Winter KAM

Winter Newsletter

Perfect Pantomime

Written by Edie Wight

Rapunzel proved to be a showcase of the musical, dramatic and artistic talent of the pupils and staff at Kirkcudbright Academy. With an all-star cast, this heartfelt and hilarious rendition of the classic tale begins with Rapunzel (Lorne Johnston) held captive by Gothel (Hope Rowley/ Ruby Graham) and rescued by Rudi O’Malley (Ben Durham) and the Dames (Solli Stephenson and Fergus McClure). This epic quest contained royalty (Willow McCarlieDavis and Nathanael Wellby), a ship load of pirates (our fabulous chorus), an always prepared scout (Ben Hodson), a feisty weasel (Iona White), singalongs a plenty and a bucket load of laughter.

Accompanied by the brilliant band, the shows musical numbers were unforgettable. In fact, I doubt the audience will ever be able to hear “Man, I feel like a Woman!” again, without remembering the routine of the dames and their fabulous friends.

A massive well done to everyone involved in contributing to the success of Rapunzel, and thank you to all the staff involved in presenting and supporting the panto.

Winter Newsletter

Christmas Fayre KAM

Written by Faye Atkinson

Kirkcudbright Academy are excited to announce that we were able to hold yet another Christmas Fayre after 3 years! Despite the length of time that had passed, the Christmas Fayre on the 9th of December proved to be a huge success.

The Fayre was alight with festivity with the help of students and teachers performing classic Christmas songs on stage. The Cochran Hall was brimming with stalls where the local community could buy delicious baked goods or have a successful Christmas shop, and Café Academy also made a return; with our S6’s selling tea, coffee, scones, cakes, and soup for everyone to enjoy whilst absorbing the joyful atmosphere.

The money gathered was put towards CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young): a local charity that

provides support to families when a sudden cardiac death has occurred, conducts vital research, and funds screenings to identify young people at risk of a cardiac condition.

This hopefully marks the return of the yearly Christmas Fayres we enjoyed pre-COVID.

WW1 Battlefields Trip to Belgium and France

Written by Ben Durham

On the first of November, thirty-five of us excited students set off from the school in the early hours of the morning, bound for Ypres, Belgium.

Our first day was spent visiting historical sites around Ypres such as battle sites, trenches and war cemeteries, we were told stories

about the likes of John Skinner [Leader of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers] and double Victoria cross winner Noel Chavasse. Some of us laid Poppy Crosses down on behalf of the school at the soldier’s headstones to show respect for their efforts in the war. As the day progressed, we arrived at the second largest Common Wealth War cemetery on the western front known as Lijssenthoek Military War Cemetery, there lies 10,783 men that gave up their life in the battle of Ypres Salient. The cemetery is also home to Nellie Spindler, a female nurse who was killed in the war, her heroic efforts during her time served made her a Victoria cross winner

Over the next few days, we crossed the border to France to visit the Somme, we visited some key sites where important battles were won by the Canadian Army and where land was claimed after 100 days by

the Scottish Battalion. Several family visits were made where students commemorated their family members that fell in the Great War, they laid a poppy flower alongside a personal message, our wonderful tour guides, Mark and Lesley would read out a short message about their family member and their role in the war before the tributes were made. An emotional day was ended by 3 songs that were written about the horrors and tragic loss of the First World War and a sombre bus made its way back to Belgium.

This poignant trip was concluded as we attended the last post service at the Menin Gate where three of our students laid a wreath on behalf of the school and country whilst Kacee Knox played the Flower Of The Forest alongside the buglers in a service which was attended by over 1,000 people. A trip which will live long in our memory.

Winter Newsletter

F1 in Schools

D uring the past year a number Academy students have been engaged in the Internationally run F1 in Schools project. Looking to build on the link between the school and motor sport, as Kirkcudbright Academy is thought to be the only school in the world to have had 2 students going on to win races driving in Formula 1, David Coulthard and Innes Ireland.

F1 in Schools is the only truly global educational programme that raises awareness of STEM and Formula 1 among students and school children in every region, in every country, on every continent. The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.

Students at the Academy entered 6 Teams, of between 3 and 6 members, into a school based competition that required them to Market, Design and Construct a

model F1 Car which was then raced along a 25m track. The top 2 Entry Level Teams and 2 Development Teams then progressed to the Regional (Scottish) Finals, which were broadcast live in October this year.

Each Team had to develop a marketing strategy which required them to seek sponsorship for the running of the Team, design the race car using industrial standard CAD software, analyse the aerodynamics using both virtual and real time wind tunnels and manufacture the car using both 3D printing techniques and CNC Router, the cars were finally raced against each other, propelled by compressed air down the straight race track.

Following the live races for the Regional Finals, 2 of our teams received awards in specific

categories, Galloway Engines were awarded the prize for Research and Development and Stewartry Racers were awarded the ‘Best Engineered Car’ for their category. The Academy and students would like to thank all those involved in providing support, through sponsorship and financial donations: Digital Extra and Solway Community Partnership who provided the funding for the equipment required to run the competition.

David Coulthard, Kirkcudbright Rotary, Paul Tebay, Selkirk Arms Hotel, William Paul Motor Engineering, W.C. in Field, MW Engineering & Manufacturing, Gallovidia Books, Pleat, Amalgam Collection, Station House Cookery School, Lipton-Chaney Architects for their sponsorship of individual Teams.

London Trip

During November fifty six second and third year pupils travelled to London for four days of sightseeing and adventures. On their first night they went to see Buckingham Palace and saw King Charles arriving with an entourage, they then walked to Trafalgar Square and finished with a trip to Covent Garden and a dinner at Bella Italia.

What followed was a full on day heading out to the London Eye, jumping on a river cruise of the Thames then in the afternoon braving the London dungeons, an immersive experience which aims to tell famous London tales through live performance and rides. They watched Mamma Mia in the west ends Novello Theatre which was a

highlight for many as by the end they were all singing and dancing, their teachers also commended the excellent behaviour that the pupils demonstrated throughout the performance saying they were very proud to be with them.

They also had the opportunity to get a tour of the Tower of London then go and see a matinee show

but their final visit was to the Science Museum where pupils got to explore different exhibits. Following two years off due to covid and restrictions, it was brilliant to be able to reinstate this trip, the staff who accompanied them said that all families should be very proud of their young people and that they had been a real pleasure to be away with.

Winter Newsletter

Christmas Dance

The Juniors and Seniors enjoyed their annual Christmas Dances at the Cochran Hall on the 21st and 22nd of December, with a live band pupils danced ceilidhs in their winter themed outfits for the first-time post covid. The S6 dance committee came together acting as DJs for the disco and transforming the Hall into a winter wonderland for the exciting night. Even some teachers joined in with their fantastic dance moves!v

Remembrance

Written by Henderson King

On November the 11th, at the 11th hour, World War 1 ended. At that time we now pay respect with a minutes silence for the many who fell in battle so that we may live our lives freely. The S6 team ran an assembly, led by our head boy and

MVP Training

Written by Anna Miller

On Monday the 19th of December, sixth years at Kirkcudbright Academy took part in an MVP (Mentors for Violence Prevention) training program. This program helped develop a deeper understanding of gender-based violence, gender stereotypes, types of abuse, and how to be an ‘active bystander’ – someone who acts rather than ignores when witnessing abuse or violence.

James Wolffe

At the beginning of November honorary Kirkcudbright Academy alumni former Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC gave a presentation to Modern studies students. He served as Lord Advocate from 2016 to 2021 and was the SNP Government’s most senior legal adviser. James shared his experience working in the Criminal Justice System and explained how he achieved a successful career in the legal profession. He attended Kirkcudbright Academy from 1973 to 1979 and went on to study Law

at the University of Edinburgh and Oxford. Later, the Advanced Higher students took the opportunity of having James in person to ask him questions pertinent to their dissertation topics. The pupils found him helpful and thoroughly enjoyed having their conversations. They found he was more than willing to share his many years of experience and expertise in Scottish and UK legal matters.

girl, Ben Durham and Niamh Kenny. They told their experiences of what it was like going to Belgium looking at the battlefields, and how it put into perspective the immense loss of life and bravery of those soldiers. We had Henderson King and Lewis Valentine reading the poems ‘The General’ and ‘Flanders Field’ then an excerpt of ‘For the Fallen’ read by Edie Wight. Followed by Prefects laying wreaths and the one minutes silence. ‘Lest we forget’

The MVP training sessions were intended to prepare the mentors to hold their own small teaching sessions with S2’s during the UNCRC Rights Day on the coming Thursday. The sessions were a big success as they not only helped strengthen relationships with the junior students, but informed them on important issues to hopefully mould them into respectful and confident individuals who are not afraid to speak up when they witness violent behaviour. Having S6’s deliver the classes was a refreshing change to having a teacher do so, as due to the smaller difference in age, they could relate to the students on a closer level and act as a role model within the school that the younger students could go to if needed.

Sports Events

Written by Henderson King

During this school term pupils have performed well in the sports teams, with the Senior football team drawing Moffat 3-3 and beating Langholm 6-3.

The basketball teams went on to beat Castle Douglas with the Senior team putting on a thrilling match winning 33-15.