South Ayrshire Council News

A group of enterprising Belmont Academy pupils have reached the Scottish finals of the Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme awards.

Pupils in South Ayrshire schools have been 'pedaling' their creative skills over the last few weeks after they were asked to design a poster to promote the 47th David Bell Memorial Cycle Race.

Lorraine Stobie, Headteacher at Southcraig School in Ayr has beaten off stiff competition from across Scotland to be selected as a finalist at the Scottish Education Awards 2012.

Swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, tennis, archery, football, golf and so much more.. and, no, it's not the Olympics!

More than 150 local people turned out in force to take part in the Active Schools Sport Relief Mile, organised by South Ayrshire Council.

Three South Ayrshire secondary school pupils were recently selected to take part in filming and recording the business of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) which met at Prestwick Academy in March.

A model of Stumpy Tower, made by primary four pupils at Girvan primary school, has won a competition organised by South Ayrshire Council to promote Earth Hour 2012.

An improving school working to further enhance pupils' educational experience' is South Ayrshire Council's response to the Ayr Academy inspection report.

The South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership is again hosting a hard-hitting campaign of presentations aimed at over 2000 S5 and S6 pupils in Ayrshire schools.

Nearly 400 young people from across South Ayrshire, who have achieved one of The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards in the last year, were recognised at a special ceremony.

South Ayrshire S3 students, Abbie MacNee, Jennifer Veitch and Jamie Miller made good use of their culinary skills when they took part in an all Ayrshire cooking competition.

South Ayrshire Council's flagship outdoor education centre, The Dolphin House, works with the John Muir Trust to help South Ayrshire's young people enjoy and care for wild places.

Around 250 people packed into Girvan community centre over the weekend to help shape an exciting new vision for the South Carrick area at the Girvan charrette.

People in South Ayrshire are being urged to enter their local schools, nurseries or individuals into the Scottish Education Awards 2012 so that their exceptional achievements can be recognised.

Provost Winifred Sloan has opened an art exhibition celebrating the iconic pink buildings on New Bridge Street in Ayr.

Southcraig Campus, which provides specialist support for pupils with additional support needs in Ayr from 3 to 18, has received a glowing report from school inspectors.

Pupils, staff, parents and the local community came together at Heathfield Primary in Ayr for an evening of song, music and dance in honour of the official opening of the school's new extension.

Young South Ayrshire cooks from Belmont, Carrick and Kyle Academies, who are all home economics or hospitality students, cooked up a storm at the Cook School in Kilmarnock.

Junior Road Safety Officers across South Ayrshire are celebrating Road Safety Scotland being awarded a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award

Colmonell Primary School has won another prestigious award, the Glasgow Institute of Architecture Gold Award, which acknowledges the innovative and unique design of the school.

Talented young artist Jack McWhirter a P5 from Straiton Primary School won the Owen Kerr Signs Christmas banner competition with an outstanding design.

Belmont Academy pupils will represent South Ayrshire in the Scottish Finals of the UK Young Consumer of the Year competition.

Closer links are being established with Ghana and South Ayrshire thanks to funding from the British Council which will enable exchange visits for education between the two countries.

South Ayrshire's first ever 'schools of rugby' have signed up to Scottish Rugby and the Scottish Government's ambitious initiative to put rugby at the centre of the sports curriculum.

Pupils from South Ayrshire schools Queen Margaret Academy and Marr College have successfully completed a pilot horse riding expedition for their Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award.

Colmonell Primary School has scooped two prestigious silver awards in the annual Roses Design Awards for its iconic and outstanding design.

Symington Primary has become the first school in South Ayrshire to gain a 'Go Active' Award in recognition of its work to increase the number of pupils and staff who walk or cycle to school regularly.

Nearly 450 P7 pupils from South Ayrshire Council schools gathered at the Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr to take part in a sporting extravaganza.

Sixteen teachers from South Ayrshire Council schools have successfully completed a Leadership Development Programme for aspiring Head teachers and Depute teachers.

The fourth Curriculum for Excellence Learning Festival has been held at Belmont Academy to celebrate success and best practice in education.

Groups of primary pupils from South Ayrshire Council schools will be gathering at the Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr on Thursday 27 October to take part in a sporting extravaganza.

A stunning new St Ayles skiff, built by community volunteers, ably assisted by school pupils from Marr College as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award, was launched this week at Troon Harbour.

The talents and strengths of pupils in South Ayrshire schools were showcased earlier this week during a visit by Adam Ingram, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.

A hard-hitting publicity campaign will get underway across South Ayrshire next week to remind people that it's everyone's job to help protect children.

Sarah White (16) an S6 student at Prestwick Academy, has secured a place on trip to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Ten students from Belmont Academy in Ayr will gain valuable experience of the world of work when they take part in South Ayrshire Council's Work Out programme.

Hundreds of Ayrshire residents and visitors got a close up look at the London 2012 Olympic Torch today (1 September) when it came to Ayr.

The range of positive partnerships which enhance learners' experiences, the success in raising young people's aspirations and the strong leadership of the head teacher have all been praised by HMIE.

School pupils at Belmont Academy in Ayr have become the first in South Ayrshire to join a fully integrated school and public library service

This summer proved to be an exotic and adventurous one for three groups of pupils from Marr College, Prestwick and Queen Margaret Academies.

South Ayrshire Council is congratulating its pupils today (4 August) as Scottish Qualification Authority exam results show further improvements at Higher and Advanced levels.

School pupils in Maybole and Troon, supported by South Ayrshire Council and local community members, are taking part in an ambitious boat building campaign run by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project.

There's good news for school leavers in South Ayrshire this summer as a survey, compiled by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) reveals an increase in the number of pupils finding jobs and moving on to positive destinations.

Over 700 children across South Ayrshire have shown just what they are made of by picking up a Junior Achievement Award.

Young golfers from Kyle Academy have scored an impressive triple whammy by grabbing the top three places in a recent schools golf competition, supported by Seafield, Belleisle and Tam O'Shanter golf clubs.

Nineteen talented young artists have received awards in this year's Energy Agency Calendar Competition for 2012 during a special event at County Hall, Ayr.

South Ayrshire Council's St Ninian's Primary School and Nursery Class in Prestwick is working towards a brighter future as outlined in a report published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) today (Tuesday).

Pinwherry Primary School had a busy week celebrating the history of the school with an open day and a prize giving ceremony, before the school is officially closed at the end of term and pupils move to Colmonell Primary School.

Youngsters at Braehead Primary school in Ayr are set to safely saddle up for summer, thanks to the arrival of ten new bicycles and twenty helmets, to help them learn road skills and become better cyclists.

Tributes were paid to Audrey Williams, the South Ayrshire Council lollipop lady who died in January while on duty, at a memorial ceremony at Forehill Primary School in Ayr.

A group of 25 S2 pupils from Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr performed to the world today as they took part in the National Theatre of Scotland Five Minute Theatre project.

With the school holidays just looming at the end of the month, many families will already be planning what to do and where to go to over the summer.

Pupils from Damellington Primary School in East Ayrshire and Doonfoot Primary School in South Ayrshire sat 'doon' beside the river for a special celebration tea party today (Monday) to celebrate the saving of the River Doon.

Green fingered youngsters from Annbank primary school have transformed the Toll area of Mossblown into a floral centrepiece, by planting a host of eye catching flowers, plants and variety of shrubs.

'Britain's Got Talent' was the theme for South Ayrshire Council's third Junior Road Safety celebration event held at Ayr Town Hall this week.

St Ann's Primary School in Mossblown will close at the end of the school term next month, subject to confirmation by Scottish Government Ministers.

The future of St Ann's Primary School in Mossblown will be further considered by South Ayrshire Council after the Council's Leadership Panel approved the school's closure.

South Ayrshire Council is looking for feedback from the local community to help shape its vision for the upgrade of the existing Marr College building in Troon.

South Ayrshire Council is making it easier than ever for employees and school children to eat healthily and that's official.

Kyle Academy is pedalling its way to success thanks to its multi faceted approach to cycle promotion amongst students and staff.

A naughty teddy bear wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses is helping educate pupils in South Ayrshire about road safety.

Music, song, drama and dance were the key features at a special event last night (Thursday) as The Marquess of Douro officially opened South Ayrshire Council's new £1.5 million eco-friendly primary school in Colmonell.

The efforts of young people from South Ayrshire who have achieved The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the last year have been recognised at a special ceremony organised by South Ayrshire Council.

Doonfoot Primary School has become the first school in Ayrshire to be awarded a Cycle Friendly School award, in recognition of its efforts to create a cycling culture within the school and encourage its pupils to cycle to school wherever possible.

Work by pupils from 16 primary and secondary schools across South Ayrshire has featured in an art exhibition at Ayr Town Hall to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2011.

Holmston Primary in Ayr has proved it is top of the class when it comes to road safety by winning the inaugural Junior Road Safety Officer Achievement Shield.

A South Ayrshire primary school in the village where Robert Burns was born was top of the list when Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram MSP, was looking to visit a school to celebrate the life of the Bard.

School crossing patroller dies following accident earlier today.

A South Ayrshire Council school crossing patroller is in a critical condition in hospital following an accident while on duty at Hillfoot Road in Ayr today (Thursday 13 January).

Pupils from Newton Primary's Glee Club had an early start to their Christmas celebrations this week.

Arts, culture and creativity in South Ayrshire schools are flourishing, thanks to a new initiative to develop creative learning networks across Scotland, aimed at enhancing the Curriculum for Excellence.

Pupils and staff at Symington Primary School got an early Christmas present this week, when the wraps were taken off the newly refurbished school building.

Adam Ingram MSP, Minister for Children and early years paid a visit to Wallacetoun Nursery School this week, to celebrate St Andrew's Day with youngsters. He was also joined by local councillor Elaine Little.

South Ayrshire Council is asking residents and communities across South Ayrshire to make their views known on how the Council should prioritise its spending next year as part of its Big Budget Challenge.

South Ayrshire Council has today (19 October) held a second hugely successful Curriculum for Excellence Festival at Belmont Academy.

South Ayrshire Council recently held its Open Days for Schools in the Trading Standards Office in River Terrace, in Ayr.

Building on the success of the 2009/10 Active Schools Coach Education Academy South Ayrshire Council has extended the programme to run in 2010/11.

Hundreds of local children have taken part in a brilliant space age summer reading programme, organised by The Reading Agency and run by South Ayrshire Council.

Pupils from four South Ayrshire secondary schools have enjoyed a summer of nautical fun as part of their qualifying experience towards the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The relationships between staff and children, children's enthusiasm for learning and the high levels of attainment at Coylton Primary have all been praised by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in an official report published this week.

A limited edition book, charting the global celebration of Robert Burns' 250th birthday has been presented to four local schools in Maybole by South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan.

The efforts of pupils, staff and parents at primary schools in South Ayrshire have been applauded this week, as South Ayrshire Council learned that performance in key stages of reading, writing and mathematics are some of the best recorded.

A prayer kneeler and chairs to be used by Pope Benedict XVI before he celebrates Mass in Bellahouston Park later this month were presented to the Diocese of Galloway by South Ayrshire school pupils today (Wednesday 1 September).

School pupils across South Ayrshire are celebrating after achieving record exam results in 2010 - some of the best in recent years.

Eleven pupils from Belmont Academy are one step closer to joining the world of work, thanks to a pilot work experience project run by South Ayrshire Council.

Marr College and Prestwick Academy will open to the public for two days next week as part of the consultation regarding the future of Marr College.

A group of S6 pupils from Marr College and Queen Margaret and Ayr Academies gave up the first week of their school summer holidays to make a DVD highlighting the health and personal safety issues associated with alcohol misuse.

Whatever the weather there is something in South Ayrshire Council's Summer 2010 programme of activities to suit children and young people of all tastes.

The Scottish Education Awards for 2010 have been announced at a star-studded ceremony held at Glasgow's City Hall, with good news for two South Ayrshire schools.

An exciting celebration event marked the success of South Ayrshire council's Junior Road Safety officers- pupils who promote road safety in their schools.

Over 1,000 primary seven pupils across the length and breadth of South Ayrshire have been celebrating gaining a Junior Achievement Award from South Ayrshire Council.

Three pupils from South Ayrshire schools have scooped HMV music voucher prizes after designing posters highlighting the risks of eating too much saturated fat.

Pupils from Belmont Academy in South Ayrshire got the chance to make and star in their very own film production recently.

South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan joined pupils and staff from Southcraig Campus in Ayr at the Dam Park stadium to 'Smile a Mile' and raise funds for their school campus.

Two new chemistry rooms at Queen Margaret Academy in Ayr are giving students the opportunity to bring science to life in state-of-the-art surroundings.

Jamie Reid, a P7 pupil at Gardenrose Primary School in Maybole was the star of a very special assembly to celebrate him winning the RAP Card (Recreational Access Pass) design competition.

South Ayrshire Council has been allocated £424,609 by the Scottish Government for 'Determined to Succeed'.

Many children will soon benefit from changes being made in classes sizes, pre-school provision and free school meals in some South Ayrshire Council's schools.

Young Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants from South Ayrshire took part in a special reception at the Scottish Parliament to mark the successful completion of an excellent project.

South Ayrshire Council is taking an active part in the launch of Food Safety Week on 7th June, by reminding people about the importance of good food storage and handling, particularly during the summer months.

University of the West of Scotland's new £70 million Ayr Campus has entered the final phase of development, with a topping out ceremony taking place at the new campus site on 4 June 2010.

A group of sixty young people from Wallacetoun have recently been learning how to ride and care for a horse, thanks to an initiative, supported by SAC's Community Safety team.

Pupils at two Scottish secondary schools include South Ayrshire Council's Girvan Academy will set off on a six-day trip to Colombia.

Whitletts Primary School has taken a nostalgic look back at 137 years of education with an Open Day celebration attended by past and present pupils, staff and parents.