June 2000

Carrick Academy

 

Headlines From Mr Stewart

Another session has flown past. Lets hope all the work the pupils and staff have put into the session culminates in success for all those involved.

We have been informed to expect SQA examination results around Thursday 10 or Friday 11 August so should there be a need to re-negotiate courses due to results, pupils are invited to visit the school between 2pm and 4pm on 14 August to see Mrs Johnstone.

At the time of writing the end of session trips have not yet taken place but staff and pupils are eagerly awaiting going to Alton Towers, Ireland, Loudoun Castle and there is also football and a karaoke contest for those remaining in school.

We welcomed the primary seven pupils who joined us on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 June and this was followed by a Parents Evening on the Thursday. We hope that the introduction will have settled the nerves for the youngsters prior to them becoming Carrick Academy pupils in August.

On the staffing front we say goodbye to Mrs Boag in the English department who will be moving to Ayr Academy. We wish her every success for the future. We don’t have any other staffing information at this time but a number of posts have still to be finalised.

I hope everyone has a most enjoyable and relaxing holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone again on our return on 21 August.

As ever please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns.

R Stewart

Headteacher

This event took place on Monday 26 June in the Town Hall at 7pm. Guest Speaker this year was Mr Ken Crawford a former Carrick Academy pupil who is now Stadium Facilities Manager at Rangers Football Club. The presentation of prizes was carried out by Miss McCrindle our former Assistant Principal Teacher of Learning Support who retired last session.

We said our goodbyes to our leavers on the afternoon of Friday 9 June. We were impressed by the large turnout of pupils who were presented with their completed Progress File.

On Friday 2 June the South Ayrshire Directorate team met with the Senior Management Team from the school to review progress against out set targets. I am pleased to report that we were seen to have made significant progress in almost all of the set targets and that we received a very favourable report. They were very impressed as have other local school boards with the school’s attendance rate and the strategies used in progressing this target. The school’s Quality Assurance procedures was another area which was seen as a major strength where all departments were using the ‘How Good is Our School’ Performance Indicators to identify areas of strength and areas for development. Our progress in the development of Inclusive Education was praised as significant progress has been made although we are not yet a pilot for this area.

After a process of application and interview the following pupils were successful in filling the posts of School captains/vice captains and House captains/vice captains.

School	Captains		David Cannon		Jennifer Dunlop
School Vice Captains		Alison Butcher		Chris Thomson
House Captains - Blue		Catriona Lazenby	Alistair Campbell
Vice Captain - Blue		Elaine Wyllie
House Captains - Green		Stacey Gardner		Susan Kerr
Vice Captains - Green		Julie Ireland		Jim Montgomerie
House Captains Red		Michael Dunabie		Jill Tomlinson
Vice Captains - Red		Kirstie Semple		John Forson
House Captains - Yellow		Caroline Hamilton	Alison Murray
Vice Captains - Yellow		Deborah Hart		Donna Kennedy

The Lifeskills Class had great pleasure in presenting a cheque for £20 to a small group of children from Belarus who were visiting Maybole, staying with local families. The children were in the town for 10 days and fly home today (Tuesday). We wish them all the best and hope to see them again.

Both Bronze and Silver groups were out on Expedition in the Galloway hills forest park this month. The Bronze group of 16 candidates on Saturday/Sunday 3^rd /4^th June, walked from St John's Town of Dalry to Bruce's stone via Clatteringshaws Loch. The Silver group of 18 candidates have just returned from Glen Trool after walking 47 kms over three days. Charlie the dog was there on both occasions to keep the groups spirits up. Unfortunately the famous Glen Trool midges were out in force, driving the candidates and staff alike to the limits of their endurance! On a happier note a group of twenty D of E candidates spent a very successful and highly enjoyable week at the Outward Bound Centre in Ullswater 12-16 June. Such was the enthusiasm of the group that it is hoped to offer a similar course next year.

L Bryden

Buses - Wednesday 28^th June 2000 - all buses will be at 1 pm with the exception of the Smith's Dailly bus which will leave at 12 noon

The Ayrshire Chefs in conjunction with Kilmarnock College organised a baking competition for 1^st to 6^th year. Annise Wilson (pictured left) of 5R1 has achieved success 2 years in a row. Last year winning the Shield for the best apple tart and this year 3^rd place for her swiss roll. She was presented with a trophy, a certificate and the school received a case of garnishing tools. The other finalist were:- Alex Williamson 1R1, Graham Cuthill 1G1, Donald McLeod 3B1, Christy Patterson 3G1, Lisa Taylor 3G1, Dana McMillan 3B2, Yvonne Hughes 4R1. Well done everyone!

Dates for the Diary 17^th & 18^th August In-service day for teaching staff

21^st August Pupils return