GARNOCK Community Campus unveiled their new school badge last week that will be the logo of their new £40million campus, but it hasn’t gone down well with everyone after a petition was launched.

The new school campus which is being built on Beith Road, Kilbirnie is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year as pupils from both Glengarnock Primary and Garnock Academy prepare to move into the new state-of-the-art facility.

Pupils from both schools worked together to come up with a new design that will replace both schools logos.

Five designs were shortlisted before pupils from both schools casted their votes on the new logo for the campus. Over 900 votes were casted and the new logo for the campus was the winning design with 39 per cent of the vote.
The design is intended to be colourful and to fully represent the whole of the Garnock Valley.

Garnock Academy head teacher Alan Dick said: “We are delighted with the new badge as it reflects the fact we are moving to a fantastic new school campus.

“It is very modern design and one that was designed and chosen by the pupils themselves. The pupils have previously played a key role in the naming of the new school and it’s important that they are involved in the process because it is their school.

“Everyone is really looking forward to moving to Garnock Community Campus when it is complete. The facilities will be fantastic – it’s an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved.”

Councillor John Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education Attainment and Achievement, said: “The fantastic new campus is taking shape and I know everyone is looking forward to moving in.”

“With the pupils having helped choose the name and design of the new badge, it gives them a real stake in the future of the campus. The modern design of the badge reflects the new era for everyone in the local communities.”

S3 pupil Charlotte Nimmo said: “I think the new badge is bright and modern, like the future of Garnock Community Campus. It is really good that the badge reflects the community and the Garnock Valley.”

However, the new design hasn’t went down well with everyone. Former Garnock Academy pupil Rochelle Baxter has set up a petition on change.org demanding the new badge to be changed, citing that the design does not represent a traditional badge design.

The petition has gathered 113 signatures.

One signatory who wrote on the petition page, said “This badge does not represent the history, fairness or spirit of a school.

Another said: "Horrible to say the least."

But North Ayrshire Council were vocal in their support of the new badge, stating it represents the new era for the school.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The badge was designed by the pupils to reflect the new beginning for Glengarnock Primary School and Garnock Academy as they prepare to move into the new £40 million campus.

“It was one of five designs which the pupils voted on and the winning badge was the overwhelming choice with 39 per cent of the votes, more than 17 per cent ahead of the second most popular design.

“The design is bold and modern, and reflects a new era for the school and the whole community.”

The new £40million campus is set to be completed in December. The campus will bring pupils together from Garnock Academy and Glengarnock Primary as well as serving Beith, Kilbirnie, Glengarnock and Dalry.

The brand new facility will also contain a state-of-the-art six lane swimming pool and a brand artificial pitch that will be suitable for both football and rugby.

Garnock Academy High Teacher Alan Dick is pictured with pupils (left to right) Charlotte Nimmo, Louise Gilbert and Jennifer Heyburn and the new school badge for Garnock Community Campus.