Cluster primaries meet up
All Ayr Academy cluster primary ( P6) pupils from Annbank, Coylton, Newton and Dalmilling participated enthusiastically in a very successful sporting morning at Rozelle Park in Ayr.
The PE department would like to thank everyone involved including all 140 primary participants, SRU, Active Schools, Ayr Academy Staff and Ayr Academy Sport and Recreation pupils who volunteered to help.
All primary pupils participated in orienteering, handball, rugby and netball activities. All pupils involved enjoyed the events – both the socialising aspect and the physical activity focus. The school look forward to welcoming pupils to their brand new state of the art sports facilities in the new school in August 2017.
Interviews took place recently for school captains and vice captains for the new session. Congratulations to the newly appointed captaincy team for session 2016/ 17:
Head Girl – Heather Reid; Head Boy – Euan Wilson; vice captains – Iona Fulton, Rory Turley and Eilidh McKay.
As part of the ongoing TIMPIX project, the physics department were lucky to be able to invite Professor Val O’Shea who works in the Particle Physics Experimental group at the University of Glasgow into school to talk to pupils.
He helped develop the MEDIPIX sensor that the TIMPIX students have been using to analyse data from the ISS. Laura Thomas from IRIS ( Insitiute for Research in Schools) was able to join him and she brought a MEDIPIX sensor for the students to use to help further their studies on particle radiation.
Well done to Katrena McDonald who was nominated for Science Teacher of the Year for all her hard work in promoting the TIMPIX project and supporting pupils with this.
Mrs McDonald travelled to London with head teacher Kate MacDonald to the TES National Awards ceremony which took place in London’s Excelsior Hotel. Although Mrs McDonald didn’t come back with the title, the school are very proud of her nomination and appreciate all her hard work, and passion for physics and science.
A small team of S3 Physics students took part in the Bloodhound SSC challenge at Ayr College.
The students - Chloe Burnett, Alan Haddow, Jack Rennie and James Smith – Team Dory - volunteered their time to learn about the science and technology behind the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car and land- speed record that it is hoping to break in South Africa.
The project’s aim is to encourage and excite students to become more engaged in STEM subjects and aspire to help develop our future. The team managed to have one of the top three speeds for the Ayrshire heat, but unfortunately did not qualify for the overall Scotland final.
The school said farewell to Mrs Hamilton, PT English, Mr McGill, teacher of niology, and Mrs Beveridge, teacher of mathematics, who all retire at the end of this session.
They also bid goodbye to, Ms Laird, teacher of English, who will take up a new post at Prestwick Academy, and Ms Donoghue, principal teacher of guidance, who will take up a new post at Carrick Academy, and finally Ms Hall, teacher of design and technology, who will take up a new post in Kent.
Mr Crookston, the new qualified teacher in PE, has an excellent year and the academy are delighted that he has just secured a permanent post within South Ayrshire Council.
Ayr Academy would like to thank them all for their hard work and commitment to the pupils of the pupils and wish them well for the future.
The last whole school event of the session was the annual prize giving ceremony in the Auld Kirk.
The event was as well attended and successful as ever and the school were delighted to welcome former pupil Professor Caroline Hollins Martin, Professor of Maternal Health, Theme Lead for Women and Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Edinburgh Napier University as guest speaker.
School captains’ speeches were as entertaining as usual and many pupils and their families returned to Ayr Academy for tea, shortbread and informal chat with staff.
This year’s SQA examination results will be delivered to pupils on Tuesday, August 9.
Mr McGuigan will be in school on that day from 10am- noon to offer help and advice as necessary to UCAS applicants.
On August 11, members of the senior management team will be available to meet with any pupil who, due to their exam results, would like to change their option choices. Letters will be sent out to pupils with exact dates and times during the summer break.
Staff will return for in service days on August 16 and 17, and pupils will return on Thursday August 18.