PUPILS GO TO PARLIAMENT

 

We visited the Scottish Parliament building to report for BBC school news report and also interview Cathy Jamieson MSP, our local MSP. When we went into the parliament our bags were scanned through security. Our teacher went through security and the bleep went so she had to be searched. Then we entered the Public Gallery, where Bryanni a student from Edinburgh University who assists Ms. Jamieson with her work greeted us. She helped us sign in and then took us to the Garden Lobby - a place where the MSP’s hang out, do their work while having lunch and also get interviewed by the Press. Bryanni told us the parliament building consists of lots of buildings linked together with passageways.

The next place we went to was the Parliament Debating Chamber. Cathy Jamieson told us a great deal of fascinating information about it. She told us that sometimes all 129 MSPs could be in the Debating Chambers and it can be very crowded. She also told us that there are special seats for members involved in the debate. In addition, there are blocks of seats for every political party in the Scottish Parliament. We noticed that there were lots of cameras and speakers, which are connected to microphones, for use on television. Alex Fergusson is the presiding officer who is “head” of the chambers. It is his decision to allow people talk in a debate. The MSPs press a “talk” button located on their desk and their name shows up on Mr. Fergusson’s desk. The MSPs have a set amount of time to speak, so there are lots of clocks so that they can time themselves. There are assistants to MSPs who write up reports on debates; they sit in what appears to a box sticking out of the wall. Every debate is recorded by video and/or by writing.

One item, which was very interesting, is the Parliament Mace, which has the words “There shall be a Scottish Parliament”, and the needed values of an MSP engraved inside it. It was presented by the queen and is removed from its glass case during debates and put on show, but nobody is allowed to touch it except the presiding officer. The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 and they decided to build the new parliament building, which took about four years to build and cost 414 million pounds.

All MSPs are presented with a special card, which looks like a credit card. They use it to open security doors, like the one leading to the offices. They also use it in debates, by scanning it in a special electronic machine at their desk; this lets the presiding officer know that they are there. On the same machine there are buttons to press whether they are “for” or “against” a debate, and also one to ask if they can speak in the debate. The card can also be used like a lunch card as they can put money on it to pay for lunch.

 

Next Ms. Jamieson gave us a tour of her office, where the public are not usually allowed to go. As the parliament is eco friendly, the offices have recycling bins in them. Cathy’s office has a whiteboard on the wall with some poster of Carrick and Don Valley, her constituency area. She also had a few maps on the wall as well. She has a table and a few chairs, for use in meetings. She has a specially designed desk with her computer on it and a Blackberry phone. She also has a television so that she can watch debates while she works. There are also a lot of cupboards for filing and paperwork.

Cathy has a “Think Pod”, which is basically a comfy window seat. There are shelves at the left hand side that looks like steps going up the wall. There are some bamboo plants on the shelves and ornaments. She thinks there are many advantages to the office in that it is bright; even though it is small it is comfy and tidy. Cathy likes that the parliament is eco friendly, you can watch debates and it is a good environment to work in. Cathy then gave us an interview for the radio. We had a great time visiting the Parliament and Cathy Jamieson was very kind and helpful to us.

To hear the full interview with Cathy Jamieson MSP click here

By Lauren and Robbie

 

 

CATHY CASSIDY - DAYDREAM BELIEVER

 

 

Cathy Cassidy, a teenage fiction book writer visited Doon Academy on Tuesday, March 3rd for a BBC School News Report interview. We found out lots of interesting information about her.

 

 

She had wanted to be an author since she was about seven or eight years old. She started off by writing small stories for her younger brother when he was two, but he normally had them shredded within a week. She started reading a magazine called Jackie when she was about sixteen, and decided to send some of her short stories in. One day the magazine printed her story. She got paid for her stories. Then she started writing longer stories and made them into really small books.

 

 

 In her spare time she sits down and reads books, takes her dogs for a walk, listens to music, goes to her local swimming pool, but her favourite thing is daydreaming.

 

Everywhere she goes she takes some paper or a big notebook so that she can sketch, doodle and take random notes of whatever comes into her mind.

 

 Her favourite character is Mouse from her first book Dizzy; he also appears in Lucky Star.

Over the summer she will be bringing two new books out .One is called Shine On Daisy Star, which is aimed at 7-11 year olds. The other is called Angel Cake. It is for 9-14 year olds. 

By Hayley.

To hear the interview with Cathy Cassidy click here.

 

 

 

 

FROM CHIP SHOP TO CHIP SHOT

 

Pamela Feggans says she delighted to have qualified this year for the Women’s European Golf Tour.

Pamela, a former pupil of Doon Academy, visited the school to  tell the BBC news reporters about her time at University in Southern Florida, America and how she has recently qualified for the Tour.

Pamela studied in America for five years and then returned to her home in Patna. Our local golf course in Patna is where she learned to play golf. She went with her dad, Campbell Feggans. He taught her to play golf, alongside Hugh Johnstone, who still teaches young children and organises events at Patna Golf Club.

 

Pamela has taken part in many competitions at many Golf Courses throughout America and UK. She has been successful in many competitions. When she visited she brought in two of her most prized trophies. One was for USA All College Player of the Year.

Pamela plays with Ping golf clubs. She does not have a personal caddy yet so she has to hire a caddy for the competition. Pamela’s niece, Carla, also plays golf so in their spare time they go up the golf course for a round together.

Sometimes when Pamela is not away playing golf, she works in the chip van (The Nippy Chippy). She said if she could not play golf she would like to be a P.E teacher.

By Craig, Lauren and Hayley

To hear the interview with Pamela Feggans click here.

 

 

YOUNG PLAYERS PAY THEIR WAY

Mr Jim Jeffries, the Kilmarnock Football Club Manager was at Doon Academy to be interviewed for the BBC School News Report.

Killie boss Jim Jeffries told us that Rangers players get paid more in one week than Kilmarnock players get paid a year. He says the club live with financial problems but have some good young players coming through the ranks to help pay off debts.

To help ease their financial burden Kilmarnock has sold Steven Naismith and Kris Boyd to Rangers Football Club and Scott Anson was SPL young player of the year last season. Jim Jeffries brought a New Zealander, a 23 year old called Steven Old, who says he can’t wait to put on a Killie shirt. But legal reasons are holding up Killie’s attempt to sign him so he’s  stayed in the Park Hotel for seven weeks. Killie are trying to get work permit, but chairman Michael Johnston said this week that efforts were continuing behind the scenes to conclude the paperwork.

During his visit Mr Jeffries watched the first year play football, brought lots of football tickets and gave them out to 1st Year and brought a signed football for the school. Finally, he said, that if he gets the chance, he would like to manage one more club before he retires.

 

To hear Jim Jeffries being interviewed click here.

By Dylan and Ross

 

 

12 THINGS  TO KNOW ABOUT SCOTLAND’S TOP REF

BBC reporters Nicola, Claire and Tammy interviewed Charlie Richmond, one of Scotland’s top referees and also Nicola’s uncle.

What is your favourite food and why?

Pasta, because it is healthy.

Do you have children? Do your children like football?

Yes I have children, my son like football and my daughter
doesn’t know the rules.

Why did you pick refereeing?

I picked refereeing because I got told I was no good at football.

How much time do you spend at home?

I spend about 3 days out of a week at home spending time with my family.

Why are you not allowed to support a specific team?

I am not allowed to support a specific team because I would be biased.

Have you ever had a good report in the newspapers?

I don’t read the newspapers but hear about them from my family.

Where do you travel with your job?

I travel all around Europe

Where do you go on holiday?

In the U.K

Were you sad when you got tripped up and how did it happen?

I was injured by Nakamura in a match between Dundee United and Celtic. I was off football for 3 months

If you had to move to a country what one would it be and why?

New Zealand because I have family there or Australia because its hot.

Why do you have number 23 on your shirt?

Because I am the 23 man on the pitch.

Where was the first match you ever refereed?

Auchinleck Academy vs. Kilmarnock Academy

 

 

BBC SCOTLAND AND OFF THE BALL

BBC reporter Cameron was invited to the ‘Off the Ball’ programme to interview Tam Cowan.

I wrote a letter to Tam Cowan who has a radio show on Saturdays called ‘Off the Ball’ and I was really excited when I had a reply that he would meet me and be interviewed.

On the day of my visit security issued mum, my gran and myself with passes. I felt very pleased to be at the new BBC studios in Glasgow. When I met the producer of Off The Ball he took us to the cubicle and we saw how all the phone calls to the programme were answered. After the show we went to the cafeteria and I interviewed Tam Cowan.

Then our BBC mentor Sports Editor Tom Connor gave us a tour of the building and I sat in all the studios including Reporting Scotland, Late Night News and Sportsound.

I was delighted when I met BBC news anchor Huw Edwards and he showed us how they did Sportsound and the news. He told me how the projectors for the news and Sportsound take 10 minutes to switch on.

I had a really great day and I was astonished at the open planning of the building.

To hear Cameron's interview with Tam Cowan click here.

 

AYRSHIRE NEWS

 

Earlier in the week Doon Academy raised over £500 for Comic Relief by having a non-uniform day and a teacher’s karaoke.

 

The S1 Doon Academy Netball team had a glorious win of 5-3 against St. Josephs
The Team consisted of the following pupils: Sophie, Jade, Varri, Lauren, Claire, Raegan and Paige.

On the 29th April Doon Academy pupils will recite, dance and play musical interludes for the elderly in Patna for Patna Community Association.

 

Ayr United are 2nd   in the Second Division. They are 2 points behind leaders Raith Rovers Ayr United Boss Brian Reid will try to sign St. Johnstone defender Kevin Jones at the end of the season when his loan at Ayr expires. 

Killie sit 9th in the SPL after their 0-0 draw with Motherwell at Rugby Park on Saturday and they are trying to sign Aussie defender, Stephen Old.

Compiled by Peter

 

WORLD NEWS

In international news this week there has been controversy over the Google Street View. This  is a feature of Google maps and Google earth that provides pictures of individual houses for many streets in the world. It might be useful, but privacy campaigners have made a formal complaint.

Who can blame them as Sir Fred Goodwin’s home was shown and then later his windows were smashed at his Edinburgh villa and a car parked in the driveway was also damaged. His family were not home at the time but the former RBS chief was said to be "shaken" by news of the attack and his friends said those responsible had "gone too far".

But that wasn’t all. Liam Gallagher the 36-year-old Oasis singer is believed to have been captured by the new mapping service sitting outside the Queens pub in Camden, north London, when the camera car drove by last summer.

We think this debate will rage on and on and that privacy laws should be in place to prevent images of people and their homes being shown to everyone on the net.

By Varri

 

CRAGRATS

Cragrats is a drama group that came all they way up from England to Doon Academy to perform a play called “Wasted”.

Wasted was about 3 friends called Mike, Kelly and Taz. Mike & Kelly were boyfriend and girlfriend. Taz was one of their best friends that hung around with all them all the time. The 3 friends loved to drink alcohol but when Mike had too much to drink he got all angry and acting hard. This caused them all problems and upset their families. 

We all really enjoyed the play and thought the acting was fantastic. We then did some workshops with the actors about drinking and how it affects peoples’ lives. It was great fun and we really learned a lot.

Tami, Claire and Blair then interviewed Mike Ward, who played Taz, for the BBC School News Report. 

Blair: Where do you live?

Mike: In Manchester it is a great city.

Tami: Why did you become an actor?

Mike:  When I was younger I went to theatre school in Liverpool on a Saturday morning. I really enjoyed it and wanted to perform when I was older.

Tami: Who influenced you to become an actor?

Mike: It was my dad he has a business, which combined musical studies and acting.

Claire: Do you like travelling around the country performing in plays?

Mike: Yes it is great. I have seen many new places. I had never been to Dalmellington before in my life.

Tami: Is it hard work packing everything up and moving to a new place every day?

Mike: Yes it is and sometimes we do two shows a day in different schools, which is really demanding with only 3 of us.

Blair: What did you enjoy the most at school?

Mike: I liked acting and football.

Tami: Thanks very much for being interviewed we wish you good luck with the rest of the tour.

 

BURNS WREATHLAYING

As part of the 2009 Homecoming celebrations BBC reporters Peter and Robbie celebrated the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns.

On Burns birthday the 25th of January they laid a wreath in Burns Statue Square, Ayr. Robbie said ‘We were joined by many famous faces such as MSPs Cathy Jamieson, Sandra Osborne and John Scott.

We also met the First Minister Alex Salmond which was really great” Peter said’ we listened to the First Minister’s speech and then everyone sang Auld Lang Syne it was very special and moving.

Robbie said ’Later we went to the Station Hotel for a civic luncheon. It was great we had chicken and rice soup followed by Haggis, neeps and tatties and to finish off tea or coffee”.

Later that day our reporters were very surprised to see themselves on the television and radio news. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see last year's report click here.