A number of staffing changes are taking place in the school at the moment. Mr McLean of Kyle Academy has been appointed to the post of Senior Teacher of Computing and takes up post on 5 January.

Mrs McDaid from Largs Academy has been appointed to teach Spanish and will job share with Mrs McCandless.

Miss Kay has also been appointed to the post of Principal Teacher of English.

The S4 Prelims are now in full swing and we are grateful to Mrs Lucas and her team of invigilators for their support at this time. This gives the pupils a more realistic experience of the SQA examinations, as these invigilators are the same people who will be responsible for the conduct of the full examinations when they take place later in the session.

The senior management team and the principal teachers have undergone a series of further training with Higher Still arrangements. As well as the normal seminars, Julie Bowen former National Development Officer for Higher Still was also in school for the best part of the day meeting with a number of staff. South Ayrshire is about to finalise a policy of presentation for Higher Still and I will forward these details to parents as soon as it becomes available.

My thanks to a large number of senior pupils who accompanied me to the Armistice Service and Parade. It was a very pleasant surprise to see the weather being so kind to all those present.

The School Board has asked me to let parents know that the Annual School Board report is now available, on request, from the school office.

As ever, please contact the school should you have any concerns.

R Stewart

Head Teacher

We have been spending a great deal of time since our last newsletter trying to support the pupils in Spanish since our temporary teacher left us. After a great deal of searching by the school, parents and the Authority we have a temporary solution with Mrs Cole who will work with the pupils until Mrs McDaid, who was appointed on Wednesday of last week, takes up her post on the 1^st December. In the meantime she will provide study support which will be increased on her arrival for those pupils who would wish to take up the opportunity.

Many thanks for all the concern shown by parents over this issue and also to all the efforts by many people who tried to find a Spanish teacher for us.

The Law Society of Scotland debate was held at Kyle Academy with teams from Kyle, Girvan, Carrick and Stranraer competing. The Carrick team of Scott Crawford and Fraser McFadyen of fourth year, coached by Ms McGugan of the English department, proposed the motion that this house would "Dance on the grave of marriage". Girvan Academy pipped us at the post.

The Association's next event is next week on Wednesday 1 December, when we will be holding our annual Craft Fair in the school Dining Hall from 7.30pm. Cost £2.50p for adults, £1.50p for children and OAP's. Come along and take the opportunity to buy some Christmas presents with a difference.

Two projects put forward for South Ayrshire’sQuality Awards for the "Greatest Contribution to the Council’s Strategy" (Vision 2000) resultedin 1st and 2nd place being awarded to Carrick Academy. Photographed with the trophy are, Mrs Johnstone, Depute, Mr Forsyth, PT Biology, [See Newletter page for photo ] Mrs Watson, PT Home Economics. The winning projects were "How good is our school?" and Carrick’s Peer Helping Programme. The SouthAyrshire Council Awards are designed to acknowledge excellence both across the Council, Community and Voluntary Organisations. Awards are made annually and presentations were made this year in the Walker Halls in Troon, by Viv Lumsden.

A special Assembly was held for first year, which was led by the Gideons representatives. Each pupil was issued with a copy of the New Testament and offered advice on how best to make use of this gift.

As well as hearing about the work of the Gideons, pupils were given the opportunity to ask questions, and make the most of this occasion.

An enthusiastic group of pupils and staff from Maidens have been working with us in Business Studies, after school on Thursdays, learning how to use PC's. So far the group have looked at keyboard training, word processing, graphics and most recently completed an internet awareness course using a CD rom offered by the BBC. Pupils and staff were presented with certificates declaring them to be "Webwise".

Pupils in a range of classes in S3-6 have been taking advantage of BBC's Webwise Campaign this month. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the many advantages of using the internet. The CD rom training package which simulates e-mail, web sites and surfing the net, has proved popular across all year groups.

Norfolk Geography Week

On Sunday, 14 of November, 29 pupils from Carrick Academy went on a trip to Norfolk. The trip lasted 5 days and consisted of activities eg lasers, buggies, quads, climbing and field trips. It went well except from a couple of casualties, who shall remain nameless. The Norfolk people were glad to see us leave as we left them without 2 quads, 1 buggy and a picnic bench. The whole week was successful and even Miss Adams came home in a good mood. We arrived home on Sunday at 10.30pm to a warm welcome from the Mums and Dads of the pupils.

Our bus driver, Dave - better known as "cueball", joined in all our activities, even the climbing wall and he was afraid of heights! He started our football chants on the bus and had a really good time. All of the instructors we had were really good but it was Andy and Si who took us most often. As the children who usually go to the centre are aged 7-11, Andy and Si had to change some of the activities a bit for us. They did really well and we rewarded Andy with an egg on his head the day we left! I hope we didn't give them too hard a time!

The trip was excellent but there's one thing Ms Adam and I won’t be doing again and that was "caving". Ms Adam and I were so frightened we decided we weren't going any further. We had to crawl through the caves and there were things hanging from the roof that you had to use to pull yourself through with. It was murder and I was so glad to get out.

We were all armed to the teeth with Scotland flags and scarves, 'Braveheart' was watched on the bus and all the boys (and some of the girls, it has to be admitted) went around yelling O' Flower O' Scotland at the top of their voices - the reason - a football match! We watched the 'Auld Enemies' battle it out at Wembley on a Cinema screen, by the time it had finished, we all had no voice left!

Scotland won 1 - 0 (but England won 2-1 on aggregate) by the way, just in case you didn't know!

Pupils following the Work Experience 2 courses have been out of school on work placements for a period of 1 week. We look forward to discussing their experiences with them during the assessment process when they return. Many thanks to local organisations who continue to support work experience by offering placements to our pupils. Your co-operation is much appreciated.

Members of Senior Management, accompanied by S1 and S6 pupils have been making evening visits to our Associated Primary schools taking the welcome opportunity to speak to P7 parents and pupils.

These visits have been very useful as a starting point, answering any early queries parents may have - full details of the 2-day induction period in June and the Primary 7 Parents evening will be made a available in due course. Many thanks to our Associated Primaries for making these meetings possible, to the parents who have attended, and not least to the pupils who have helped out over the series of visits.

Several senior pupils attended an Understanding Industry Conference at the Malin Court on Monday 1^st and Tuesday 2^nd November. This was a most successful conference and a super venue, giving the pupils a real insight into the business world. Many thanks to Mr Kerr at Malin Court who made us so welcome and provided us with delicious food during the two days!

Our record of play during November reads played 2, won 1, lost 1 with 2 games unfortunately cancelled due to weather. Our defeat against Cathkin was disappointing with indiscipline within the team. The victory against Glasgow Academy team was well deserved. The team showed good spirit and commitment. The running with the ball and backing up of players was a key feature in the win.

Training has been going on each week on Thursday's after school with a good atmosphere and many of the players developing more team spirit. We look forward in anticipation to the 2 games in December.

The official opening of the All Weather Pitch takes place on Wednesday 1 December. We look forward to the school and the Community making full use of this excellent additional facility

Carrick Academy Orienteerers again excelled in the Ayrshire Schools Winter League this year, winning all 8 stages of the competition, held all around the Ayrshire area.

Their hard work and training paid off and the happy bunch collected their trophy last Sunday afternoon at the final event at Culzean. Team captain Duncan McKellar said "It was a very enjoyable season this year and we are very pleased with our success. Our experience paid off and I hope we can continue this great sport into the Millennium". The team are currently said to be in training and can't wait until their next competition.

Well done!

Well done all swimmers from Carrick Academy who took part in the above Gala. Congratulations in particular go to the following swimmers who were placed in their races:-

Lewis Grant Gold - 200m Individual Medley, Silver - 100m Freestyle

Katy Barker Silver - 100m Breastroke, Bronze - 100m Freestyle

Alistair Campbell Silver - 100m Breastroke

Michael Kean Silver - 200m Individual Medley, Silver - 100m Breastroke

Girls Relay 4x50m Bronze - 13/14years

Katie Barker, Abigail Davidson, Amy Jones, Sarah Hamilton

Thanks to Margaret Hodgart and Marjorie Donnachie from Maybole Swimming club for being very able Team Managers. Thanks also to Michael Kean 6^th year, for helping with the organisation of the team.

Monday 29^th November S4 Prelims start Thursday 16^th Dec Xmas Praise

Tuesday 30^th November S2 Profiles issued Monday 20^th Dec Junior Dance

Wed 1^st December Craft Fair Wed 22^nd Dec Senior Dance

Thursday 23^rd December School closes 2.30 pm