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MAY 31ST2013

FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

S4 Mountain BikingOn Thursday May 16th 13 pupils, 5 teacher and Chris Bole from local company Sprockets Cycles ventured out for the first time on the school’s new mountain bikes.

The bikes are part of St Joseph’s Academy’s Mountain Bike Project, which aims to promote healthy living by introducing mountain biking into its already diverse and exciting Health and Wellbeing curriculum.

Principal Teacher of Health & Wellbeing Mr John McQuade, was accompanied by teachers Miss McLuckie, Miss Allan, Mr McGarry and Mr Ritson.

Mr McQuade said about the day: “The day was a great success, giving pupils the opportunity to experience a different activity using local amenities. This is something we are incorporating into our curriculum for next year to encourage and develop lifelong learning, whilst actively promoting Health & Wellbeing”. The new S4 pupils started the day with bike maintenance, an obstacle course and some skills building. The

group then left from the school to cycle to Craufurdland Estate a few miles away.

The group enjoyed an afternoon of offroad mountain-biking in the fantastic setting of the estate. They experienced a very testing set of tracks ranging from beginner to advanced levels. There was plenty of mud, mayhem and midges! Images and video footage of the thrills and spills will be uploaded to the school website soon. It is fair to say that everyone was left feeling exhilarated by the events of the day.

Pupil William McDonald said, “Having this type of facility on my doorstep is absolutely amazing. I will use the trails more often in the future and I am keen to help fund and maintain the trails. I was thinking about doing a sponsored cycle to help generate funds and awareness of what is on offer and needed at Craufurdland.” Craufurdland is hosting a number of cycling events and open competitions as part of their race series over the coming weeks. All other dates and details can be found on the estates website: www.craufurdland.co.uk. As part of our highly sucessful Business Advocates programme we intend to

develop our relationship with the estate. The bikes were purchased from local shop Sprockets Cycles, who kindly loaned us shop manager Chris Boles for a few hours to demonstrate to the pupils how to ride the trails with style. Sprockets owner, Craig Paton, and Chris were instrumental in securing St Joseph’s Academy an unbeatable deal. This also allowed locally generated business to stay here in Kilmarnock.

The Interaction Project Next Steps

You may remember that back in February St Joseph’s Academy scooped best Partnership Design in the EAC Interaction Project competition. Following on from this success we brought together a number of influential business people and entrepreneurs, including Craig Stevenson (Braehead foods and Cook School), David Ross (Keppie Design), Ken Whip (Entrepreneurial Spark) and Fiona Nicolson (EAC Town Centre Manager) to discuss the feasibility of progressing with the Interaction Project Design: a mobile food servery and kitchen. The outcome of these discussions was very positive so look out for more information on the Interaction Project.

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM

Ben Davis,Acting Headteacher

Grassyards RdKilmarnockKA3 7SL

01563 526144

www.saintjosephsacademy.co.ukTwitter: @StJoAcad

Some of our Readers’ Cup Team hard at work during the quiz.

Mount Carmel Engineering ProjectDesign and Technology teachers Mr Ward and Mr Docherty are currently working on an exciting project with Mount Carmel Primary School to assist Miss Lynn’s Primary 5 class with an engineering course. The course involves the pupils designing and manufacturing a battery powered car which will then be tested against each others to determine whose car is the most functional in certain aspects of engineering. The pupils are enjoying the experience of the practical activity and producing great models in the process. Over the next few weeks Mr Ward and Mr Docherty will be going to Mount Carmel to complete the project (pictures below).

Below (clockwise from top left): Yipworld artwork from Abby Stewart, Melissa Lawrie, Victoria Atkinson and Emma Coates; thinking hard at the Readers’ Cup; the U-18 boys at Dam Park.

Yipworld Art Project

Over an 8 week period, Jan Laird, Yipworld Youth Work Co-ordinator has been working with nine young pupils, who all share a keen interest in art.

Through delivering workshops based on drawing and painting, these young people were given the opportunity to gain more confidence through developing their creative skills.

They all worked towards a Scottish brief, that enabled them to think about Scottish Culture.

They all produced fantastic final artworks, which will later be displayed in an art exhibition within the Kilmarnock district. The venue for this exhibition is yet to be confirmed.

Each young person has worked very hard towards this project, and should be very proud of their work.

The pupils involved were:Emma Coates, Melissa Lawrie, Victoria Atkinson and Abby Stewart from new S4. Their work is pictured on the preceding page.

Readers’ Cup Quiz

Earlier this week a team of S1 pupils organised by Mr. Cairns attended the annual East Ayrshire Readers’ Cup Quiz. Faced with some very challenging questions the team secured third place. A very respectable result considering that one erudite senior officer of the council admitted that he only got four of the questions right.

The team was made up of Marc Brown, India Anderson, Erin Lannie, Morven Campbell, Amy Brown, Sophie Gallagher, Holly Ferguson. They are pictured on the front cover of the newsletter.

U-18 Girls Football Team

Another Friday evening at Dam Park in Ayr... another final.

The success of our football teams has become something of a regular occurrence and we were delighted that our newest team made it through to the East Ayrshire final. Sadly they were beaten on penalties having drawn at full time 1-1 against Kilmarnock Academy. Great sports to the end their positive and decent approach to the game was praised by their opponents.

Home Room Weekly Reflection: Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world - over 8,800 metres high.  After many unsuccessful attempts to reach the top, it was finally “conquered” on  May  29th, 1953 by Edmund Hillary from New Zealand, and Tenzing Norkay, a local guide from Nepal. They stayed at the summit for only 15 minutes, and there planted the flags of Britain, Nepal, India, and the United Nations.  Each of us has “Mount Everests” in our own lives - various difficulties that need effort and maybe team work to conquer.  We can think, too, that a walk of 20 metres for a person with a physical disability or serious illness may be one of the greatest achievements of that individual’s life. Such a short walk would be taken for granted by most people. What one person may achieve with very little effort may be a great achievement for someone with different abilities.   What really counts is the effort we put into something to make it our own best. My “success” and “achievement” can only be measured against my own potential.  Let us pray: Lord, I ask that you inspire me always to do my best - not comparing myself with others, but only with myself.  Lead me, Lord, to discover and use my own talents to the full.  May I live in such a way that I help others to experience  success.  Inspire me to be generous in praising others for the good use of their abilities - looking not so much at the degree of achievement but at the effort put in. Amen.

PARISH MASS TIMES St. Matthewʼs: 10.00 am, Fr. Chambers ! ! St. Josephʼs: 6.00 pm (vigil), 11.00 am Fr. LathamSt. Michaelʼs: 12.00 noon, Fr. McGhee ! ! Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 9.00 am, Fr. McGheeSt. Paulʼs: 9.30 am, Fr. Lawson ! ! ! Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. McGrattanSt. Sophiaʼs: 11.30 am Fr. Lawson ! ! St. Thomas the Apostle: 9.00 am, Fr. McGrattanOur Lady & St. John: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. Chambers !St. John the Evangelist: 10.45 am, Fr. McGrattan

CalendarJune 2nd Caritas Award CeremonyJune 3rd Parent Council 7 pmJune 6th SQA exams finishJune 6th & 7th S5/6 returnJune 9th Enspire FestivalJune 11th Mass for St. ColumbaJune 19th Sports DayJune 20th P7 Parents’ Evening 7 pmJune 19th - 21st P7 InductionJune 25th S1/2 awards

Fun Run

Wednesday June 26th will see pupils, staff, parents and any other keen participants take to the track for our Fun Run. Entry details and arrangements available from PE.

School Meals Price Rise

Next session the price of a two course school lunch will increase from £1.90 to £1.95. An increase of 2.6%. School meals continue to offer good value, nutritious food and parents and carers are asked to encourage their children to take one.

SQA Exam Timetable

Here is a list of forthcoming exams for S4 - S6. If, during exam leave, you feel that your son or daughter requires special arrangements due to injury or a change in their circumstances, please contact the school immediately. The full timetable can be accessed on the SQA website: www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/ExamTimetable2013.pdf

31.05 Chemistry (Intermediate and Higher) 06.06 No exams03.06 No exams 07.06 Psychology04.06 Physical Education (Intermediate and Higher)05.06 Spanish & Art and Design S5/6 pupils return to school after study leave on June 6th and 7th for two days of induction.