Adam Ingram visit

Head teacher John Mackenzie was delighted to welcome to the school, on Friday 11th November, Adam Ingram MSP for Cumnock and Doon Valley. Mr Ingram met with the head; depute heads and school captains to discuss our future improvement plans. He then had a tour of the school, and the Supported Learning Centre, during which he met other staff and pupils. Mr Ingram then attended our senior Remembrance Day assembly which was led by teacher Mr. Paul Ellis who has also served as a reserve in Iraq and Afghanistan. BBC School News Reporters were thrilled that Mr. Ingram took time out to be interviewed for the BBC. The reporters asked him many interesting questions and their full report with be broadcast on School News Day.

BBC School News reporters interviewed

BBC School News Reporters Danni Cullen, Aaron Gilmore, Shania Brown, Elleis Peters and Gareth Kerr were interviewed on the radio by BBC producers in London about their school news report on First Click. The reporters are now inspired to do more reporting with Elleis keen to do a behind-the-scenes report on the Christmas concert and Shania writing to some famous authors for an interview.

Doon on BBC

The BBC came into school and filmed some S1 pupils with Mr Gilmore and Ms Joss talking about their lives and researching on the Internet.
Here is the link to BBC School News Report website where you can see the finished report and film.

BBC First Click Campaign

Here is a link to a report on the First Click Campaign. Doon is mentioned at the bottom of the page.

BBC Local News project

Doon Academy’s BBC School News Reporters were delighted to welcome local community members Miss Annie Joss MBE and Mr James Gilmore to the school. Miss Joss and Mr. Gilmore spoke to the reporters about their work and lives particularly relating to living in the Doon Valley area. They then worked with the reporters on the internet to research information. Laura Simpson from the BBC recorded the event for possible broadcasting on the BBC.

Actress visitor

S2 BBC school news reporters were thrilled that the well-known actress Lindsay Mackenzie took time from her busy schedule to visit the school to be interviewed for BBC school report. Lindsay played Raven the Princess in the television series The Island and she spoke about her life on set and the challenges undertaken by the contestants in the show. Lindsay is now living and working in London but regularly returns to visit her family in Scotland.

BBC interview

The S2 BBC School News Reporters were delighted that James Newall, local Forestry Ranger, visited the school to be interviewed for the BBC. Mr. Newall spoke out his work and answered questions about the forestry and how to become a ranger.

Scottish Parliament visit

Our S1 BBC School News reporters had a very interesting visit to the Scottish Parliament to interview our local MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Ms. Cathy Jamieson. Ms. Jamieson spoke to the reporters about the parliament building and her career as an MSP. Also, the reporters had the opportunity to see the debate chamber where the process of how a debate is conducted and the voting system was explained to them. Ms. Jamieson also showed the reporters behind the scenes in her office and the ‘think pod’. The reporters also met Lord Foulkes of Cumnock who spoke to them about the BBC project and their school life. Everyone really enjoyed their visit and would like to thank Ms. Jamieson and her staff for arranging the trip.

Scottish Parliament visit

Doon Academy’s BBC School News reporters have been invited in February to the Scottish Parliament to interview our local MSP Cathy Jamieson. The reporters will be meeting Ms. Jamieson and having a behind the scenes tour of the parliament building.

BBC School News Reporters

Doon Academy’s BBC School News reporters have been invited in February to the Scottish Parliament to interview our local MSP Cathy Jamieson. The reporters will be meeting Ms. Jamieson and having a behind the scenes tour of the parliament building.

BBC mentor visit

Doon Academy’s BBC School News Reporters were very pleased that their mentor, BBC Sports editor Tom Connor, visited the school to check on their progress. Whilst he was here he presented Lauren Young with her prize for winning the Accelerated Reader “Wall of 100%” prize draw. Everyone who gains 100% in a quiz receives a ticket for the draw. Many thanks to Mr. Connor and congratulations to Lauren.

BBC School News Report

Doon Academy’s BBC School News Reporters were delighted to receive a visit from their mentor Tom Connor who is the Sports Editor for the BBC. After a brief tour of the school Mr. Connor spoke to the pupils about the roles of reporter and editor in BBC programming. He also told the news reporters about the interesting people he has interviewed and the many places he has travelled in his career.

BBC School News Day

S1 pupils in Mrs Dorans English class will be taking part in the BBC School News Report. The pupils will work with a mentor from the BBC, and on School News Report Day, the 26th March, they will be making the news for the day.

18th January 2008

Their BBC Mentor, Mike Higgins, visited Doon Academy’s S2 BBC School News Reporters. Mr. Higgins spoke to the pupils about the importance of deadlines in news reporting and about his work on the BBC news. The reporters enjoyed meeting Mr. Higgins and are looking forward to working with him in the future on BBC School News Report.
Doon Academy has been successful in the Royal Society of Art competition for the second consecutive year, winning two highly commended awards. S1 pupil Stephen Grant and Tazmyn Hearton (S3) have both won awards for their artwork. Tazmyn’s work has even been chosen as the image for next year’s poster! Well done to both Stephen and Tazmyn for their achievements!
The Shooting Starts exhibition, films made by S3 pupils and Colombian filmmaker Sergio, premiered on Thursday, January 15. The exhibition was a great success. S3 pupils enjoyed working with Sergio for the duration of the project.
Mr. McPherson Physics Teacher is holding a competition in school to design a drum kit for his band ‘HeHatesUs’.The idea is to complete a design for the front of the bass drum; however it must either follow the general design of the band’s logo, or include the logo in the design. The competition is open to all pupils, and staff, who wish to provide a design. Last date for entries is the 15th February. The band will then pick one of these to be made into the final design. There will be a fabulous prize for the winning entry. Further information is available from either Mr. McPherson or the Art department.
Reports for S4-S6 are being written now and should shortly be sent to parents. There will be a parents evening for pupils in S4-S6 on Wednesday, January 30 5.30pm-7.30pm.
The Barcelona trip in June for pupils in S2-S6 is progressing well. Deposits are being collected now and forms have to be returned as soon as possible to the Art department!
The Art department will be welcoming student Judith Smith to the department on January 29. Everyone is looking forward to working with Judith during her time at the school.