REPAIR WORKS
Works will begin on Monday 10 February 2025 for approximately six weeks to repair the roof of the Assembly Hall which was significantly damaged in the recent storm. As this will involve scaffolding and fencing, we will ask young people if staying outside to be well clear and to stay at either the front of the building or the central quadrangle. Once the roof work is completed, we will expect to have further repair work undertaken on the Assembly Hall flooring.
PATHWAYS TO CAREERS
Over 50 employers from across Ayrshire will attend an upcoming event for learners in S3 to S6 and their parents and carers to find out about pathways to careers. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn first hand about future employment routes, apprenticeships and accredited training programmes which tie in with future career aspirations. We will also have a representative from the school in attendance also.
The event takes place at Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock Campus on Wednesday 19 February 2025 from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., with exclusive access to young people with additional support needs from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Sign up is required through following link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/developing-the-young-workforce-ayrshire/pathways-to-careers/2025-02-19/17:30/t-yaxqepo.
DUKE OF EDINBURUGH
This week we had a really well attended showcase and presentation ceremony for our young people who achieved Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. It was a very proud moment for the young people, their families and also for us as a school to recognize their collective commitment to hundreds of hours of the physical, skills and volunteering sections of the programme, as well as training and expedition. We were also inspired by former pupils Andrew and Matthew who talked about their ‘Journey to Gold’. Huge thanks to Mr Blackhurst, Teacher of Mathematics for leading the group and organising the evening, and Mrs Dunlop, our Swimming Instructor for her absolutely outstanding work in ensuring the success of Duke of Edinburgh at Loudoun Academy. Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer and Head of Education presented young people with their awards, and we were grateful to welcome Tim McArthur formerly of Duke of Edinburgh Scotland, and Willie White, Education Officer for East Ayrshire Council as invited guests.
SKI TRIP
I wanted to say a massive ‘well done’ to our 42 young people who returned on Sunday from a week skiing in Val di Fieme, Italy. As well as hearing of how everyone did on the piste, by all accounts the group have to be commended for their brilliant conduct throughout. The staff team could not speak highly enough of our students on return. Well done – one very proud Head Teacher!
Huge thanks to the staff team for their commitment to the trip – particularly Mrs Phillips – Acting Principal Teacher of Home Economics and Physical Education, who organised and led the group whilst still on her maternity leave. Mr Malakoty – Acting Principal Teacher of Art & Design, Mr McQuade – Acting Principal Teacher of Home Economics & Physical Education, Mr Vickers – Principal Teacher of Pupil Support, Miss Hutton – Teacher of Physical Education and Mrs Dunlop – thanks to all for your invaluable support to our students on the trip.
And just as one ski trip is over, next year’s trip opened for interest for January 2026. Students should speak to a member of the PE department – letter attached – to register their interest, no later than 28 February 2025.
2026 Ski Trip Inital Letter (002)
TESCO GALSTON TOKENS
You may know that Tesco in Galston have a Stronger Starts Campaign (better known as the ‘blue tokens’) that allocates money to the bid with the most tokens at the end of the 12 weeks. Miss Ross, Teacher of Physical Education currently has a bid in place at the moment to raise funds for kit for the Girls Football team. If you are in the store, please help by putting some tokens in our box – it would be hugely appreciated.
NETBALL & BASKETBALL SUCCESS
Well done to our Senior Basketball Team who beat St Ninians, East Renfrewshire this week in the West of Scotland final, now progressing to the Scottish quarter finals in top seed to play Queensferry at home – well done to Lincoln who was player of the game. Congratulations also to our senior Netball team who played with real energy and drive, beating Kyle Academy at an away fixture. It is great to see our sporting teams thriving and growing from strength to strength.
SOMEWHERE TO STAY
This week we also welcomed a guest team of artists to work with our S2/3 students on art and poetry exploring stories of forced migration and the experience of refugees. The sessions were really thought provoking and engaging, and I know that our students really valued the input from the team who joined us. The work was linked to a current exhibition at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock called ‘Somewhere to Stay’.
SCHOOL CODE – READY
Over the next fortnight we will be highlighting the following area of our School Code for ‘Ready’:
Stay in class during the lesson
LONG WEEKEND
With the mornings and evenings getting brighter every day now, we’ve reached the mid-term break. School is now closed to students on Monday 10 February 2025 and Tuesday 11 February 2025, re-opening Wednesday 12 February 2025.
Best wishes
David Falconer
Head Teacher
DETERMINATION – QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it” – Michael Jordan
