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Some Feedback
"I never knew this web site existed until today - fantastic." Colin Wilson "Your website is worth its weight in gold." Tony Lord "I only just came across this web-site thanks to facebook...i've been having a good laugh at some of the pictures and stories..." John Findlay "Great things in this site. Congratulations to you & all involved." Robert Ireland "Irish" "Just had to say that I think the website is fantastic!" Malcolm Fulton "Just been checking out your website. How wonderful! Brought back some lovely memories." Lauren Logan |
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 by Dr Neil Dickson |
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Kilmarnock Academy |
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 Thanks to Sirius Concepts for hosting our school website. |
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| Kilmarnock Academy School Web Site |
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 Welcome to School Web Site |
DOCTOR DICKSON HAS LEFT THE BUILDING |
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Doctor Neil Dickson, the longest-serving member of our English Department, has now left the building and is currently en route to a happy retirement. He joined the staff of Kilmarnock Academy in August 1977 on the day that Elvis died. In his 32 years at Kilmarnock Academy Neil has provided enlightenment and inspiration as well as compassion, understanding and humour (being an Aberdeen supporter, he certainly needed the humour). Throughout his career at KA, he has had his share of 'difficult' classes but always managed to get them on his side. Special thanks is due to Neil for all of the time, expertise and wisdom he has contributed to the creation and development of the history sections of the school website. His mischievous contribution to KA mythology and the world of fiction was "The Ghost of A Floor" . He will be missed by all those who value decency, integrity and knowledge and, above all, he will be missed by his pupils. We wish Neil a long and happy retirement. We also wish Mr Maider and Mrs Lyon a long and happy retirement. |
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WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEKEND Friday: Rather dull and misty around Glasgow at first, otherwise bright or sunny again. However, there is the risk of a few showers in the afternoon or evening. Moderate easterly winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C . Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Rather dull and damp at times, especially further east. Generally drier and brighter towards the west coast. Easterly winds continuing . |
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WELL DONE OWEN! We are pleased to report that KA pupil Owen Gemmell has been awarded the Kilmarnock Rugby Clubs S2 Coaches Player of the Year trophy. Owen takes his rugby seriously and this year his hard work, dedication and skill have brought rewards and recognition. Owen, who is a second row forward in the scrum, plays for the S2 every Sunday and trains with the team every Wednesday night. This year Kilmarnocks S2s won their own Tounament, beating Cumnock RFC , Strathaven RFC and Cartha Queens Park RFC. |
| READERS' CUP 2009 One sunny day in June, KA's 2009 Readers Cup team - along with reserves, supporters, Miss Brown, Mr King & Toby the Library Assistant - set off for Auchinleck Academy to compete in the annual S1 & S2 Readers Cup competition. Well, given that there are nine Secondary Schools in East Ayrshire, coming 7th wasn't too bad! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and the team (and Mr King!) went away with goody bags to commemorate the event. I don't think any of our supporters managed to win anything in the free-for-all that was the audience quiz - this consisted of shouting out answers as loud and as quick as possible. Our pupils were much too well behaved for that! Auchinleck Academy won - again - so this time next year we will be travelling down to their school to compete. We'll get our team chosen much earlier - so I can do a bit of coaching....perhaps! |
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| DID YOU SEE REPORTING SCOTLAND AT 6.30PM THURSDAY 11th JUNE? If you tuned in to Reporting Scotland on Thursday 11th June you would have caught a fleeting glimpse of life at KA. A team from BBC News visited Mrs Dunsmuir's class to film Mrs D teaching and interview her, as well as three pupils, about the present exam system. By the time the footage was transmitted at 6.30pm, other news developments meant that the report had been shortened and, while we did get some colourful footage of Mrs D and her class, the interviews were completely cut from the report - a pity as we always like to hear what Mrs D has to say. After filming at KA, the news team - Kevin Jackson and cameraman, Pete Cole - also had reports on Setanta and on Swine Flu to film, edit and have ready for the news at 6.30. Now that's pressure! |
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| 'TIMES ED' AT KA While the BBC were filming Mrs Dunsmuir's class, upstairs in Home Economics Miss Lamont was the focus of attention. Chris, photographer for the Times Ed, was taking some shots of Miss Lamont in action to accompany a follow-up piece on probationer teachers for an upcoming edition of the Times Ed. |
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| A FURTHER GLIMPSE OF LIFE AT KA Just in case you missed Reporting Scotland or you don't have a TV, here are some snapshots of life at the great Citadel of Learning. |
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ANNUAL PRIZEGIVING Kilmarnock Academy's Annual Prizegiving ceremony will take place on Monday 15th June. As always, there will be a range of quality musical items and speeches in addition to the presentation of prizes. In case you're wondering how it all works, our academic awards are not based on the old-fashioned system of aggregating raw scores from all subjects and ranking the pupils with the highest average scores. Instead, each department nominates a set number of 'top pupils' and those pupils with the most nominations get certificates of distinction. To find out who will be receiving prizes click here. |
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GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS A group of S3 Business Managers - John Routh, Holly Jarvie, Michael Glover, Leigh McMaster - visited the Mitchell Library in Glasgow for an exciting day of trading on a computer-simulated stock exchange. The group competed against another 24 schools to see who could make the most money. Groups were given a set amount of money to buy stocks and shares, with the ultimate aim of their money growing, in order to make a profit. Sounds simple - but the pupils found it an exciting and stressful day when share and stock prices rose and fell constantly. Pupils had a great day and learnt a great deal about the stock exchange. Report by L MacInnes |
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REMINDERS..... Summer Activities (Mr Ramsay) |
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THANKING LOCAL BUSINESSES Stephen McIlwraith and Gregor Keachie, both 4B, accompanied by Mrs Hamilton, attended an event in the Park Hotel on Tuesday 2nd June. The purpose of this event was for schools to thank local businesses for any help given during the session. Pupils in KA have had the benefit of many business people this year - in the work experience programme and mock interviews mainly. We are always grateful to local companies, local authority personnel, not to mention the Ayrshire Chamber for help...(click to read on) Report by L Hamilton |
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SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE - ROADSHOW 2009 The Scottish Youth Theatre is planning a range of events and activities over the coming months. If you are interested in finding out how to develop your interest in drama and theatre then click here to find out what is on offer. |
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MOST POPULAR BOOKS In a recent survey of books borrowed from the Library Resource Centre, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer came out on top. Here is the list of most popular books: 1. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer 2. Run Zan Run by Catherine MacPhail 3. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer 4. It's OK, Im wearing really big knickers by Louise Rennison 5. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne 6. Roxy's Baby by Catherine MacPhail 7. The Beast Within by Catherine MacPhail 8. Cirque du Freak by Darran Shan 9= Clone Wars Adventures (Graphic Novel) 9= Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer 9= Simpsons Comics Extravaganza 9= The Escape by Robert Muchamore 9= Your Most Wanted Cheats by Cath Birch Information supplied by Stephen King, School Librarian. |
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AND THERE'S MORE..... |
| READ ALL ABOUT IT ! In case you didn't make it to the newsagents' this morning, you can catch up on all the news and headlines here on KA Web. Click the picture on the left to access everything from the Daily Record to the Guardian. If you have time, you should also check out the MAGAZINE RACK (right) where you will be sure to find something to appeal to - or develop - your interests. |
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Former Pupils  Worldwide
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GET IN TOUCH WITH K.A. We have already heard from Billy Lennon (Derby), Daryn Bolland (Canada), Linda Sewell (Kentucky, USA), Jamie Ross (Weston, Florida, USA), David McGaw (Hamilton), Kara Lou Ross (Kilmarnock), Julie Clemmy (Kilmarnock), Winifred Holland (Ontario), Heather Farrell Andolsen (New Jersey), Laura Hastings (Cape Cod), Russell Dowson (Boston), Alison Macmillan (London), Janet Smith (Auckland), Gordon Mutch (Ontario), Ed Wilson (Arkansas), Lesley Anne Campbell (Glasgow), Iain Brown (Kilmarnock), Jane Henstock (Johannesburg), Angela Brown (New York), Elaine McCulloch (Chicago), Roy McClymont (Atlanta), Craig Hanlon (Paris),Kirsteen Wright (Tokyo), Clifford McMillan (Korea), Elinor Kerr (Kilmarnock) and Scott Bell (Norway). |
K.A. WORLDWIDE Is anybody out there? |
K.A. Promoting Reading and Access to Knowledge |
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| K.A. Web - Credits The creation and maintenance of this site has taken place (and continues to do so) outwith school time during evenings and weekends. It consumes serious amounts of time for which the creators receive no payment whatsoever. Neil Dickson and Neil Mcilvanney are both full-time English teachers with full timetables. Eric Gordon works full-time in I.T. for South Ayrshire Council. Alistair and Stuart Livingston The idea to upgrade our school website came originally from Alistair Livingston, (a former KA Maths teacher and member of our school board) and his son Stuart.
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The Pupils of K.A. Enthusiastic contributions to many areas of the site - especially reviews of Books, Films Games and CDs. Keep those contributions coming. Former Pupils of K.A. Contributions from across the world to Former Pupils' Notice Board, K.A. Worldwide, Feedback & Requests. Your contributions are gratefully received - keep sending them in! Neil McIlvanney Creating and uploading all (700+) pages; site layout; all ideas for site content; all photos (except Art); researching links; updating content; developing additional features and content to be uploaded soon; design, layout and uploading of subject content pages (an additional 200+ pages coming soon). |
Eric Gordon Site menu system; many, many hours of invaluable technical support and advice; making up initial country pages for K.A. Worldwide. Dr Neil Dickson Content in History , Famous Former Pupils, Former Rectors. Individual Subject Departments Subject Content; Art Dept. - Art & Fashion photographs. Carole Ford Content for What's on This Month, the Weekly Bulletin and the Term Newsletters; arranging 5 days for Neil McIlvanney to work on the School Handbook Section; sanctioning finance for the creation of the site menu system. Hugh & William McIlvanney For giving permission to include their work on our school website. |
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