OYT voyage to Inverary

A very successful OYT Scotland voyage with a group of S3 pupils took place from 2nd to 8th May 2011. They sailed from Greenock to Campbeltown and Inverary via East Loch Tarbert and Portavadie and ended up back at Greenock. The pupils all worked really hard and participated in all aspects of the voyage, from planning where they went, steering the boat, cooking the meals, cleaning, and hoisting the sails. It was a very full-on experience under challenging weather conditions, with winds up to Force 6, thunderstorms and heavy rain. The pupils rose to the challenges and made the most of the trip. They had time ashore in East Loch Tarbert and Inverary, to explore the towns and see the sights.

Galloway Activity Centre trip

Tuesday 26th April saw a group of S3 pupils from Doon Academy visit the Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken to try their hand at sailing before their voyage with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. They had a lovely sunny day and a great time out on the water in funboats. The morning session was an introductory one so the pupils could gain a feel for sailing. They did so well that the afternoon session was spent racing! Unfortunately a number of pupils capsized and were cold so the session finished early. An excellent introduction to the joys of sailing.

OYT Young Leaders

Congratulations to S4 pupils Jack Allsop and Garry Anderson who have been accepted on to the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland Young Leader Programme. Their Challenge Voyage will be to the Faroe Islands. The boys are undertaking a number of fund raising activities to raise the funds for their voyage.

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.

OYT sailing voyage

7 boys and 2 girls from S3 and S4 went on an Ocean Youth Trust Scotland sailing trip to the Outer Hebrides last week. They sailed from Kerrera by Oban to Lockaline the first night. Then on Tuesday the crew had a very long and demanding sail to Dunvegan on Skye which took 18hrs and they anchored in Dunvegan Bay at 5am in bright sunshine. After a rest and a trip ashore to see the sights of Dunvegan they headed across the Minch to Vatersay and anchored in the bay. On Friday morning they had a trip ashore and a walk along the beautiful white sandy beach on Vatersay. Friday afternoon they left and sailed back across the Minch again heading for Tobermory. They arrived into Tobermory harbour late on Friday evening and on Saturday morning had a chance to go ashore and explore “Balamory”. Saturday afternoon they made the return journey down the Sound of Mull to Kerrera. On this last leg, some of the crew took charge of dropping and stowing the sails. The whole trip was about 265 miles. Four of the crew who have sailed before gained their RYA Competent crew certificates, Jack Allsop, Garry Anderson, Nathan Gilmore and Amiee Nutt. Dennis Coles, Craig Pettigrew, Logan Collins, Scott Grozier and Stacey Willison all achieved their RYA start Yachting certificates. They arrived back in Dalmellington, worn out at 8.30 Sunday night. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to Mrs. Bax and Mr. Tomlinson for accompanying the pupils.

For more pictures go to the school photogallery.

Ocean Youth Trust Fundraising

Fundraising for the Ocean Youth Trust is proceeding apace. Most of the money from the sponsored cycle has been handed in to school and our Easter Egg raffle has raised £75 so far. The group would like to thank everyone who has supported the group by sponsoring the cyclists or by buying raffle tickets.

Sponsored cycle

Doon Academy's Ocean Youth Trust Group had a non-uniform day and a sponsored cycle on Friday 19th March to raise funds for their voyage in June. 9 pupils from S3 and S4 cycled from the far end of Loch Doon back to school in near-perfect cycling conditions. Some of the more adventurous and athletic pupils took a longer route through the forest and round Loch Finlas, guided by Outdoor Education Instructor, Andy MacNamara. The non-uniform day raised £170 and sponsorship money is still being collected for the cycle ride.

Sponsored Silence

S6 pupils Tammy Drynan and Caroline Crosby did a sponsored silence in the SLC to raise funds for the Ocean Youth Trust Group who are planning to go sailing on the 7th June for 6 days from Oban. The group is also planning a sponsored cycle on Friday 19th and that day will also be a non-uniform day in aid of the trip.

Sailing fundraising

The Doon Academy Ocean Youth Trust Group has begun fundraising for their next trip. They are hoping to take 12 pupils sailing next June from Oban out round the islands. The trip will be open to any pupils from S3 upward who is keen to get involved with the fundraising and preparations. Previous trips have been very successful even if the weather hasn't been that good. Pupils gain a great sense of achievement from overcoming obstacles such as seasickness. They achieve success at sea from steering the boat, cooking for 18 people, hauling up the sails and tacking the boat. Their personal growth stands them in good stead when they return to school. The group are hoping that people will support their fundraising efforts.

OYT trip

A group of 5 girls and 5 boys from S3 are heading for the high seas. As part of the Doon Academy Leadership programme, they will be taking part in an Ocean Youth Trust Scotland voyage in the Firth of Clyde area, sailing from the OYT's new base at Greenock. The weather forecast for the week is showers and wind so they should have an interesting trip. They have been warned to come prepared and wrap up well. Mrs Bax and Mr Tomlinson will accompany them on their journey. Bon Voyage everyone!

OYT Trip

Brigid Stoney, Development Officer with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland visited Doon Academy to talk to the participants and their parents about the forthcoming OYT trip. She showed them a short video and some photographs to give pupils an idea of what to expect on the trip. She also responded to concerns about seasickness, food, bedtimes and home contact. After the presentation, pupils had a chance to look at a sea chart of the area where they will be sailing and to try on the waterproofs they will be wearing. A group of 5 boys and 5 girls from S3 will be participating in an OYT voyage from 5th to the 9th October, accompanied by Mrs K Bax from Doon Academy and Billy Tomlinson from Kilmarnock College. The trip will be from Greenock out into the Firth of Clyde area and back. All the pupils present were really keen to go after finding out about the trip.

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

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!

Sailing trip

Mrs Bax and Mr Tomlinson will be accompanying five S2 boys and five S2 girls on the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland voyage from Largs to Oban. The group set sail on Monday as part of the Leadership Academy. Have a great trip everyone!

OYT trip

The Ocean Youth Trust voyage was a great success and the girls had a wonderful time despite the stormy weather. Claire McWilliam said “It was a great experience. I learned how to work in a team and I saw many different places such as Ailsa Craig, Rhu, Kyles of Bute and Tarbert from the boat. I gained my ‘RYA Start Sailing’ certificate which was really great.” Well done to all the girls who took part and we wish them good luck in their future sailing adventures.

Leadership

Doon Academy's S3 pupils will be taking part in various leadership activities from the 6th to the 10th of October. Pupils will be attending a residential leadership course, non-residential course in conjunction with Kilmarnock College and a sailing trip.
The first of the leadership courses will be held at our own Leadership Academy in Dalguise and will involve a mixture workshops and outdoor activities (wellies at the ready!).
The Kilmarnock College course will be structured in the same way as our Dalguise course, although this will mainly be focused on the arts.
Lastly, the girls only sailing trip will involve a team of 10 girls sailing an ocean-going schooner, Alba Venturer, around the Firth of Clyde. The destinations will be entirely dependant on the weather conditions.
All of the courses have one common goal; they will all involve team-building skills. Everyone at Doon Academy would like to wish all the pupils the best of luck in their designated Leadership Course.

15th May 2008

Mr O’Rourke is the Scottish representative presenting a School Showcase at an international conference in Belfast this week. His topic is ‘Well-being in Doon Academy.’ We are all proud that our school is being recognized for its achievements.
Some of our S3/4 leadership graduates have been asked to give a presentation to Clackmannanshire Headteachers at their conference in the Westerwoods Hotel, Cumbernauld on Thursday of this week.
Leadership graduates will also be holding workshops for our P7s during the Doon Learning Partnership Literacy & Numeracy Day next week.
The Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop is visiting the school on Monday afternoon. The focus for her visit is to discuss and view the positive changes that have been made in Doon through our participation in the Schools of Ambition and 2020 Vision programmes.
During a recent visit to the ‘U can do it 2’ Roadshow at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Ashleigh Mitchell and Jennifer Phillips together won second prize in the fashion contest competition organized by Ayr College. The competition was to dress a dummy with materials supplied by the college. The girls have been invited to the College catwalk show where they will see their garment modelled. The garment will then be available for display in the school from July. Congratulations to Ashleigh and Jennifer.
Ten S2 boys went on an Ocean Youth Trust Scotland sailing trip with Billy Tomlinson and Mrs Bax. The boat sailed from Rhu to Oban via Arran, Gigha, Jura and Tobermory. The weather was good but the wind was too gentle and they had to motor a great deal. Everyone had a great time though cooking and cleaning for themselves as well sailing the yacht.
The Barcelona Trip information evening for parents will be held on Wednesday 21st May in the school library.
The Art Department staff is excited that the mobile art gallery exhibition ‘Re/trato’ will be visiting the school on the 4th June. Pupils and staff will be able to board the bus to view and admire the exhibits.
S2 pupils took part in the Maths examinations for the Scottish Programme of Achievement. This programme records how results from East Ayrshire compare to other areas in Scotland.
7 staff and 15 pupils are presently attending the Leadership Academy at Dalguise. More news on this event in next week.
The Doon Academy cricket teams won both their matches against Wellington School. The S1/2 team won by 6 wickets and the 3rd year team by 5 wickets. Man of the Match in 3rd year game was Cameron McCrorie. Well done boys and good luck for the summer season.
The staff in the French department have taken advantage of the good weather to teach pupils the art of petanque (French bowls). Also Majorie Kippert the French Assistante has been teaching pupils the ‘Hokey Cokey’ in French!
Pupils and staff from the Support for Learning Base visited the Glasgow Museum of Transport. They sat in Harry Potter’s car and the Balamory minibus, and saw the flight deck of Concorde. Everyone had a really great day.