Literacy Across Learning Research Challenge

S3 pupils from the Supported Learning Centre took part in a Literacy Across Learning Research Challenge in the library with Mrs Whitson and Mrs Bax. Students spent two days learning different researching skills such as mind mapping, how to use keywords to search the internet and how to identify good resources. From this they then went onto research a topic of their own choice which ranged from horses, classic cars, forensic science, dogs and Dr Who. They all worked very hard and produced excellent final products that included, information leaflets, posters, auctioneer brochures and information leaflets for a museum. Well done to all involved.

STEPS programme

 During staff collegiate time Librarian Mrs Bax presented a workshop on the STEPS programme for use with pupils completing projects.For more information click here

David Almond Webcast

 All of S1 were treated to a live author broadcast thanks to the Scottish Book Trust on Thursday 29th September. The pupils felt like part of the live audience as David Almond, author of books for teenagers such as 'Skellig' and 'My Name is Mina’; spoke to them directly from Glasgow. Pupils found about how David got his ideas for writing from his own life and his lifelong fascination with words. Most pupils agreed that tips from a published author would help them in their own writing.

Art Book Club

Mrs Bax and Miss Fuller will be starting an after school Art Book Club every Thursday beginning the 4th of November. This is open to all students and members of the club will be creating new mural panels for the library based on quotes from books. Come along and get creative!

Reading Ambassadors wanted

School Librarian Mrs Bax is recruiting S1 Reading Ambassadors to assist her in the library. Candidates should be friendly, approachable and have an interest in books. Application forms available from the library.

Author visits

As part of the East Ayrshire Spring Read Festival the author Cathy MacPhail visited Doon Academy and gave a really interesting and entertaining talk to all of S1. She spoke about her books and where her basis for her ideas. She inspired all our young authors to be creative. Cathy MacPhail is the author of many books including Roxy's Baby, Another Me, Hide and Seek, and the Nemesis quartet.
The S2 class went to Auchinleck Academy to hear the author Keith Gray. Keith Gray is the author of Ostrich Boys, Malarkey and many other novels for teenagers. He gave a funny talk about his life and told the pupils that the two main ingredients needed for a writer are imagination and experience. He showed this by telling us about travelling as a young man and about his friend Steve giving him a cigar when he joined the army. Keith Gray suggested asking the teachers which story was true. The Doon BBC School News Reporters also interviewed Mr. Gray for the BBC.

Readers' Cup Quiz

The first round of the Readers Cup quiz has taken place in the school. Everyone in S1/2 had the opportunity to have a go at this fun quiz with prizes. Winners will also have a chance to represent their clan in the next round.

S5/6 book group

Mrs Bax, our school librarian, is starting a book group for S5 and S6 students. All S5/6 students are welcome to come along and join in the fun. Also there is a new Doon Academy library website accessible through www.doon.e-ayr.sch.uk. It is a goldmine of information ranging from useful links to study tips for students.

School books back please

All departments are asking for the return of textbooks pupils have borrowed over time. Please have a search of your homes and return books to the school. Please also return any library books to the school.

Readers Cup Quizzes

Mrs Bax, our Librarian, organized the annual S1 and S2 Readers' Cup quizzes this week. The topics covered in the questions ranged from "Pink" and humour to thrillers, witches and wizards and animals. Both contests were keenly fought with the S1 competition ending in a tiebreak with 1A beating 1C. In the S2 competition Doon beat Raecar by one mark to win. Congratulations to both the winning teams.

28th February 2008

The Scholastic Book Fair was in the school library last week, and was a great success. Pupils purchased a variety of books and stationery
World Book Day is taking place on Thursday, March 6. To celebrate, pupils are holding a “Match the Teacher to the Book” quiz.
World Maths Day will be taking place on the 5th March. Pupils from S1-S5 will be taking part in this challenge, which involves playing online against pupils from all over the world – answering maths questions of course!
S6 GOALS Top-Up students will be attending a Campus Day at the University of Glasgow where they will be meeting students and taking part in seminars and tutorials.
Doon Valley’s Cricket Club Annual Dinner and Prize giving will be taking place this month. Pupils from Doon Academy will be receiving prizes. Guest Speaker is Jim Connell, previously Scotland’s foremost umpire, from Glasgow’s Old Grammarians.
East Ayrshire’s Spring Spectacular Concert took place in Kilmarnock. S2 pupils Laura Halbert and Ryan McKnight sang in the choir. More news on this event next week.
Pupils undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award will be visiting the Police Training Centre to find out more about the work of the Strathclyde Police.
In our Comenius Project ‘Bridges4Europe’ the pupils and staff, from the schools in the partnership countries, have produced their 1st page of the project newspaper on the topic ‘My School, My Town’. The newspaper can be accessed through the school website.
Art pupils in S3 and S5 visited the Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show on Wednesday, March 5. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit and cannot wait to return!
The Doon Academy Supported Learning Centre held their Burns Supper in January and parents were invited to a coffee morning on Friday, February 29 to view the excellent DVD taken of the event.