The application process for school clothing grants and free school meals is changing.

As part of the Council’s commitment to transforming our services and offering best value to our customers, the application process for school clothing grants and free school meals is changing.

From Tuesday 4 June 2019 all applications must be made online – and this can be done from a smart phone, PC, laptop or tablet.

Please don’t apply before then as we are no longer accepting advance paper applications.

The new system will make applying for clothing grants and free school meals simpler, faster and more cost effective to administer.

If you, or someone you know does not have online access, please call 01563  554400 (option 3) and a member of staff will complete the form over the phone on your behalf.

Learn more here and remember to check back and make your application on, or after Tuesday 4 June.

Right of the month for April and May has been Article 22: If a child is seeking refuge or has refugee status, governments must provide them with appropriate protection and assistance to help them enjoy all of the rights in the Convention.

In PLP classes this month pupils have been learning about the refugee crisis in Europe, and the reasons why so many children and their families are being forced to flee from their homes in search of safety in other countries. Pupils also learned about what it means to be a refugee during the recent Global Goals Interdisciplinary Project. In the Modern Languages department S2 pupils carried out some research into the conflict in Syria, and found out that many children in Syria and other war torn countries are being denied some of their basic rights, such as the right to protection from violence, the right to education and the right to health and health services. They also reflected on how it must feel to have to leave their home at short notice, possibly never to return, with only a small bag of belongings.

Our S1 pupils have been busy with hand-crafting their acrylic clocks in the Technical department. With thanks to local signage company EMG, who refused offer of payment for the vinyl sticky back plastic so the children could more ably express their creativity.

Details of the selection procedures for our new School and House Captains are as follows:

Friday 26th April: Details and application form on website and school app for pupils

Friday 7th June: Closing date for application forms

Tuesday 11th June: Candidates informed by email if they have an interview with details of date and time

Tuesday 18th June: Interviews with staff and pupils

How to apply

An application form should be submitted to Mrs McPheator by 2.55pm on Friday 7th June at the latest. It would be preferable if the application was completed electronically and emailed to amanda.mcpheator@east-ayrshire.gov.uk but they can also be printed or hand written but cannot exceed one page of A4 paper. Copies of the application form will be available at the Main Office and Guidance Teachers’ offices. No late applications will be accepted.

If you have any questions please speak to Mrs McPheator.

A group of S1 and S2 pupils participated in a litter pick around the grounds of Auchinleck Academy last week. Pupils came up with this idea themselves after taking part in the recent S2 Interdisciplinary Project on children’s rights and the Global Goals. Organising regular litter picks in the school and community was their ‘idea for change’ to support the local environment and help tackle climate change. S2 pupils are hoping to recruit more volunteers to take part in their next litter pick which will be taking place soon in the local community. This is a great example of pupils coming together and taking action to improve our environment and help tackle climate change. Well done!

After School Football

Football is on again on Wednesdays after school, 3pm-4pm.  All age groups and abilities welcome.  Pupils should arrange their own transport home.  See Mr Kidd for details.

AUCHINLECK ACADEMY SENIOR PROM

As many of you will be aware this year’s senior prom is scheduled to take place on Thursday 30^th May at Sorn Castle.

Please be aware that any pupils who appear to be under the influence of alcohol on arrival will be refused entry to the venue. In this case, parents will be asked to collect pupils and take them home.

The schedule for the night is as follows:

5.30pm             – Pupils begin to arrive at the hotel. (Photographs will be taken at this time – option to have photos

                           inside the venue as well with pupils being seated a table at a time to allow this to happen)

7.00pm             – Dinner is served

9.00pm             – Awards and party

Midnight          – Last dance

12.15am           – Pupils to be collected or board buses back to villages

All pupils attending prom have already been given the opportunity to book a place on the buses returning to villages. Buses will be leaving Sorn Castle at approximately 12.15 midnight and there will only be one stop per village. The drop-off points for each village are detailed below:

Auchinleck       – Auchinleck Academy

Mauchline        – Bus stop at the petrol station

Ochiltree          – Primary School

Drongan           – Games Hall

Catrine             – The Square

Muirkirk           – Games Hall

Sorn                 – Primary School

We will ensure that pupils are on the appropriate buses leaving the venue and would ask that you make the appropriate arrangements for the pupils to get home from their pick-up points.

This year photos will be taken by Air Image Photography. Pupils will be able to purchase their photos on the night from the viewing station or after the evening directly from Air Images’ website. There will also be use of a photo booth for two hours during the course of the night.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Yours Sincerely,

Lynsey Brook

PT Music

A copy of the 2019 SQA timetable is attached below.

SQA exam timetable 2019

S4/5/6 pupils who are interested in doing a work placement during study leave should see Mr Kidd for more details.

Auchinleck Academy’s Right of the Month for March has been Article 24, Health and Health Services: Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

 To raise awareness of this right and to celebrate World Water Day, all pupils watched a presentation in PLP time about the importance of having clean water. They learned that Global Goal six for Sustainable Development commits world leaders to ensuring that everyone has access to drinking water by 2030. Pupils were surprised to find out that 663 million people in the world currently do not have access to safe, clean water. Pupils then took part in a class quiz to test their knowledge about water. They also contributed to a penny collection which raised £42.42 to add to our funds for Jebbeh Kiazolu school in Liberia. The money we have raised will help Mary’s Meals to keep providing nutritious food and clean water to the children and young people of Jebbeh Kiazolu. This is yet another great example of Auchinleck Academy pupils supporting other young people to access their rights- well done!