Citizenship

The Citizenship group will be starting shortly, this time for S1 boys. The group meets on a Thursday afternoon, after school, to explore the schools values whilst gaining communication skills and developing teamwork techniques. The group will also learn how to build positive relationships. College Lecturers will be involved in the delivery of the ten-week course.

School Prom

All pupils attending the School Prom must pay their first instalment of £12 by 29th January 2010. This can be paid at the Sixth Year common room at lunch and break times.

Burns Supper

The Doon Academy Burns Supper will be held on Wednesday 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 Robbie Uriarte and all ably chaired by the President of Doon Academy Burns Club Lesley Baird.

New staff

The Art and Design Department welcome Miss Forrest who will be working in the department from the 1st February.

Art Competition winners

Congratulations to Kieran Purdie, Emma Weir and Reece Wigglesworth who came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the recent Coalfields Art Competition. Their prize giving assembly will take place on the 28th January.

Art help

As part of the FOCUS West project, Deborah Holland a tutor from the Glasgow School of Art will return after the prelim examinations to work with a group of senior pupils on their portfolio and artwork.

Christmas concert

The school’s Christmas Concert was held on Thursday 10th December in our assembly hall, which was packed with parents and other members of the local community. The audience enjoyed a varied programme of songs, music and comedy. Drama and dancing also featured in this showcase of the school’s very talented pupils. All agreed that this had been a very enjoyable evening, which was again strongly supported by our community. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this outstanding success.

Netball

On Wednesday 9th December, Doon Academy girls took part in the Ayrshire Basketball tournament at Kyle Academy. Two S2 teams were taken and each played 6 games. Both teams did extremely well, especially when you consider the girls were trained in netball and have only recently started playing basketball. Team 2 was made up of Jade Scott, Paige McMahon and Alex’s Dearie with Team 1 consisting of Claire Boyd, Annabel McTaggart and Tammy Reid. Team 1 won all their games and made it to the final against Belmont 1. The game was extremely exciting but with Annabel’s tactics, Claire’s defending and Tammy’s shooting, they soon made their victory look easy. Well done to Team 2 who won 2 of their 6 games and well done to Team 1 who came home with a basketball victory.

Burns Competition

Congratulations to Tammy Reid who was runner-up and Raegan Heggie who was the winner in the S1/2 Burns Verse Speaking Competition. They will both represent the school in the Ayrshire Schools Burns Competition and at the school’s Burns Supper to be held on Wednesday 10th February 2010. Many thanks to our Burns judges Mrs. Margaret Skilling and Mr. Bill Duncan from Alloway Burns Club and S2 pupil Lauren Shaw last year’s winner.

Staff leaving

Pupils and staff bid farewell to Mr. David Lodge in the Science Department who has been covering chemistry and science classes. Mr Lodge will be taking up a temporary post at Auchenharvie Academy. Everyone in the school wishes to thank him and wish him well in his new post.

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.

FOCUS West

The FOCUS West S3 pupils visited the University of West of Scotland (Paisley Campus) for their Campus Day. The pupils followed a day in the life of a student and attended lectures and a tour of the university site. Everyone found the visit very interesting and informative.
Also on FOCUS West news the Glasgow School of Art tutors will be visiting the school to assist pupils in their art folio preparation.

Evolution Day

Higher and Intermediate 2 Biology students visited Edinburgh Zoo for ‘Evolution Day’. Pupils saw baby penguins, hippos and monkeys and learned about their habitat and specialities. S5 pupil Paula Glancy said” It was interesting and a really fun day seeing all the animals and learning about their lives”.

Fantasy Football

In Maths S1 pupil Liam Graham is the leading manager in the Fantasy Football League. Well-done Liam.

Paris Trip

Three students from the Higher French class, Jade Neil, Kerry Kennedy and Stephanie Smith, accompanied by Mrs.McKenzie PT Modern Languages had a fantastic 2 days in Paris. The group visited many of the famous sights including the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame. The students practised their French buying souvenirs and ordering crepes and snails. Bravo a toutes!

Ayrshire Leader Fund

Senior pupils have been discussing, with Sarah Baird from the Ayrshire Leader Fund, how to develop a number of exciting ideas relating to health, the arts and astronomy. The school staff and pupils are looking forward to seeing how these ideas can be embedded into the curriculum.

Coffee Morning

The Supported Learning Centre held a coffee morning to raise funds for Yorkhill Hospital for Children. Parents and staff were treated to a scrumptious feast of goodies whilst supporting a worthy cause.

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.

Netball success

On Thursday 3rd December, Doon Academy notched up another netball victory. The home game against Kyle 3 was much anticipated after the previous away game against Kyle 2. Our super shooters, Jade Scott and Halle Fitzsimmons didn’t disappoint, scoring 5 in the first half. The dazzling defence unit of Claire Boyd and Lauren Shaw ensured Kyle had no chance of scoring. Varri Murdoch was a captivating centre and our wonderful wings, Paige McMahon and Annabel McTaggart, made sure there was always someone to pass to. Shannon Brown came on to play in the second half and the team scored another 3 points, making the final result 8-0. Well done to all players, particularly Claire Boyd who went home with the Player of the Match Award. This makes Doon Academy currently joint top of the league. The hard work is now paying off!

Cooking in the Kitchen

Congratulations to S3 pupil Jack Allsop who visited Ayrshire chef Rosemary Allan as part of his prize for winning the ‘Cooking in the Kitchen with Rosemary Competition’. Jack made his signature dishes; Pork Leg with sage stuffing and home made gravy followed by chocolate sponge pudding and custard. Jack accompanied by his mother had a wonderful day with Rosemary he said, “It was brilliant. I made friends with the other winners and their families. My mum also had a great time.”