ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter
Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher Grassyards Rd Kilmarnock KA3 7SL
ISSUE 4.2 SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2013 FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES
01563 526144 www.saintjosephsacademy.co.uk Twitter: @StJoAcad
SENIOR AWARDS CEREMONY 2013
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM SENIOR AWARDS 2013 CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN S4 - S6 This year’s Senior Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday, September 12th and was a great success. Our guest speaker, Scottish composer and local boy, James MacMillan, reflected on the power of music to move, educate and transform, before presenting over 90 awards to pupils. These ranged from certificates for academic achievement to the new Pride of St. Josephʼs Awards, now in their second year. After the awards ceremony we all enjoyed a great spread of cakes and drinks laid on by the Home Economics department and served by pupils. The ceremony was greatly enhanced by reflections on our school values provided by senior pupils and by a range of excellent musical performances. A full list of award
winners is appended to this newsletter. The ceremony was arranged and managed by a team of staff led and co-ordinated by Acting DHT, Mrs. Shearer. Ocean Youth Trust Sailing Trip This year’s sailing trip was very successful, writes Mrs. Duncan who led the trip. What an amazing experience and opportunity it was for all involved. On the first day we started off at Greenock and all pitched in to get the boat ready to sail to Holy Loch where we moored for the night. On day two we split into teams and started doing “watches” with one team on deck and the other below. We all decided that we would sail to Brodick but then our plans changed and we ended up dropping anchor at Lamlash where S2 pupil Morven Campbell was nicknamed “the steering goddess” by the crew. We spent a fun night getting to know the crew better and bonding over some silly games. Then the real fun started – anchor watch. We were
paired up and took turns doing 2 hour watches through the night to make sure the boat and everyone in it was safe. We were all definitely tired the next day. Tarbert was the next destination and we had another great day of sailing to get there. Day 4 was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. First we all got the chance to go ashore and have a lovely hot shower which was brilliant. Unfortunately this was also the day the sea was really choppy and most people ended up feeling really sick, but we got through it and had an amazing last night on the boat. We had a party and we made fancy outfits for the occasion then afterwards we went night sailing which was an unforgettable experience and definitely one of the highlights of the trip. We got back to Greenock at about 2am and went straight to bed. The last morning was a mixture of emotions but it was clear that everyone had a fantastic time and was sad to be going home. Can’t wait for next year. Full picture story next week.