Headlines from Mr Stewart

Carrick Academy

December 1999

HEADLINES FROM MR STEWART

The term has built up an McLean will join us from Higher Still courses on offer incredible pace careering Kyle Academy. for next session. Pupils will towards the Millennium. We Congratulations are due to Ms be given information to take have taken all the precautions Gilgallon who was appointed home with them so that we that we can to ensure as Principal Teacher, can keep parents fully everything will be in working Business Studies at Queen informed of these order when we return in the Margaret Academy. She will developments. New Year. be replaced by June Gilliland at the start of the new term. I would like to take the After our Christmas Services opportunity to thank all in Maybole West we say On our return the S4 pupils parents, pupils and staff for goodbye to staff and thank who are just finishing their all the good wishes we have them for their dedication and prelims begin the Higher Still received and wish everyone a hard work. In Computing Mr Option Choice process. They very happy Christmas and an Barraclough and Mr Rae will will be given a number of enjoyable healthy and trouble leave us and our new Senior important pieces of free New Year. Teacher of Computing Mr information which will help them in their choices of Best wishes – Rodger Stewart

Attendance Details

Attendance has long been recognised as a key factor in raising attainment and the Scottish Executive has just sent out the National Attendance figures for the past 3 sessions. I am delighted to report that the school attendance figures are highest in South Ayrshire and well above the National Average.

These figures have been achieved by the hard work of pupils, parents and staff as well as the support given by the local attendance committee. Everyone is to be congratulated for this quite outstanding achievement.

Proof of Age Scheme Tam O’ Shanter Trip

On Friday 3 December, Holly Thomson was On the 2nd December several pupils from the presented with a prize she won in a competition second year went to the Tam O’Shanter Centre, organised by South Ayrshire’s Proof of Age where they were shown various attributes and Scheme. skills needed for the running of an establishment such as a hotel. These pupils were from Mrs She correctly guessed the birthday and age of a Blease’s HE class, and they all said it was a girl for the prize of a camera. Her camera was worthwhile experience and it gave them some presented to her by Craig McClue of Trading ideas for future careers in the tourist and Standards. hospitality industries. Christmas Concert On the cold, dark, wet evening of 16th December, it was a delight once again to see Maybole Town Hall filled with a capacity audience (standing room only) for the annual "Christmas Celebration" Concert. There were over 140 Carrick pupils who had chosen to take part in the Concert, earning Junior Challenge and House Points for participation. The excellent musical " Secret Agents" was presented by the Junior Chorus, which ensured that the performance was varied. In the second half of the concert, our more senior pupils led off with the newly formed "Soul Band" bringing us popular hits. Both the Male and Female Choruses were in action, performing traditional Christmas numbers as well as more up tempo, popular items. The Woodwind group played a beautiful Christmas selection and the Brass Band were superb as always.

Scott Crawford had the audience in stitches as the Rev. I.M. Wright in a sketch which sought to deliver the Christmas message in the style of Rikki Fulton's "Rev. I.M. Jolly". As always this event could not have taken place without the support of staff, parents, pupils and helpers. Many thanks to all who contributed, this year's proceeds go to the Barbara McGill Trust and the Oasis Trust in London. Fifth Year Work Experience Twelve pupils had a taste of working life for one week during the month of December They were to be found in garages, Ayr Hospital, Turnberry Hotel, several shops in Ayr High Street and some even went to see the vets! Children in Need A variety of activities took place on Friday 26th November. These ranged from The Full Monty by Senior boys, leg waxing, hair painting, beat the goalie, various funfair stall activities and collecting any spare change that people had. The whole thing was organised by the Sixth Year and they raised a magnificent £950.

Third Year Safety Project

Councillor Hill and representatives of the Community Protection Department issued certificates to Home Economics pupils on Monday, 29th November. Those who received a certificate were: Tammy Boyce 3Y2, Laura Brown 3G1, Victoria Ferguson 3B2, Arlene Ferguson 3B2, Karen Graham 3Y1, Claire Gregory 3B1, Gavin Hamilton 3Y1, Kelly Hanson 3G1, Lisa Hunter 3G1, Krystle Kelly 3G1, Joanne Livingstone 3Y1, Margaret Anne McDowall 3R1, Stephanie Moore 3Y1, Lana Murphy 3B2, Christy Patterson 3G1, Rosalyn Smith 3B2, Lynne Turnbull 3G1.

S4 Prelims Computerised reporting

S4 began preliminary exams for their Standard Following the prelim exams, S4 reports will be Grades on Monday 29th November. These issued in due course. On this occasion, reports exams are very important preparation for their will be in a written format instead of the usual exams in May and the diet will run until the final computerised version. This is the result of week of term. Higher and SYS prelims will take technical problems with our computerised place in early February. reporting system.

Carrick Academy Games Workshop Clubs

The Games Workshop Club would like to express their grateful thanks to the Campus Workshop Ayr branch ( in particular Alex ) who have kindly made a generous donation to the Club in the form of paints, brushes, glue, figures, magazines and games. This has been of particular benefit to our beginners. The club is for S1/2 pupils but older pupils with a particular interest would not be excluded. The club meets every Monday and Tuesday lunchtime in the Art Department and is primarily for painting models.

S1/2 Initiatives

After our very rewarding S1/2 appeal for Kosovo, the pupils have taken a deep breath and immediately decided to make Christmas parcels for some of the local elderly population. Parcels are to be made of non-perishable goods such as; tinned food, pasta, rice or dried produce. All houses have joined Yellow house in participating in this worthwhile event and a small prize will be given to the class donating most goods. The parcels will be distributed by Senior Pupils next week in time for Christmas. Thank you to all pupils and parents for kindly donating to this appeal.

Green House are busy selling Music Quiz Sheets on the run up to Christmas, to raise money for charity. Try to buy one as a family game for get togethers at Christmas, it should prove fun. Other initiatives are planned for next term.

School Dances

The buzz around the school lets us know that Christmas is around the corner and coming up fast. Carrick's own "Millennium bashes" take place on Monday 20 December and Wednesday 22 December in Maybole Town Hall. Tickets have been selling very fast and a large turnout is expected.

It continues to be a source of amazement to staff to see how adult S1/2 & 3 girls appear when dressed up for this event. They seem to be so much older on the night it is hard, sometimes, to recognise them as the same young pupils who have been in class just hours before. The Pupil Social Committee would like to thank all pupils and staff for the hard work and organisation that goes into making these dances such enjoyable, successful and memorable events.

Cyberstudy - "surfing homework"

A range of homework exercises can be found at the following internet site: www.south- ayrshire.gov.uk./cyberstudy. The site has been constructed by a teacher who has been seconded to promote the use of the internet to support study. The range of exercises/challenges and links will be further developed in the future.

All Weather Pitch

This was officially opened on the morning of Wednesday, 1 December by Councillor Andrew Hill. Enquiries for using these facilities should be directed to Community Education on Maybole 882105.

Bus Times

All buses will be at 2.30 pm on the last day (Thursday) with the exception of the Dunure bus which will be at 2.35 pm and the Kirkoswald/Maidens bus which will leave at 1.40 pm.

The Phantom of the Opera at Edinburgh Playhouse, Wednesday 15 December.

The gallant thespians of Carrick Academy and Marr College, travelled to the Edinburgh Playhouse to enjoy the matinee performance of the Phantom of the Opera. Everyone who participated in the excursions was uplifted by the dramatic production and its powerful message. Following the show we all had a fish supper and journeyed home, with the Music of the Night still ringing in our ears. Thanks to Mrs Fitzpatrick for organising this excursion and Mrs Swan for watching over us.

Scott Crawford 4Y2

Visit to Gaiety Theatre on Friday 17th December

40 – S1 and S2 pupils accompanied by Mrs Fitzpatrick, Miss Findlay, Mrs Swan and Mrs Gilmour went to the Gaiety last Friday morning.

We thought the pantomime Sleeping Beauty was very good and funny. All of us had a great time. I thought Norvel and Fairy Nuff were the funniest. We were dancing to YMCA at Sleeping Beauty, it was brilliant. Miss Findlay had us singing on the bus. I hope next year we can go again with Miss Findlay and Mrs Fitzpatrick.

Written by Vicky McMullen and Michelle Reid 1Y1

Carrick Academy Association

The Association would like to express it’s thanks for the support it has received over the past session and also to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! Dates for the Diary

1999 Wednesday 22 December Senior Dance Thursday 23 December Church Service, School Closes 2.30 pm

2000 Wednesday 5 January Pupils return to school Wednesday 26 January S4 Profiles issued Thursday 27 January Burns Supper , Town Hall