Barrhead Young Folk Speak Out … and very well!

Thursday 13th November saw Barrhead back at St Luke’s for another speaking competition. We were taking part in the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition.

For the first time we entered the Intermediate competition as well as the Senior competition. For our Intermediate team this was the first time they had ever taken part in a speaking competition. Jonathan Gibson (S2) was our chairperson, Tom MacKay (S3) our speaker and Lee McTernan (S2) was our proposer of the vote of thanks. The boys put on a brilliant performance, discussing whether or not we should bring back the death penalty, and thoroughly impressed the judges. So much so that they won and will now go on to the next round on  the 1st February 2015.        

Our Senior team was made up of Alexandra Campbell (S6) our chairperson, Fraser Lundie (S5) our speaker and Euan Stevenston (S5) our proposer of the vote of thanks. Again the team put on an impressive performance discussing the risk of remembering the past through rose tinted glasses and not seeing the merits of today. Jim Murphy M.P. referred to Fraser’s speech several times during his feedback to all the teams in the award ceremony. Unfortunately the team were pipped at the post. Several members of the Rotary and teachers from other ERC schools commented on the calibre of the speeches this year. We are very proud of both teams.

A big thank you goes to Mr Maybury for all his hard work getting the pupils ready for the competition.

Pupils interested in joining the Barrhead Speaking Club should meet in Mr Maybury’s room on Mondays at lunchtime.

S4 & S5 – Parental Workshop – 2nd Dec 2014 at 6.30pm

All S4 & S5 students will be issued with a letter in the next few days detailing a Mindset for Achievement workshop that will be held on Monday & Tuesday, 1st & 2nd December.  This fast-paced workshop will challenge student’s attitudes and beliefs; do they have a fixed or growth mindset, how to deal with challenges in their lives and how to motivate themselves.

 

In addition, we are offering a parents’ mindset workshop on Tuesday, 2nd December at 6.30pm.

If you would like to attend the parents’ mindset workshop, then please return the tear-off slip (see the student letter) to the school office.

We look forward to welcoming you on Tuesday, 2nd December at 6.30pm.

Barrhead High Remembrance Day Service

With 2014 marking the 100th Anniversary of World War 1, the Barrhead High School community wanted to mark this year’s Remembrance Day in a special way.

Pupils had already been learning about the war in different ways in various classes – making rations in Home Ec, drill-type PT in Physical Education, ethical issues in Religious Studies and much more.  Two serving soldiers visited the school and spoke to pupils about life in the army and the realities of war.

The names of the 49 former pupils of Barrhead High School, who lost their lives in WW1, had been obtained from a plaque the school still has and had been displayed around the Quadrangle.  A number of our pupils and staff had realised some were their relatives and pupils in their English classes had written messages on poppies to some of the individuals.

On the morning of the 11th November, the Quadrangle area was decorated with artwork and poppies made in Art and English classes. All pupils and staff watched a powerful video presentation in their classes relating to the war and remembrance and then joined together in the Quadrangle for our own Service.

Head Teacher, Andy Sinclair, opened the service with an explanation of what we were doing and why. One of the school chaplains, Rev Jim Cowan, led everyone in an appropriate meditation and the service was punctuated by different musical contributions by staff and pupils – Fraser Lundie and Miss McArdle playing a guitar and flute duet, Ronan Park-Pattison playing a piano solo and Robbie Ferguson playing a violin solo while Craig Trench read the poem “They Shall Not Grow Old”.

Central to the service was the reading of the names of the 49 pupils who lost their lives. As each name was read by Corporal Forsyth or Lance-Corporal Gillespie, a pupil planted a cross with a poppy. Our Head Boy and Girl laid a wreath and two pupils played the Last Post to lead us all into the minute’s silence. As staff and pupils headed back to class afterwards, Miss Walker played us out with ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes.

The whole experience was extremely moving and made a huge impact on everyone present. A member of staff commented afterwards, “I was so proud of our pupils – seeing Barrhead High at its finest when we come together as a community”.  The service was memorable and appropriate and gave our young people an opportunity to feel part of something bigger – the overall effect was very powerful.

You can get a flavour of the service in the video clip – click on the link below.

Barrhead High Remembrance Service

Rotary Speaking Competition

Thursday night saw three S3 pupils taking part in the prestigious Rotary Speakers’ Club competition. It was open to all ERC schools. The Barrhead team – Eilidh Weatherston, Kirsty Robson and Daniella Mundemba – were third to speak. The girls discussed the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.  You could have heard a pin drop whilst the girls delivered their presentation. The girls were awarded second place – which means that they go through to the next stage of the competition at the end of November. They were a credit to the school and themselves.

   

 

A big thank you to Mr Maybury who coached them through to success. 

Next speaking competition – Rotary Youth Speaks Competition –  is on Nov 13th . Anyone keen to take part see Mrs Richardson or Mr Maybury ASAP.  

We already have several willing volunteers. 

Maybe Barrhead will send 2 teams to the next competition! Watch this space.

fireworks safety

Thank you to the Fire Officers from the Fire safety Centre in Paisley who spoke to our S1 pupils and our cluster P7 pupils who were visiting (Friday, 31st Oct) for the first of their taster sessions.  Fire Safety Officer Steven Smith advised young people on the potential dangers of fireworks and how to keep safe on bonfire night.

Careers Fayre – Thurs, 6th Nov

The Barrhead High Careers Fayre will take place at the school on Thursday 6th of November, from 7-9pm in the school dining area.

Over fifty delegates will be attending, including the major colleges and universities near Glasgow and beyond to answer any queries pupils have about their future studies. In addition, there will be a number of people representing a number of jobs in the ‘real people, real jobs’ section, covering a wide spectrum of professions (details attached).

This is a unique opportunity for the young people of Barrhead High to ask people about a number of careers with the aim of helping them make the correct choices as they consider their futures.

Parents and carers are encouraged to attend the event along with young people, which is a ‘drop-in’ evening where pupils can arrive and leave when they choose.

Any questions or queries, or if you would like to attend as a part of the ‘real people, real jobs’ section, please contact the school on 0141 577 2100.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Basketball Victory

Well done to BHS Senior Boys Basketball Team who managed a slim victory against St Ninians HS, winning 24-26.

Barrhead started the game brilliantly with some excellent inter-play between D Mundemba and A Watson. Into the second quarter with Barrhead leading 7-11, St Ninians stormed into the lead, finishing the half 17-13 ahead.
In the second half both teams tired a little, which allowed J Beatt to demonstrate some excellent individual skill by driving to the basket on numerous occasions. The final few minutes of the game were frantic, with Barrhead ahead by two points both teams used time-outs to tweak their offences. Further good work from D Mundemba in defense ensured victory for Barrhead.
Well done to all of the boys involved, including those that debuted for the team – E. Stevenson, A Innes, R Cooper, A Gilmour, S Ahmed, N Telerman and K McCormack.

Industrial Action Cancelled

I can now advise that Unison’s Local Government Committee met yesterday and they have agreed to suspend the strike action planned for 21 October 2014.

School will therefore be open as normal on Tuesday with all the normal services operating as usual.

Note. School will reopen at the usual time on Monday morning after the October week holiday.

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