Leadership Month at Auchinleck Academy will see pupils participate in a range of activities in order to develop and reinforce their leadership skills. Pupils will participate in activities throughout the school with this level of engagement providing a deeper insight into the importance of leadership. Auchinleck Academy wants the young people to rise to the challenge by being responsible, taking the lead and achieving success. Leadership Month will encourage pupils to take responsibility for themselves and others, inspire pupils to take risks, allow them to develop their organisation, communication and self-esteem as well as strengthening their personal and social skills.

The next meeting of the Parent Council will be held on Wednesday 3rd June 2015 in Auchinleck Academy

Wednesday 20th May saw sixteen Under 15 girls travel to Glasgow to compete in a Scottish schools 7 a side tournament. The girls were split into an Auchinleck Rugby side which took part in the ‘established’ pool and the new comers combined with Cumnock Academy to compete in the ‘developing’ tournament.

Auchinleck Rugby was in a pool with local rivals Grange, experienced girls rugby school Oban and SRU School of Rugby Shawlands. The opening game was an Ayrshire derby which Auchinleck Rugby came out on top four tries to two. In the second game Oban showed their experience and run out winners four tries to two. Auchinleck were more competitive in their third game losing narrowly four tries to three.

The pool then broke for lunch, giving the girls a chance to find out how the younger Auchinleck pupils had played in their tournament. The answer was outstanding, they won every game and everyone played well.

For the established pool it was simply play each team again. Grange stepped up and the game finished in a tight four try draw. The Oban game finished five tries to three, with the Shawlands game finishing Shawlands 4 Auchinleck 3.  The results meant that Auchinleck Rugby competing in the higher tournament for the first time finished third. The girls now know the standards required and have a lot of work ahead of them.

The combined side was fairing much better and finished second overall in the developing tournament. However the highlight of their day was meeting Scotland and Glasgow star Mark Bennett, needless to say the girls have a new crush. The day was a massive success with all girls having a ball, the only down side was that Mr Raby burned his head in the sun.

Well done to the team from Auchinleck Academy who were winners of the Frankie and Benny’s Pizza Pasta High School Challenge.

A mixed Auchinleck Rugby team made up of S1 and S2 pupils travelled to Whitecraigs RFC to take on Glasgow based private school, Belmont House. Auchinleck were the quickest off the blocks with a Mauro Caldeira try and a Ruairidh Airlie conversation to make the early score 7-0. Basketball recruit Samuel Gillon showed his handling skills to catch a fine pass and dot down over the whitewash, 12-0. This was the theme of the first half, Mauro scored another typically solo effort after beating several defenders and Airlie added the extras to take the score out to 19-0. Tries from Jamie Drummond, Ross Marr and another from Mauro rounded off the first half and brought the score at the break to Belmont House 0 – 42 Auchinleck Rugby.

Belmont made a change which appeared to raise the hopes of the home side, and the super sub nearly scored early on in the second half but a strong and committed tackle from Hamish White allowed ever present back row forward Drummond to steal the ball and canter the length of the field to score in the corner. Belmont did get their score and it came through the experienced new comer however this was to be the last time that Auchinleck Rugby allowed Belmont House to threaten their line. Further scores from Marr and Kevin Van-Der-Lest, one of which required some neat juggling skills stretched the lead further.  Try of the day was finished off by Van-Der-Lest which consisted of several quick rucks and then  the ball was transferred to captain Andy Houston who spotted his winger in space executed a well-educated and pinpoint cross field kick that took one bounce and went straight into the thankful Van-Der-Lest’s arms, poetry in motion!

Mr Raby was pleased with the performance and urged his charges to keep working hard on their skills as of August Auchinleck Rugby will have regular fixtures. Thanks to Belmont House school for their hospitality. Auchinleck Rugby would like to thank Hope Homes for their support of Rugby in the school. Any business wishing to support Auchinleck Rugby should contact the school and ask for Mr Raby.

To promote mental and social wellbeing during Health and Wellbeing month, the Pupil Support Team would like to offer parents the opportunity to find out more information about the resources and supports that are used by Guidance staff to promote mental wellbeing.  During this session, staff will cover key themes such as bereavement, anxiety issues, self harm, panic attacks and exam stress.  The evening will also provide parents/ carers with time to ask any questions regarding Pupil Support.  It would be useful if you could contact the school office if you would like to attend, however this is not essential, please feel free to come along on the evening.

For more information please contact Mrs Macara.

Friday 24th April saw two Auchinleck Rugby 7s teams travel to Kilmarnock RFC to take part in the Ayrshire 7s festival. Both sides were strong with several experienced Rugby players backed up by eager and pacey footballers and new recruits. The S1 side was a clear stand out, winning their first game against tournament favourites Marr College A, five tries to three. Auchinleck Rugby S1s then went on to win their next game against Garnock Academy eight tries to two, with a twelve tries to nil win against a big Ardrossan Academy team. Two games followed with the same score of seven to nil versus local rivals and club team mates Cumnock Academy and Marr College B. In the final game Loudon Academy were defeated ten tries to nil with man of the match Ruairidh Airlie scoring four fine tries using his strength and speed to great effect. Mr Raby would like to award Jamie Kennedy the Auchinleck Rugby player of the tournament due to his defence and work rate and would like to mention that all the boys played fantastic, well spirted rugby.

 The S2 side were also undefeated and impressively did not concede a single try. In their first game against Cumnock Academy the score line was the same as in the S1 game with Auchinleck Rugby running out winner’s seven tries to nil. Ardrossan Academy was convincingly beaten by eight tries, as were Marr College B by the score of six tries to nil. Auchinleck Rugby S2s were now playing some very attractive rugby with one newcomer more used to the round ball Kaylum Ferguson scoring a couple of fine tries. Garnock Academy was dispatched four tries to nil. The deciding game versus Marr College A was tight with both sides giving their all to break the deadlock however the game finished a scoreless draw. Player of the tournament Andrew Houston led his charges well and all pupils involved should be proud of themselves.

 Next up for Auchinleck Rugby is Belmont House School in May.

Wednesday saw a very enthusiastic Auchinleck Academy Rugby girls’ team travel to Maybole to take on Carrick. Eight S1-S2 girls with only one amongst them, the player of the match Leigh Hill, having played before. They were keen but nervous when they saw the experienced Carrick side warming up. Those nerves appeared to be with the Auchinleck girls throughout as Carrick scored several unanswered tries. Hill was impressive making tackle after big tackle but the Carrick tide kept coming and soon the score was too much. Both Mr Raby and the Carrick Development Officer decided to ‘mix’ the teams up and let the girls learn more from a competitive match. Mr Raby would like to thank the Carrick DO and his team for refereeing the game in the correct manner by allowing certain things to go and keep the game flowing. All of the girls involved enjoyed the experience and have asked for further fixtures to be organised.

Eight was also the number of S3-S4 girls who travelled with Miss McKeich hoping for a win. The game was end to end with new comer to egg shaped happiness, Iona Rogers leaving her mark with some wrecking ball like tackles. Carrick used their strength and made good ground in the tight conditions. Auchinleck Rugby used the width well, and in one brilliant try worthy of any rugby game at any level the ball was passed through four sets of hands to find older sister Louise Hill for a try in the corner. Auchinleck Girls first outing was also against Carrick and that game was lost by one try. Auchinleck Rugby highlighted its rapid improvement by drawing this game nine tries a piece.

Mr Raby would like to thank Hope Homes for their cash donation to Auchinleck Rugby.

Come and join us for some fierce competition for the prestigious title of ‘Young Musician of the Year’. We have five Junior finalists and eight Senior finalists ready to demonstrate their excellent musical talents and entertain you for the evening. As well as our final thirteen, we also have contributions from the Junior and Senior choirs and the Auchinleck and Cumnock Concert Band. Tickets are now on sale from Auchinleck Academy school office, any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on the night of the concert. Refreshments will be available at the interval and are included in the price of your ticket. Come along and enjoy a relaxing evening featuring a variety of musical styles to get you into the holiday mood!

Concert starts at 7pm

All S4 pupils at Auchinleck Academy have been working, throughout the year, on the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).  This initiative provides funding which young people can win on behalf of a charity of their choice.  Pupils at Auchinleck Academy worked to research the needs of their community and to identify a registered charity making a difference to local people.

A number of pupils invited representatives of their chosen charity to visit the school. They were able to ask these representatives questions to help them to gather detailed information about the impact of the work of the charity in the area.  Some pupils visited their chosen charity during their free time.

Pupils then competed against each other by making presentations on behalf of the charity they had chosen.  The final of the competition was held in Auchinleck Academy on Thursday 12^th March. Heather Morrison, Christie Allan, Scott Weir, Laura Borthwick and Lucy Hutton won the competition and were able to present their charity, Gardening Leave, with a cheque for £3000.

Representatives of several local charities attended the event.  The representative of Gardening Leave attended and was delighted with this donation.   She was impressed by the quality of the presentation made by the pupils and by their detailed knowledge about the work of Gardening Leave.