AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

Ardrossan Academy Achieves

2017-2018

The young people and staff of Ardrossan Academy achieve in a variety of different areas and

contexts including learning, sports, creative arts, volunteering, charities, service and personal

achievements.

We are very proud of the achievements of our pupils and staff both in school and in their wider

lives. As 2018 is the Year of Young People we are especially delighted to showcase some of the

outstanding achievements and successes of our young people.

Our school motto is Ad Astra – To the Stars. Ardrossan Academy strives to ensure that our

pupils are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential and reach their goals during their

time with us.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in SPORT…….

Aria Pascual attended the Wishaw Grand Prix and won Gold (Kumite: Female 16/17yrs) and Silver (Kata: Seniors)

Inter House cross country winners were Cameron Leibenguth and Emma Donnachy.

Aria Pascual was selected for the Scottish National Team competing in the WKF European Champs in Sochi, Russia in Feb 2018.

The school achieved the Silver School of Sport Award in September 2017.

Louise Falconer won both the short and free program at the Aberdeen Figure Skating Open in October.

Kiera McLean is ranked 1st in the UK and South Africa for World Lyrical Dance Federation.

Ben Rodgers was selected for the Ayrshire School U-15s Football Squad in October.

Louise Falconer competed in the British Ice Skating Championships in Nov 2017.

Mackenzie Smith was runner up in the North Ayrshire Table Tennis in Nov 2017.

Aiden Wilson is selected for the Scottish Ice Hockey Team.

Ben Rodgers represented Ayrshire Schools U-15 football team in the final of the Scottish Schools Select U-15s Shield against Glasgow.

Fletch Woodcock achieved his Bronze Training Medal for passing the 100 hours mark in School of Basketball.

Ellie Davidson came 3rd in the under 16 Scottish Athletics competition, 60m hurdles and achieved a personal best of 9.56 seconds.

Holly McNamara represented Scotland in the British Senior Schools table tennis championships in June 2018 held in Worcester.

Ellie Davidson and her team won 1st place at the Indoor Relay Championships in the 4 by 200m.

Holly McNamara was selected to represent Scotland in the British School Championships in June.

S1-S3 Basketball School of Sport teams won gold and silver in the NA Active Schools two day basketball tournaments in March.

Eilidh Murray competed at Crufts in Flyball & Agility competitions, representing the Scottish Junior Dog Club. She achieved a 2nd place with the SJDC Bravehearts team & her team SJDC Saltire took 1st place in the YKC team agility section.

Eilidh Murray was selected for the Young Kennel Club GB team 2018 (Dog Agility), and will compete at the European Open Championships in July as part of Team GB.

Aria Pascual won Silver in Female kata 16/17 years & Bronze in Female Senior Kata at the Scottish International Open Championships.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in SPORT…….

Aria Pascual won Bronze in the Senior Kata Female Wishaw Grand Prix Championships in May

Ben Rodgers represented the Boys and Girls Clubs of Scotland International Football U-15s against Wales at Port Talbot in May 2018.

Ellie Davidson who came 1st in the Scottish U15 75m hurdles and 2nd in the high jump (with an incredible 1.64m jump) in May.

Kyle Bruce was selected to represent Scotland in the European Karate Championships held in Serbia in May.

Chloe Lamberton came second in the Gymnastics International Cup in May.

Aria Pascual won Bronze in the British Karate Championships in May.

22 of our athletes competed in the North Ayrshire Athletics Championships in May.

North Ayrshire Athletics Final winners were: Ellie Davidson (1st High Jump &

Hurdles); Megan Pettigrew (2nd 800m); Jodie Ratcliffe (1st 200m); Emma Donachy

(1st 1500m); Sarah Cannan (2nd 200m); Christina McGillion (2nd Shot Putt);

Jonathon Spring (2nd 300m); Cameron Leibenguth (2nd 1500m).

Ellie Davidson, Megan Pettigrew, Jodie Ratcliff & Emma Donachy won the S3 girls

relay at the North Ayrshire Schools Athletics Championships.

Megan Pettigrew won the female U-18 Kaim Hill race in May.

Alexander Orderley competed in the male U-18 Kaim Hill race in May.

Our Gymnastics team performed at the national Gymfest festival in June.

Abbie Scott exhibited her sheep at ScotSheep in May and competed with her sheep

at the Scottish Royal Highland Show in June.

In June at the SKGB Scottish Kata Championships, Aria Pascual retained her title of

being the Scottish shotokan champion Female 16/17 years & also won silver in

Scottish All Styles Kata Championships.

Davee Sang, Owen Phillips, Lewis Dunbar and Robyn Mould graduated from the

North Ayrshire Sports Ambassadors programme in June 2018.

McKenzie Melrose is a committed golfer whose handicap is in single figures.

Rachel Blake is a committed golfer whose handicap is in single figures.

Erin Gallacher competed in a swimming gala held at Vikingar in June and won two

bronze medals in breaststroke and front crawl.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in SPORT…….

School of Sport – Basketball

Fletch Woodcock and T. Jay McGeough were selected for the "All-Star Team" at

the Ayrshire Schools S1 Boys Tournament.

Adam Newlands and Spencer Dent were both both called up to their club Ayrshire

Tornadoes to play on the U16M squad.

Adam Newlands was selected as his local team's Most Improved Player.

Michaela McNeil saw a very successful season for her club Ayr Storm. After a

successful season her team qualified for the Playoffs.

Matthew Brown's U14B team, Ayr Storm, qualified for the National Challenge.

Michaela McNeil was selected for the Ayr Storm Trooper Trophy.

Michaela McNeil was called up to the U18W squad for Ayr Storm and secured the

U18W SLBA Cup Trophy.

Ben Wigton along with Lewis Dunbar and Harry MacDonald competed in the Scottish

Basketball Championships League.

Davee Sang captained her U18W team to lifting the U18W SLBA Cup Trophy.

Davee Sang received the SLBA Cup Trophy Final Most Valuable Player Trophy.

Davee Sang was selected as her club's U18W Most Valuable Player.

S1 Boys Team went undefeated at the National School of Sport Festival.

The Senior Boys Team finished runner up in the Ayrshire Schools League.

The Senior Boys Team finished runner up in the Ayrshire Schools Cup.

The Lewis Dunbar led the Ayrshire Schools League in scoring.

School of Sport – Rugby

The U14s rugby team reached the Ayrshire T4 Schools Conference Final in February 2018.

Ben Rodgers was selected to attend Glasgow U16 Trials in May 2018.

Aeden Finnigan won U13 Player of the Year at Ardrossan Rugby Club in June 2018.

Devon Davidson won U13 Most Improved player of the Year at Ardrossan Rugby Club in June 2018.

Andrew Buchanan won U14 Players Player of the Year at Ardrossan Rugby Club in June 2018.

Ben Rodgers won U15 Player of the Year at Ardrossan Rugby Club in June 2018.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in Music and Creative Arts….

Rachel Lawson and Anna Reid were successful candidates in the role of Music Ambassador and have led activities within the department and presented concerts throughout the session.

Anna Reid accepted into the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Academy to study Traditional Music

Rachel Lawson is attending the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Musical Theatre summer

school in July where they put on a show in 1 week.

Christina McGillion was 1st in duets, 2nd in solo competition and first in quartet at the

Ayrshire Music Festival and went on to perform at the North Ayrshire Celebrating Success

evening.

Maisie McCormack achieved Grade 1 for Drum Kit and guitar and grade 3 for piano in the Trinity and Yamaha Music examinations.

Mackenzie Smith with his pipe band, Troon Blackrock, achieved 3rd place at Girvan and Ardrossan Highland Games. He also had the opportunity to perform onstage with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers in their show at Ayr Town Hall! His sister, Lucie Smith also performed at this event on side drum and is a prominent member of Blackrock Pipe Band.

Mackenzie represents Ardrossan Academy regularly, performing at various events in the community and competed in the North Ayrshire Young Traditional Musician of the Year final.

Amy Palmer has passed her Grade 1 Piano exam with distinction and attends Centrestage on a weekly basis, most recently performing in 13 The Musical in April.

Kyle Bruce achieved his Grade 2 ABRSM piano in November and is about to sit his Grade 3 exam in June.

Erin Fitzpatrick achieved her Grade 3 ABRSM Piano this session.

Matthew McGowan won our very first young junior musician of the year competition

Anna Reid won our first ever young Traditional musician of the year competition and went on to win the North Ayrshire Young Traditional Singer of the Year competition

Rachel Lawson won our Young Singer of the Year competition and competed in the North Ayrshire final. She also had success at the Ayrshire Music Festival being placed 3rd in the Songs from Shows category.

Linzi Smith won our Young Musician of the Year competition and also competed in the North Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year final.

Kelci Lee Scott performed with her Dance Mafia crew, the "Maniacs" at the Liverpool Echo Arena in February as part of the "That's Showbiz" dance competition finals.

Kendal McNee, Marcus Lundie, Megan Henderson, Courtney Kirk and Mrs Pettigrew all took part in the Capall Dorcha’s A Night of Broadway community auditions and performances at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in Music and Creative Arts….

Rachel Lawson and Marcus Lundie both attend Centrestage in Kilmarnock on a weekly basis and performed in their showcase in March, Rachel also performed in The Beautiful Game in October.

Blythe Angus represented Ardrossan Academy in the North Ayrshire School’s Junior Band who went on to achieve a Gold award In Manchester at the National Concert Band Finals in April.

Denisa Levai is a member of the North Ayrshire Intermediate Concert Band who competed in various competitions and performed in numerous concerts throughout the session.

Linzi Smith and Anna Reid are prominent members of the North Ayrshire Senior String Orchestra, they performed at various events throughout the session, performing alongside Nicola Benedetti at the North Ayrshire Music Service Christmas Concert.

Our senior choir sang Christmas carols at the annual Christmas Fayre and also visited Castleview Daycare Centre and Asda in Ardrossan to entertain our local community.

Senior pupils took part in an Ardrossan Academy concert at the Music Café in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in December

Our senior choir and soloists Linzi Smith and Courtney Kirk performed at the annual community Christmas service in the E.U. Congregational Church in December

Our annual Christmas concert was a resounding success featuring our choirs, groups, bands, drama groups, dance group and soloists.

A number of our musicians, including Cameron Hardie, Nicole Frew and our very own Miss Mitchell performed Scottish Music at our annual Burns Supper.

Twenty of our BGE musicians visited the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to attend a Celtic Connections concert featuring Blazzin’ Fiddles and the RCS Juniors, where Anna Reid performed a solo.

Michaela McNeil, Eilidh Murray and Kathryn Nutt all performed solos at the YPI final in February

Ellie Williams, Michaela McNeil and Maisie McCormack all performed solo pieces at the Junior Prizegiving event held in June

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in leadership & personal achievement….

Mrs Gilmour (Chemistry) and Mr Kerr (History) were both nominated in June 2018 for the North Ayrshire Achieves Customer Excellence category and will be considered for the final shortlist.

Our librarian Mrs Vaughan was nominated in June for the North Ayrshire Achieves Learning Champion category and will be considered for the final shortlist. Mrs McNicol attended the GTCS National Probationer event in Edinburgh in June and was announced as North Ayrshire’s Flexible Route Newly Qualified Teacher of the Year. Robert Frew, Sean Clement, Gary Anderson, Donald Bell, Jamie Thomson, Ross McVey Greg Kean, Crawford Kenefick & Conor Montgomerie took on the challenge of coaching, leading and refereeing the Soccer Aid inter house football tournament in June. 20 S2 pupils took part in Peer Support Training with NHS Fresh Air-shire. Through this training they developed skills to educate peers about the consequences of smoking. Jodi Dallas was selected to be a North Ayrshire 2018 Year of the Young Person ambassador. Olivia Starr, Sophie Reid, Michaela McNeill and Ramune Bauzys were the winning team in the YPI final, securing £3000 for SAMH. Lewis Wilson, Ryan Slaven, Caitlin Agnew, Sophie Reid, Rosie Holt, Jenna Peckett, Abbiegayle Boyle, Rachel Davidson, Rebecca Chivers and Nadia McLaren participated in the NAC Cabinet Live Event in June. Lewis Austin won the Alex Pettigrew Award at the North Ayrshire Duke of Edinburgh Awards in March 2018. A total of 44 pupils have undertaken their D of E Bronze Award this session. A total of 32 pupils have undertaken their D of E Silver Award this session. We hope to have 12 pupils beginning the prestigious D of E Gold Award in 2018-19. Our Duke of Edinburgh participants have collectively achieved 1350 hours of community based volunteering this session. Our Duke of Edinburgh instructors Mr Allison, Mr Bennett, Miss Angus, Mr McMenemie and Mrs Pettigrew have completed over 160 hours of leadership training in outdoor navigation and first aid this session. Ellie Davidson won 3rd place at the Sir Tom Hunter Challenge final in June securing £2000 for the school. She represented the Mecp2Dup fundraising group who have raised over £1000 for this charity by organising a fundraising event in May. Miss Jeffers recently took part in the "Walk for Autism" with her niece and nephew and raised £300 for Scottish Autism. In Jan-March 2018 Maths class 3.1 completed a project with Ashleigh Construction at the Montgomerie Street development. The project involved the class designing site plans for the section of the development currently being constructed. The winning group was Kelly O'Donnell, Erin Townsley, Eilidh Murray, Matthew Brown, Callum Bowie and Cara Dunwoodie. Courtney Kirk was selected to go through to the finals of Miss United Kingdom which will take place in Blackpool in October.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in charitable causes….. Our classroom coin jars collection raised £133.49 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Twiddle muffs from the staff knitting club & giant wooden flowers from pupils in

woodwork class were donated to Caledonia Care Home Saltcoats in May.

Our staff knitting club made and donated baby blankets to Barnardos.

A total 846 food items, 100 Selection Boxes, 32 Easter Eggs and 20 Christmas gifts have

been donated to North Ayrshire Foodbank this session by staff and pupils.

In October a group of S4 pupils raised £171 for MacMillan Cancer Research by organising a coffee morning and bake sale.

In March staff and pupils collected 132 items and 32 Easter Eggs for the North Ayrshire Foodbank. £250 raised at the Xmas Fayre in November was donated to North Ayrshire Foodbank. The school donated £450 to Pegasus Club following their work with us during YPI. The school donated £450 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital following their work with us during YPI. The school donated £450 to Mecp2DupUK following their work with us during YPI. The school donated £450 to Sportsability following their work with us during YPI. Our World Cup Lucky Dip and staff coffee morning in June raised £129.95 for the Faith and Hope school in Rwanda. Miss Irvine is visiting the school in July to volunteer as a teacher. Staff and pupils raised £403 for UNICEF during the Soccer Aid day in June. The rainbow bake sale raised £150 for LGBT+ Youth Scotland. Staff raised £100 for North Ayrshire Women’s Aid by holding a World Cup sweepstake in June. £710.90 was raised for Ayrshire Hospice following a non-uniform day and coffee morning. £137.16 was raised for Mary’s Meals following a coffee morning and Easter Egg lucky dip in March. £282.51 was raised for Save The Children via the Christmas Jumper day and Christmas Lucky Dip for staff.

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill

The year in pictures.....

AMBITION is the path to success. PERSISTENCE is the vehicle you arrive in.

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” – Napoleon Hill