BBC School News Day 2010

 

Weather World Record Attempt

Mr Lee with BBC reporters, Miss Joss and Mr Johnstone

Today, Geography teacher Roy Lee joined the BBC School News Reporters to take the temperature at exactly the same time as 250 other schools throughout the United Kingdom. Our witnesses at this event were local dignitaries Hugh Johnstone MBE and Annie Joss MBE.  The temperature was recorded at 4.0 and this was submitted to the BBC weather office. These interactive weather temperatures are to be entered for the Guinness World Record.        

       

Raven Princess Appears at Doon

To see a video except of the interview click here

As BBC School news reporters, Fiona and I were delighted to get a chance to interview the famous actress Lindsay McKenzie, who was Princess Erina in the famous CBBC programme, Raven, The Island.

Lindsay has wanted to be actress from a young age, her first acting role was dressing up as Santa in a Christmas play at primary school. From then on, she wanted to become actress, and no one could stop her, no matter how hard they tried. She went on to go to an expressive arts college and study dramatic arts. The college then put her profile on a system with lots of other actors and actresses, and the BBC then chose her through that to come for an audition for Raven, which she completed to become Princess Erina in Raven the Island.

Lindsay’s most embarrassing moment was on her first day on the Raven set, when she tripped on a tree root while filming. As they do not get taught how to act in front of cameras in stage school, Lindsay was really nervous on set. She also felt quite silly because she was talking to an invisible spirit, which was later added using computers. She also commented on how cold it was, as she had to walk around without a cardigan, and it was in the middle of a cold forest. Lindsay didn't think she could do the challenges herself though, as she’s scared of heights. She was lucky enough to work with colleagues who she says were wonderful people. Her first childhood memory is riding around the house on her bike. She is most inspired by her family, as they always support her.

She has met Sir Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, and is friends with Leah Hackett, who played Tina McQueen in Hollyoaks until she “died”.

Lindsay is now planning on working in Ascension, as she loves making people happy. She has already trained for 6 months in Spain and is now going to train some more.

We really enjoyed our visit from Lindsay and we wish her well for the future.

To hear the full interview click here

By Lauren and Fiona

 

Nature Newall visits School

BBC school news reporters were delighted to interview Mr Jim Newall local Forestry Ranger. Dylan and Craig interviewed him and asked him about his work”. We enjoyed asking Mr Newall questions and we hope he enjoyed answering them.

 

To be a Forest Ranger you need to work with an experienced worker with 20 years of experience and know the forest like the back of your hand.

 

Mr Newall’s favourite animal was a roebuck who are very rare in east Ayrshire. He has seen most animals and we were surprised that there were lots of different animals in Scotland, and in east Ayrshire.

 

I don’t know if I want to be a forest ranger but I was interested in what Mr Newall had to say about his job and his career.

To hear the full interview click here.

By Dylan and Craig

 

Gray lights up our day!

Varri and Tami interviewed the author Keith Gray during a session at Auchinleck Academy.

To see a video clip of the interview click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which author inspired you most as a child?

The author that inspired me most as a child was Robert Westall. I read this book called the Machine Gunners when I was 12 and I thought it was fantastic. But after Robert Westall I quickly became a big fan of horror and I am still a big fan of a man called Stephen King.

How does it feel walking into a bookstore and seeing your books on the shelves?

Its really nice walking into bookstores and seeing my books on the shelves because books take so long to write sometimes. Ostrich Boys, my new book took 3 years to write, so after 3 years of sitting at a desk by myself writing, walking into libraries and bookstores and seeing my book on the shelves is really nice.

Do you have a favorite book of your own, if so what?

That’s really difficult to say because they're all brilliant and it would seem unfair just to pick one. I think my first book Creepers, that’s got to have a place in my heart because it was the first book that I wrote, so I like that a lot. Maybe Ostrich Boys, my new book, its been my most successful book so far, so maybe I like that one a lot as well.  It’s difficult just to choose one.

What is the theme of the book you are working on just now?

The theme of the book I’m working on just now is friendship but that’s not really going to surprise too many people because out of the 15 books I’ve published so far 9 of them are about friendship. So I keep coming back to the same theme, friendship and loyalty and growing up with mates, good mates and bad mates so yes I do write a lot about that theme.

Are you reading a specific book just now?

I’m reading quite a few books right now. I review books for the Scotsman newspaper so I’m reading all the time. But its ok, if writing is my favourite thing in the world then reading is my second favorite thing, so I don’t mind. One of the books I’m reading at the minute is a book by a Scottish writer called Theresa Breslin called Prisoner of the Inquisition. I am half way through and its really good. I’m really enjoying it.

What’s your most prized possession?

My most prized possession used to be my hair! I’d say my prized possession is probably my imagination, which isn’t really a possession so maybe it would be my parrot. I have a pet parrot called Bellamy. She sits on my shoulder while I’m writing or she sits on the desk. If there were a fire in my house I’d probably rescue Bellamy first.

What do you prefer doing? Watching films or reading books?

I think I prefer reading books but I’m a big film fan. I do go to the movies a lot. Its stories, I love stories whether it’s on the television or in books. I’m just a huge fan of stories and I think before I called myself a writer I’d call myself a story teller because that’s what I do tell really good stories.

Would you say that fame has affected you and your family?

I’ll tell you when I’m famous! I’ve always had a big head so I don’t think you can get much bigger. What’s nice about what I do is I really enjoy writing so it’s nice my job is doing what I enjoy doing most.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life?

If I told you that I'd probably have to kill you. There’s been so many, I’m getting old now and the older you get the more embarrassing moments you collect. What I do though, I often write my embarrassing moments in my books, but give them to other characters and it’s a way of stopping me of getting embarrassed about these moments.

How did it feel to win the Royal Mail Award for Ostrich Boys?

It was the highlight of my career totally and absolutely. So thanks to anyone who voted Ostrich Boys, thanks you very very much. It was a huge boost to my career and a huge boost to me just feeling great about books and writing and hopefully the people who voted really liked Ostrich Boys. It was a fabulous day so thank you all for voting.

Thank you, thank you for having me.

To hear the full interview click here.

 

U Can Do It 2!

On Thursday 2 February, BBC school news reporters attended the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock for a workshop day called You Can Do It 2!

Each pupil went to two stations to help them choose their future careers. There were eighteen different workshops about various job types. 

Claire went to the workshops music editing and photography. In music editing we learned how to put music onto the computer using Garage Band and a Keyboard. In Photography we learned various types of cameras and looked at photos of weddings.

Hayley went to Business and Mind and Mobility workshops.  In the business workshop, we talked about how to run your own business, and identified different people who own big business companies such as Simon Cowell, Richard Branson and Duncan Bannantyne. In the Mind and Mobility workshop, we learned how people who have taken strokes and lost use of their arms and legs lived their lives.

The workshops were very interesting and it helped with choosing our future options.

By Hayley & Claire!

Scots Wha Hae!

Dr Freeman is a fellow in English at the University of Edinburgh. He is a graduate of many universities and has a PhD in English. He is the author of a book on the 18th century poet, Robert Fergusson. Over the past decade he has drawn over his extensive music background, producing over 30 (internationally acclaimed) CDs. During his visit to Doon Academy we had a chance to interview Dr Freeman. These are the questions we asked him:

Dr Freeman and some of our reporters

What is your favourite Scottish song?

Not one song but many! O cam ye here the fight to shun, Yestreen I had a pint o wine, my bonnie lass and many more

When did you start to become interested in Scottish history?
About 1972 when I was a young student

Who is your favourite cult singer?
 There’s at least two, Hamish Henderson and Jacob Bronowski

What were your favourite subjects at school?
Music and English. I wish to create in both and I in fact do

What is your vision for Scotland in the future?
My vision is a more enlightened Scotland with more thorough teaching of Scottish culture, history, language, and philosophy in schools.

Thank you Dr Freeman for answering our questions.

By Mark & Fiona

 

Just horsing around

Tammy and I go to Craigengillan stables where we own our own ponies. We decided to interview the stable manager, Roslyn Fyfe for the BBC school news report. Tammy and I interviewed her about the stables. We also asked her what she wants to do with the stables in the future. Roslyn is determined to make the stables better. She also wants to ride her own horses at competitions a bit more often than usual. Roslyn also wants to do less work in the yard (mucking out etc) and take on more young horses to break in and bring on. She wants a majority of the horses that she brings on to be excellent horses.

When Roslyn first took over the stables 6 years ago the stables were falling down and the whole yard needed re-built, with new stalls, new roofs and a school where the horses could be ridden. Now the yard is now renovated and painted and there is also a school. Roslyn intended for her stables to be a livery yard where only people who owned horses were allowed, but then there was a big demand for lessons and hacks. Everyone demanded hacks because of the beautiful scenery around the estate. Roslyn decided she would make her yard a riding school and a livery yard. She now owns 12 of her own horses and she owns around 20 riding school ponies. There are about 30 livery horses.

Tammy and I enjoyed interviewing Roslyn about her work at the stables.

By Amy & Tammy

To hear the full interview click here.

National News

Four politicians due in court on expenses charges

Three Labour MPs and a Conservative peer are due in court to face charges related to their expenses claims. Jim Devine, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, along with Lord Hanningfield, will deny false accounting when they appear before Westminster magistrates. Police began investigating after details of all MPs' expenses claims were leaked to a national newspaper.

Three asylum seekers leap out of flats.

Refugee father who plunged to his death with wife and son claimed he was a Russian spy trying to save the Queen. Three asylum seekers who tied themselves together with rope before jumping  to their deaths were a Russian family seeking asylum in the UK. Before they leapt, they threw a large wardrobe from the balcony to break the anti-suicide wire netting that surrounded it. The family left Canada in 2007 and in ten days travelled to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Bremen, Barcelona and Dublin before arriving in London. Here they contacted an MP, claiming Canada's prime minister was plotting against the Queen.

World’s Richest Person

The world’s richest person is now Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu. Slim Helu saw off the boss Bill Gates who was the world’s previous richest man.  The 2nd richest man is the investor Warren Buffett. Mr Slim Helu has a string of companies that he owns, including Telmex and America Movil, these companies are worth $53.5 billion. 

 

Local News

Dulcariny Falls. The famous Dulcarniy Falls in Dalmellington froze over during the winter season, due to temperatures plummeting to as low as –14°c.People from all over Ayrshire came to view the frozen water falls and lots of photographers came to take pictures. Then the falls was in the papers for nearly 2 weeks. Some courageous climbers attempted to scale the 35ft high ice wall.

 

War Memorial

 Dalmellington War Memorial has been totally refurbished by the local council funded by the community. The cost of refurbishment was £10,000. It used to be grotty,dull,dirty and had been vandalised. It is now bright, clean and eye catching  to honour those brave soldiers.

 

Holiday homes
Mr Gibson from Craigengillan estate has rebuilt to ruins and made them into desirable holiday homes. If people would like to stay in them they pay £600 for a week. If they have any pets they can get them accommodated at the stables. The cottages are called “Find me out” and “Forget me not.” One has a thatched roof and one a slate roof.The interior is beautiful and very welcoming.

Doon Amateurs
 A new football team established called Doon Amateurs. The coach is Graeme Bowie. Its been their first season and there’re doing fairly well. Lets wish them luck.

Sports News

Man Utd 4 – 0 AC Milan  (Man Utd win 7-2 aggregate) 

Wayne Rooney scored 2 goals on Wednesday night 10th March 2010 to make his goal list to 30 goals this season, which is only 12 goals away from C. Ronaldo tally. J .S Park another player from Man Utd scored a goal last night to make it 3 – 0 and another wonderful goal by the Scotsman Darren Fletcher who made it a fantastic 4-0 victory by Manchester United

 

Real Madrid 1-1 Lyon   (Lyon win 2-1 on aggregate)

Lyon knocked out the big spenders Real Madrid in the Champions League. A late goal from Lyon’s Mirolem Pjanic ensured Lyon’s place in the last 8 of Europe’s most wanted trophy.

 

Funding Boost for Scottish Golf

Scotland’s up and coming golfing stars have received a massive boost after the Government has injected £1million into the Scots golfing scene to help amateurs make professional status. There has also been a further £1million ploughed in for strategic development of Scottish Golf.

Weather

The Weather Forecast for Ayr for the next three days is:

Thursday: A dry and bright start to the day, rather frosty through South Lanarkshire and parts of Ayrshire. However, cloud will thicken with patchy rain possible in Argyll during the morning, the rain becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Freshening winds.

BBC School News Day

Click here for last year's page.