdrie Academy. Congratulations from staff and pupils at Doon Academy.

SaS Summer Academy

Iain Mitchell lecturer at Strathclyde University visited the school to speak to senior pupils about the Summer at Strathclyde Accelerate Programme. This programme runs for two separate weeks 27th June to 1st July and 25th to 29th July and is based around pupils’ career aspirations. There are eleven challenge areas ranging from astrophysics to sport and many pupils were keen to attend.

Cambridge shadowing

Congratulations to S5 pupil Kyle McCormick who has been selected to attend the University of Cambridge for a student shadowing programme in February. Kyle will reside at Cambridge and gain a taster of university life.

Student teachers

Two student teachers will begin their 5 week teaching placements at Doon Academy. Lyndsay Black will be in the Music Department and Barry Piccinni in the Maths Department. We wish them both every success during their time at Doon.

E2E Challenge

The S2 FOCUS West Education to Employment (E2E) Challenge will be held on Wednesday 19th January. Pupils will work with university lecturers and students on activities designed around making option choices, a faculty focus questionnaire and an E2E roadmap of their future careers.

Prom payments

All pupils attending the School Prom must pay their second instalment of £15 by 26th January 2011. This can be paid at the 6th year common room at lunch and break times.

Respect & Protect wristbands

The school has witnessed the official launch of the 'Respect and Protect' anti-bullying wristbands.
Pupils and staff have been encouraged to purchase a fashionable silicone wristband with 'Doon Academy Respects & Protects' printed clearly on each band. In purchasing the band all pupils sign a contract agreeing to fully support the schools respect and protect anti-bullying policy as highlighted in the handbook and student planners. The bands have proved to be extremely popular with staff and pupils alike.

It is hoped that everyone within the school will wear one and 'Lend a hand to take a stand - wear the band!'

To support the initiative there is a competition for pupils to submit entries for the best presentation on anti-bullying.

Army work experience

8 pupils will attend an army work experience placement, from 7th to11th February, at Garelochhead Training Camp in Helensburgh. All pupils have a keen interest in joining the armed forces when they leave school and will use this opportunity to gain valuable experience. They will be involved in map reading, hill walking, fitness training, cooking and military skills as part of their training.

Fire work experience

Hope Stark and Danielle Fleming in S3 will be attending the Fire Reach work experience placement from 17th - 21st January. Throughout the week they will be visiting a number of fire stations throughout Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

S3 Peer Education

An S3 peer education group has been assembled with the help of Heather McCormick and Melissa McCulloch from community learning and development. The group will focus on developing a play/film based on important issues within the local community and present it to associated primary schools.

Annual Burns Supper

The Doon Academy Burns Supper will be held on Thursday 10th February 7pm onwards. Tickets are priced at £5 and available from Ms. McClue in the Maths Department 01292 550521. The supper promises to be an outstanding evening with amongst others our own piper Fraser Buchanan, ‘Address to a Haggis’ by Raegan Heggie and all ably chaired by Kyle McCormick.

Accelerated Reader of the Month

Congratulations to Accelerated Reader of the Month Danni Cullen in S1. Danni completed 3 quizzes and earned 24 points.

Ski Weekend

The annual ski weekend will take place the 5th/6th February and there will be a visit to the dry ski slope for pupils to practise before the event.