Irvine pupils give office a Dr Who makeover

Jul 3 2009 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

Office gets a Dr Who makeover

PUPILS at Irvine Royal Academy are busy working on a project to transform a boring office into a police Tardis.

And they have been set the challenge by campus police woman Joyce Robertson, who dreams of having a bright office dedicated to the law enforcers of popular culture.

Already, the door to the office is in the process of being given a Tardis appearance complete with a bell and telephone on the outside.

The pupils are part of the XL Club, who are set challenges, from mountain climbing to designing and now DIY.

PC Robertson said: “I decided that my room was in need of a revamp and asked the pupils who attend the XL Club if they wanted to help make it over.

“They all seemed keen and got to work looking up photographs of police men and women from the films and TV shows over the years.

“We want to paint their images on the wall and make this a hub for pupils to come to.

“XL teacher David Urquhart came up with the Tardis theme for the front door as it really is a room that’s much bigger inside than it looks.

“Everyone’s enthusiastic and it will be good to see the room when it’s finished after the summer.”

Pupil Natasha Goodled, 15, believes the XL Club is what keeps her interested in school.

“We all enjoy XL as it gives us the chance to try new activities and learn new skills that we wouldn’t normally have the chance to.

“The XL teachers are all great and treat us like grown ups, listen to our ideas and support our designs. I know a lot of pupils wouldn’t like school as much if it wasn’t there.”