S5/6 Supported Study – February 2012
The link below gives details of Supported Study available to S5/6 pupils for prelims in February 2012.
Open as normal – 18/01/2012
School is open as normal today, Wednesday 18th January 2012.
S1 Parents’ Night CANCELLED-Tuesday 17th January 2012
S1 Parents’ Night, scheduled for tonight, Tuesday 17th January 2012, has been cancelled due to an electrical fault in the school.
Parents/Carers will be informed as soon as a new date is set.
Law Society of Scotland, Donald Dewar Memorial Debate – Tuesday 10th January
Well done to Matthew Cosslett and Stewart Wightman, in S5, who successfully progressed through to the 2nd round of the Law Society of Scotland Schools debating competition. They were up against stiff competition from Belmont Academy, Ardrossan Academy and Stranraer Academy. The boys debated the motion This House believes that the right to privacy is more important than the freedom of the press. Belmont Academy also progressed to the next round. The 2nd round will take place later on this month.
G Factor Final – 19th December 2011
The G Factor final was on Monday 19th December in the school theatre. The 12 finalists were
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Hannah Macpherson |
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Breaking Silence |
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Allison Noble |
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Reef Garner |
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Y Dance |
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Marie Tait |
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Sensation |
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Aaran McGarvie |
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Bubble and Squeak |
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Andrew Murphy |
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Natalie Purdie |
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Jack N That |
The finalists performed to a brilliant capacity crowd and wowed the audience with their superb talent. The judges, Mr Reed, Miss Hutchison, Miss Wilson and Mr Muir did a great job commenting on all the acts and were delighted with the improvement in all the performances from the auditions. They commented that the talent in Girvan Academy was top notch and were all very proud of the pupils who took part in auditions and the final.
The top 3 place were
1st – Andrew Murphy and the Murphettes - Feeling Good.
2nd – Natalie Purdie singing Without You
3rd – Arran McGarvie singing Marry You
Thanks to everyone who helped with the organisation of the night.
Parents’ Newsletter – December 2011
Click the link below to view the Parents’ Newsletter issued to all pupils via school bag post on Wednesday 21st December 2011.
South Ayrshire Youth Forum Awards – 14th December 2011
Girvan Pupil Council recently attended the South Ayrshire Youth Forum Awards Ceremony at Ayr Town Hall where they were finalist in the nomination for a ‘Community Involvement’ award. The nomination had been given for their work in the ‘regeneration’ of the Girvan Area. The Pupil Council are committed to ensuring that the voice of young people is heard in the local area and that their contribution counts.
Coca Cola ‘Real Business Challenge’ – 22nd November 2011
Girvan Academy pupils recently took part in the Coca Cola ‘Real Business Challenge’ at the Scottish Finals in Stirling. During the competition the group of S3 pupils had to design a sustainability initiative to encourage more people to recycle. The pupils presented an excellent idea to the judges, combined with both radio advert and advertising logo boards. Although, they did not get through to the national finals, it was a huge achievement in reaching the Scottish finals. Well done to all involved.
S5/6 Interview Day – 2nd December 2011
As part of our career education and post-school destination planning programme, on Fri 2nd Dec, Girvan Academy held its second S5/6 Interview Day, supported by Mapeley Estates Management Company.
A scenario was created that a major leisure and cultural centre was opening in Girvan, and that a management company was recruiting for a wide range of posts, from an Operations Manager to a Cinema Assistant.
S5 and S6 pupils ‘applied’ for one of these posts and were then interviewed, in a very formal and realistic manner, by guest interviewers from local and national employers and businesses. including Turnberry, Asda, Mapeley and the Royal Navy.
165 pupils were interviewed in Carrick Buildings, during a very hectic morning. The interviewers completed an assessment matrix, and at the end of the event 17 pupils were the successful candidates and ‘got the job’. The successful candidates received a certificate and a gift voucher. All pupils received feedback from their interviews with tips to improve.
The evaluations from pupils, interviewers and parents were extremely positive, and we have already pencilled in next year’s event in Dec 2012, with interviewers already booked up!
S4 – Extended Study Leave/Cancelled Prelim
Further to the disruption to exams on Thursday 8th December 2011 due to the adverse weather conditions, study leave will be extended and exams re-scheduled. Letters will be posted to all S4 parents today.
Extended Study Leave
Study Leave will now run until Friday 16th December, all S4 pupils should return to school on Monday 19th December 2011 at 8.45am.
Exam Arrangements
Exams due to take place on Thursday 8th December will now be held as follows:
Social & Vocational Skills
G 9.10am – 10.10am Dance Studio Friday 16th December
Biology G 11.00am – 12.30pm Dance Studio Friday 16th December
Biology C 1.10pm – 2.40pm Dance Studio Friday 16th December
OPEN AS NORMAL
Girvan Academy is open as normal today, Friday 9th December 2011.
Information will be sent to parents/pupils in relation to S4 Prelims cancelled yesterday.
GIRVAN ACADEMY CLOSED
Girvan Academy is closed to all pupils today, Thursday 8th December 2011.
S4 Prelims scheduled for today will be re-arranged.
Law Society Scotland
Matthew Cosslett and Stuart Wightman took part in the ESU Scotland Base Debating Competition on Tuesday 4 October at Castle Douglas High School.
The boys were up against teams from Saint Josephs College and Kirkbight. Although unsuccessful to the next round. The team did very well and were a credit to school
Pupils take part in Rememberance Day
Girvan Academy remembered those who fought and lost their lives for their country. All pupils attended their house assemblies conducted by the house captains, the assembly raised important messages around the theme of remembrance and all pupils were moved by a video that was played. The video featured valiant soldiers who’s life has been changed by war and told stories of brave soldiers who have recently lost their life due to war. Poppies were sold after the assemblies and throughout the week, the whole school joined the rest of the country on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in two minutes of silence to remember them who bravely gave their life for us.
By Jay Taylor
Pupils do well in UKMT senior maths challenge
On Friday, 25th November, Alison Pitt(S6), Andrew Brown(S6), Noor Court(S5) and Stuart Wightman(S5) left Girvan Academy to make their way to the University of the West of Scotland to take part in the UKMT senior maths challenge regional final. Read more >>
Girvan pupils treated like Little VIP’s
A group of S3 Administration pupils from Girvan Academy attended Little VIP’s concessionary store, in Hourston’s Department store in Ayr, to learn about business. On arrival, pupils were given a tour and information into the organisation of a department store. Next they were taken to the conference room where they listened actively to a presentation by the Director of Little VIP’s Miss Messenger. The Director discussed the history of Little VIP’s and talked about the risks and effort required to run a business. After this pupils undertook a number of active learning activities during the day such as; selecting items of clothing from the childrenswear range, dressing mannequins, processing orders through the electronic till system and checking stock using EPOS technology. Next pupils were placed in groups and set a business challenge by the Director of Little VIP’s. Pupils were tasked with generating an idea for an item of clothing or accessory that could be added to the range. Their ideas were then presented to Miss Messenger who gave them constructive feedback on their presentations and a prize was awarded to the team with the best idea. To reward their hard work, pupils were treated to lunch and dessert courtesy of Little VIP’s in the Alloway Room Restaraunt in the store. Overall pupils had a fantastic experience within a real life business context and all pupils involved thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Team Fusion – South Ayrshire Business Challenge winners 2011.
On the 16 November 2011 Schools from South Ayrshire were invited by NATS to take part in a “Dragon’s Den” style Business Challenge. The competition took place at NATS (National Air Traffic Service) at their £180m Prestwick Centre where just under half of the UK’s air traffic is controlled from.
Industrial Action – 30th November 2011
Cick on the link below to view the letter distributed to all pupils on 23rd November during Period 5 class.
Higher History and Modern Studies trip to Edinburgh.
If you weren’t lucky enough to be part of Girvan Academy’s Higher History and Modern Studies trip to Edinburgh last week then we’re sorry you missed out. The 26 students and 3 staff involved spent the first afternoon either visiting the Castle and learning about the First World War or watching a live debate at the Scottish Parliament. After checking in to the 4 star Frederick House Hotel they enjoyed an excellent meal at the capital’s trendy Hard Rock Café and then sampled a taste of Edinburgh’s lively night life, with some students going to see a film at the Vue Cinema and others watching the musical ‘Sister Act’ at Edinburgh Playhouse. Following a well-deserved restful night, staff and students had a delicious full Scottish breakfast at the hotel followed by a ghoulish tour of the terrifying Edinburgh Dungeons. Finally, students were given some free time to explore Edinburgh’s Princes Street before heading home. Students and staff had a fantastic time. Hope more of you can make it next time!
