S6 Leadership Training

Our new sixth year started the session with a 2 day leadership programme which examined the roles and responsibilities of prefects and senior students. Speakers at the event, which was held in The Aviator Suite at Prestwick Airport, included Rev Alastair Morrison; Mr Robert Paterson, training officer  from Goodrich International; TV producer Andy Park; and ex-president of Glasgow University, Queen Margaret Union, Kirsty Hill. School staff also led workshops. We are very grateful to all who contributed to the event, including Gillian Cameron from Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce whose business links ensured the event's success.

Pupil videos

Two groups of S2 pupils have made short videos as entries to the We Are Northen Lights documentary film project. To see their films go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ArJXD_r9BY&feature=plcp and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH4f2B68VCA&feature=plcp .
To find out more about the We are Northern Lights project go to. http://www.wearenorthernlights.com

Mardi Gras Celebration

On Wednesday 9th May, S1 pupils celebrated their Curriculum for Excellence Mardi Gras project with a festival of fun and crêpes tasting!

Pupils in the French classes had been busy researching how Mardi Gras is celebrated in France and around the world, and produced some excellent PowerPoint presentations for the festival.

In Art, pupils designed and made vibrant Mardi Gras masks to wear for the festival parade.

The King and Queen of Mardi Gras were Liam Elder and Shannon Carrick.

Pupils in Home Economics made some delicious crêpes for everyone to enjoy. One of the many highlights was the lively dance which P.E. teacher Mrs Ferrie taught pupils and teachers to do on the day.

Rapid Response Engineering challenge

Pupils and staff were delighted to welcome to the school 2 engineers from Institution of Civil Engineers in Scotland who gave a talk to S2 about what civil engineers do and introduced the Rapid Response Engineering Challenge. S2 have been busy all week on project work relating to the challenge.

Nteball report

Doon Academy’s S1/2 Netball Team left Dalmellington on a sunny afternoon to go to Prestwick for their league game. Arriving at the school, Doon’s pupils were very impressed with Prestwick Academy’s new campus and all agreed it was “like going to a hotel for the afternoon”. Both sides warmed up quickly as all were eager to get started.
The first half saw Doon hold the majority of possession but after five minutes no goals had been scored. It didn’t take long however for Doon to get into their stride with Cheryl Allison putting four nets on the scoreboard for her team. Prestwick replied with one goal before half time leaving Doon in the lead before any team changes were made. Rebekah Copeland and Charelle Boyce played hard and well during the first half and were replaced with fresh legs in the form of Sophie Paulin and Chloe McDerment for the second half.
Amy Mitchell was moved to Goal Shooter and did a great job in helping Cheryl score more goals. Melanie Connell played a solid role in controlling centre court alongside her Wings, Brooke Paulin and Savannah McMahon. Prestwick made a valiant attempt at putting the Doon girls under pressure and were able to catch up in goal difference in the second half.
The Doon girls proved just too fast for the opposition though with the final score of the season being 9-8 to Doon Academy.
Well done to Brooke Paulin who received Player of the Match.

Former pupil John McNair, from Lost World Pet Shop in Ayr, visited the Art Department with various creepy crawlies – scorpions, spiders and snakes. Both pupils and staff really enjoyed the visit.

Day of Memories

To commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Doon Academy together with Dalmellington Primary, are hosting a Day of Memories with afternoon tea, from 1.15pm on Thursday 31st May.
If you have memories of the coronation and would like to join us please contact the schools. Tickets are free and are on a 1st come 1st served basis.

Creative Writing Workshop with National Theatre of Scotland

Thirty seven pupils from S1 and S2 recently had the opportunity to take part in creative writing workshops run by National Theatre Scotland at The Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock. Pupils experienced two workshops in character creation, script writing and movement and were enthusiastic in their engagement.

Scott Kennedy, S1 said: “It was really great. It was fun to make up characters and act out a scene between them.” Later in the evening pupils attended a performance of playwright and workshop leader Rob Drummond’s show in which they played an integral part. Daniel Dutton, S1, was chosen from the audience to be the focus of the show. The audience watched amazed as Rob created his show in front of their eyes with the participation of the audience.

Tyler Hiddleston, S1 said: “I couldn’t believe it when Rob told us to take out our phones and make sure they were switched on! He asked us to text our friends for advice.” She was further amazed when, during the show, she received a text from the playwright. Pupils have been encouraged to keep writing and submit their work to Rob for his comments and advice in future.

Diamond Jubilee Exhibition

In the Art department S3 students have been creating pieces of work for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee exhibition at the Doon Valley Museum.

Barcelona

The trip to Barcelona will take place from the Sunday 17th June until Saturday 23rd June.

Warning May Contain Losses

All S2 pupils have been working on the Warning May Contain Losses project that has been run between the Business Education & ICT Dept. and Home Economics. The pupils’ challenge was to start-up a company to design and sell a chocolate bar across the school. Each group of 4-5 pupils had to investigate the market to find out about the products available; then discover what influences what we buy and why; design an advertising poster and wrapper for the product; and prepare a PowerPoint presentation. The class winners presented their product to Mr MacKenzie, Mrs Riggins and Miss Borthwick.

The overall winning product was ‘Choco Madness’ designed by Charelle Boyce, Kieran Madden, Morgan Davis and Ryan Crawford. The Choco Madness bar will be available in the school canteen for all to buy from Tuesday 8th May. Congratulations to the winning team and to everyone who took part.

Art visitor

Doon Academy Art pupils were delighted that former pupil Jenny Cumming visited the school to work with S1 and S2 pupils on their designs and discussed ideas with them from her Art Portfolio.

Karate Black Belt

Congratulations to S3 pupil Marina Cameron who has achieved the junior level Black Belt in karate. Martina attends karate classes held in the school gym hall.

Diamond Jubilee

The school is busy preparing for its Diamond Jubilee celebrations. At the end of May there will be an afternoon concert, with refreshments, for local community members with memories of the coronation.

S4 Study leave

All S4 pupils are now on study leave for their SQA examinations. Head teacher Mr. Mackenzie stated: “this is an important time for the students with the culmination of 11 years of school learning. Our students will be studying hard between their exams and we hope that every one of them achieves the grades that they deserve. Good Luck to them all!”

Literacy Wall

The Science department is May's contributor to the Literacy Wall. In Science S1 pupils investigated energy in food. In S2 pupils researched scientists from Scotland and presented their findings. In S3, Biology pupils wrote a report on the journey of oxygen from the air to skin cells. The best pieces of work were produced by: Ryan McCreath (S1); Elleis Peters and Stephanie Bell (S2); and Ashley Mitchell and John Anderson (S3). Congratulations to them!

Storytime

The short listed books for the Cilip Kate Greenaway Medal are now in school and S2 pupils will be reading these books to Dalmellington Primary P1s on Tuesday 29th May. The P1s will then vote for the winning book.

Blackpool trip

The Blackpool Trip bus will depart from the school at 6am on Thursday 31st May. The pick-up time at the New and Old Bridges in Patna is 5.40am.

Netball report

Doon’s S1/2 Netball team travelled to Kyle Academy on Tuesday 1st May to play the League winners. Kyle’s attacking side quickly broke down Rebekah Copeland and Sophie Paulin’s defence and went ahead easily in the first few minutes. Melanie Connell, Brooke Paulin and Savannah McMahon tried desperately to get things active for Doon Academy’s side in the centre court but to no avail. Cheryl Allison played a good game trying to get the ball to Charelle Boyce in the top circle but unfortunately Kyle’s defence proved just too strong for our small school. Alana Murray came on at half time and got the ball to Charelle who scored Doon’s only point. As the game got closer to full time Doon knew there was not going to be a win this time but continued to try their hardest.
Well done to Kyle who gained a comfortable win and remain at the top of the Ayrshire League.
Congratulations to Savannah McMahon who received Player of the Match.

PE Pupils of the month

Well done to Brooke Paulin and Scott Kennedy who achieved the PE Department's Pupils of the Month for May.