Drumlanrig Castle Trip

On Tuesday 25th June all of the pupils from the Supported Learning Centre took part in a trip to Drumlanrig Castle and Estate in Dumfriesshire. Pupils took part in a variety of different activities. A group of pupils had expressed in an interest in hiring Mountain Bikes and following some of the trails around the estate which they did with Mr Kerr. Other pupils took part in a Nature Trail looking for various different wildlife as well as flora and fauna. This supported the whole centre project that pupils had recently taken part in with Mr Wark studying the lifecycle of 10 caterpillars that we had in the centre as they turned into Painted Lady Butterflies. The weather was bright and sunny and all the staff and pupils enjoyed the day.

Blackpool Trip

On Tuesday the 18 June 80 students from S1-S6 and 10 members of staff went to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The trip was very successful and the sun was shining. Both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed their day. Mr Kelly, PT of Guidance was even brave enough to go on the Pepsi Max after much persuasion from Mr Dunlop, Teacher of Maths. The favourite ride of the day had to be the Revolution.

Miss Fuller, PT of Art and Design, would like to thank all staff who helped supervise the trip. 

Belgium trip

Pupils from S2 and S3 have just returned from a fantastic and informative trip to the First World War Trenches in France and Belgium.  The group were blessed with glorious weather which permitted them the chance to venture inside some of the Trenches that were used during WWI.  Pupils also paid their respects to those who perished throughout the war by visiting both Allied and German cemeteries.  Finally, the group ended their trip with a day in Disneyland where they enjoyed the 20th Anniversary Parade as well as the Roller coasters! Thank you to Miss Steele in the Social Subjects Department for organising this really successful trip both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed it.

Give It a Go – Apprenticeship Awareness Day

45 S2 pupils recently attended Ayr College to increase their awareness and understanding of a variety of apprenticeships and pathways available to them when they leave school. The pupils gained an insight into various career opportunities including Engineering, Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Construction and Hospitality. They were most impressed by the passion and enthusiasm shown by the College lecturers as well as the fantastic facilities available to students. Thank you to Patricia Murray and her colleagues for making this an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all.

Ayr College Graphic Design Day

S3 Art and Design students took part in a Graphic Design day at Ayr College on the 30th of May. The students gained experience in photography skills and Photo Shop. Wendy Roulstone, Rebekah Copeland, Morgan Davis and Amy Watson thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and the experience of being in college for the day.
 

Ben Lomond walk

The weather forecast was typically Scottish - rain, hail, and lightning with sunny intervals. The group however set off with gusto as they all attempted their first ascent of a Munro. The weather was initially fine, the group were cheery and the prospects of an excellent day were ahead of us. It was an early start and after some banter with fellow walkers in the car park the group were ready to go.

The challenge was taken up by some of the Duke of Edinburgh and John Muir award participants. The walking practice was the objective of the Duke of Edinburgh Award group and the experience of the National Park was the objective of the John Muir participants.

 It was a challenge for all involved. However after 4 hours of ascending the Munro the group reached the summit. The views were spectacular and the feeling of achievement rippled through the group.

Well done to Sophie, Morgan, Sarah, Kayleigh, Callum and Jason who took part in this challenge and who were positive and determined to succeed throughout. Despite the late appearance of the forecast hail storm the drenched walkers were still in high spirits upon completion of their epic adventure.

The day’s events were summed up by Sophie who stated that she preferred going up rather than down, "I found it harder going up because you had to really push yourself to get there".

Group at the summit of Ben Lomond.

Global market

On Friday 31 May, S1 pupils will be visiting the Global Market in Kilmarnock with the Social Subjects and Modern Languages departments. Pupils will have the opportunity to taste foods from around the world, buy crafts and practise their French and Italian speaking skills!

Belgium trip

The S2/3 France and Belgium trip sets off on Monday 3rd June. The group will travel overnight to Dover and sail to Calais the following morning where they will visit a hypermarket. The bus will then travel on to Belgium where pupils and staff will spend two days visiting war memorial sites such as Ypres, Flanders Field museum and trenches which have been preserved from the First World War. After leaving Belgium the group move on to Paris where they will sail down the river Seine and spend the following day in Disneyland Paris before returning home.

Graphic Design “have a go” project

The Visual Arts department at Ayr College is offering an interactive day of graphic design and digital art as part of the World Skills ‘Have a Go’ project. A group of S3 Art and Design students will be taking part in a Graphic design day at Ayr College on Thursday 30 May. The day will be broken into two sessions, morning and afternoon, starting with a basic photography project and leading to an afternoon of experimentation in the latest Mac based creative digital manipulation techniques. The emphasis will be on a ‘fun’ and ‘creative‘ day using digital tools to produce striking and effective graphic designs that the pupils will be able to take home. The students are really looking forward to this.

Barcelona Trip 2014

The June 2014 trip to Barcelona is currently being organised. During the trip students will experience the Spanish culture as well as visiting the Gaudi sights, Neu Camp, Las Ramblas, a water park and the Grand Prix circuit.
This trip is open to all pupils.

 If you are interested in going please see Miss Fuller for more information.

Fashion Show

Students who are modelling for the school’s fashion show are getting the opportunity to go and see Ayr College’s annual Fashion Show dress rehearsal on the afternoon of the 12th of June. This will be a fantastic experience and it will help students with their catwalk moves and it will also give them first-hand experience of a real fashion show.

Blackpool Trip

The annual trip to Blackpool will take place on Tuesday the 18th of June. If you have not already done so then please pay the remainder of your balance and return your form to Mrs Paterson. Without this you will not be allowed to take part in the trip.

Premiership football trip

40 students and 6 members’ staff went on a trip on Saturday the 30th of March to the Stadium of Light to watch Sunderland and Manchester United play. This was a great day out and both students and staff thoroughly enjoyed the game. Thank you to Mr Kelly for organising the trip.

Ayrshire Association of Business Women

On Tuesday 19 March, 3 senior girls attended an event run by the Ayrshire Association of Business Women to mark International Women’s Day.

Hayley Bone, Heather Dunn and Tami McLelland accompanied Mrs Allen and Miss Fuller to the event at the Gailes Hotel, Irvine. The night was a great success and everyone enjoyed a 2 course dinner and the opportunity to network with other schools in Ayrshire.

Speakers at the event included Marie Macklin, CEO of The Klin Group, Fiona McKenzie, Director of Centrestage and Annie Lewis representing Oxfam.
To see coverage by Cumnock Chronicle click here.

France and Belgium trip

To raise funds for the France and Belgium trip Miss Steele in the Social Subjects Department will be hiring a bouncy castle for a Bounce-a-thon! Pupils going on the trip have been asked to collect sponsor money; however pupils who are not going on the trip can still join in at a charge of £1.50. The Bounce-a-thon will take place throughout the day on Friday 15th March in the Gym; staff are more than welcome to come along for a bounce! The more the merrier! See Miss Steele for more details.

Blackpool

There will be a trip running to Blackpool Pleasure Beach this year on Tuesday the 18^th of June 2013, departing from the school at 6am prompt and returning approximately at 8pm. This trip will be open to S1 – S6 pupils. The total cost of the trip is £39.00, which includes the coach and entry into the theme park.

The cost of the trip can be paid in full or instalments. However, we require a £20.00 deposit to secure a place on the trip by Friday the 8^th of February. Pupils should pay money directly to Mrs Paterson in the school office. Receipts will be issued when payment has been received. The final instalment of £19.00 is required to be paid by Friday the 19^th of April.

Places on the trip will be limited and will be allocated according to a range of factors including pupils’ behaviour, attendance and effort in school. Please see Miss Fuller for more details.

The Premiership Experience

Mr Kelly is arranging a trip to the Stadium of Light to see Sunderland A.F.C and Manchester United at the end of March, exact dates to be confirmed. The cost of the trip is £44 which includes the coach, entry into the game and a discount voucher for the club shop. This trip is open to all pupils. If you are interested please see Mr Kelly as there are only 33 places available. A £10 deposit will be required to secure your place.

Trip to France and Belgium June 2013

Miss Steele from the Social Subjects department is in the process of arranging a trip to France and Belgium on Monday 3rd of June until Saturday 8th of June 2013. The trip will involve visiting the original trench systems of World War One, museums and monuments dedicated to the War and finally end with a day in Disneyland Paris. The overall cost is £329 per pupil. The first deposit of £100 is due on the 8th of February and the remaining balance by the 19th of April; this can be paid in instalments. Places are limited; please see Miss Steele for more information.

BBL Trophy Final Trip

The PE department are in the process of organising a trip to the British Basketball Finals which will be taking place on Saturday the 9th of March. All pupils and staff who are interested in going to the brand new Emirates Arena in Glasgow to see the match should give their names to the PE ASAP. The total cost of the trip is £20. A £5 deposit will secure your place, with a further £15 deposit payable by Friday the 8th of February.

Pantomime Trip

Mrs Rae, PT of Music, is organising a trip for students to see the pantomime “Cinderella” in Glasgow on Friday the 7th of December. The cost of the trip is £18.00. Please see Mrs Rae for more information.