Diane Walker, (S4), was recently interviewed by Radio Scotland regarding her internet channel ‘heyitsdianewalker’ and her passion for the media. Diane was interviewed by the Scottish actor, writer, journalist and commedian Janey Godley. The programme was broadcast on 10 March 2015. Well done Diane and good luck with your media career!
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Mr McBrearty Honoured With Saint Ninian’s Medal
On Monday 19 May Bishop Keenan presented Mr Tom McBrearty with the Saint Ninian’s Medal for outstanding service to St Ninian’s High School.
Mr McBrearty’s commitment has been nothing short of exceptional since he began working here at the school’s inception 30 years ago.
He and wife Mrs Pat McBrearty will retire at the end of this session.
We wish them both a long and happy retirement and better luck for his beloved Morton FC!
Salamanca Trip Experiences and Photos
Last week a group of S3 pupils vistited Salamanca in Spain for a cultural and spiritual retreat. Two of the pupils who went on this trip reflected on their experience:
I have just returned from a school trip to Salamanca. I was given this great opportunity because I study French and Mandarin. Even although many of those around me were able to speak Spanish I didn’t feel left out, because the trip wasn’t just about that. It was also a very spiritual and cultural experience as we visited Cathedrals and many places related to St Theresa of Avila.
We also enjoyed meals in some local restaurants and rounded off our trip with a visit to the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Fortunately I learned a small number of phrases and verbs in Spanish which will be useful for me in the future. I also had to use my communication skills to make new and lasting friendships with those on the trip that I hadn’t previously spoken to in school. In short I loved every minute of my trip to Salamanca and will treasure the memories for ever!
Declan Gallagher (3a4)
Last week my Spanish class and I travelled to Salamanca in Spain. After months of preparation from the staff, pupils and parents nothing could have prepared us for the week of laughter, activities, culture and spirituality that we experienced whilst there.
I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that we made lasting friendships and memories that will last for ever. We also forged bonds with our teachers and peers alike whilst on the trips to Cathedrals, La Pena de Francia and Avila. We celebrated Mass each day in the Chapel of the Royal Scots College where we were staying with Father Charles O’Farrell. At Mass we were each given the opportunity to read a bidding prayer in Spanish.
Our trip was unforgettable and teachers provided us with opportunities that we otherwise would not have experienced – for that I am very grateful!
Nuala McBride (3a2)
Primary Maths Challenge
Congratulations to St Cadoc’s who won the Primary Maths Challenge with an amazing 762 points. The runners up were OLM with 716 points and then St Joseph’s with 708 points.
All of the scores were outstanding and reflected the hard work and commitment of the pupils and staff.
St Ninian’s U14s Win First Ever Scottish Shield
Congratulations to St Ninian’s High School U14 football team who won the U14 Scottish Schools’ Football Association Scottish Shield after a 2-1 victory over Trinity High School from Rutherglen on Monday 19 May. This is the first Scottish Shield title for St Ninian’s and the first of any school in East Renfrewshire.
The game was played in great spirit by both teams with the first half going from end to end. Declan Walsh and Matthew Coyle were the stand out players for St Ninian’s as they broke up play and launch attacks. At half-time it was 0-0. The second half was mostly dominated by St Ninian’s who were rewarded with a goal with 12 minutes to go. Paul Smith swung in a free kick and Matthew Reilly intelligently headed passed the keeper. This goal was cheered enthusiatically by the St Ninian’s supporters who sensed they were about to see history being made. However, just a few minutes later Trinity equalised with an unstoppable long range shot. Chances then came at either end as both teams tried to win it with penalties beckoning. Matthew Boyle made an incredible save to keep St Ninian’s in it. Then with seconds remaining Mark MacBeth was played through on the right hand side of the penalty box. The angle was against him and it seemed he should to look for a pass, though he struck a shot which flew passed the keeper and into the net. The players and supporters were in raputures as the final whistle then blew.
A massive well done to all of the boys who are now enshrined in St Ninian’s folklore and they will be able to treasure this memory forever.
Matthew Boyle (2a10), Gregor Carey (2a1), Martin Cassells (2a7), Matthew Connelly (2a10), Matthew Coyle (2a6), Ronan Fox (2a5), Sonny Innes (2a9), Steven Johnston (2a3), Mark MacBeth (2a4), Alex MacDonald (2a10), Craig McKeegan (2a5), Raymond Paton (2a8), Matthew Reilly (2a10), Lewis Smith (2a6), Paul Smith (2a3), Declan Walsh (2a6)
You can view more photos from this great occasion here.
BBC Scottish Apprenticeships 2014
Huge congratulations to Johanna Scanlan (6a5) who out of over one thousand applicants, and having undergone a rigorous interview process, has been successful in securing one of only five apprenticeships with the BBC. Johanna’s enthusiasm to work for the BBC stems back to a very successful S4 work experience with them where she made a very positive impression. Great news and well deserved!
U18 Football Team Extend Winning Run
Congratulations to the U18 football team who won the St Mirren Cup on Wednesday 14 may with a 4-1 victory over St Luke’s.
The boys were determined to leave school on a high and goals from Danny McBeth, Oliver Lincoln, Mark Toner and Michael Bauld clinched the trophy. Ewan Forsyth was heroic in goals and in attack Husnain Mansoor was particularly outstanding and was rightly given the man-of -the-match award. Though all of the boys gave 10/10 performances in what was their final match for St Ninian’s.
This extends the purple patch that St Ninian’s have been experiencing having recently won the U13, U14 and U16 boys league titles and U18 Girls St Mirren Cup.
Hopefully more is to come on Monday when the U14 football team face Trinity High School from Rutherglen in the Scottish Shield Final (7pm at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie) and the U13, U14, U15 and U16 teams play their St Mirren Cup Final matches!
Modern Languages Awards
Congratulations to Matthew Biggins (6a3) who has been awarded St Ninian’s High School’s Joe Mullaney Award. The award goes to an S6 pupil who has been an outstanding linguist throughout his/her time in St Ninian’s and who is going to continue language studies. Named after Joe Mullaney who taught in our department until his passing 8 years ago – he was an outstanding linguist himself and extremely passionate about French and Italian in particular. As well as the award Matthew will also receive a £50 gift voucher. Well done!Also, congratulations to Lorena Dynes (6a7) who was successful in achieving the Rita Donnelly Award. This award recognises an S6 pupil who intends on continuing studying a foreign language at university. The prize of £2000 will pay for a foreign language course this summer in France, Spain or Italy.
Alan Turing Cryptography Competition
Congratulations to Gemma McDonald (3a2), Morgan Flood (3a6) and Jennifer Quigley (3a9) (team GJMC) who came third out of 633 teams in the Alan Turing Cryptography Competition.
The competition involved pupils solving a series of puzzles using cryptography and ciphers to break codes. The team won a trophy, certificates and £20 Amazon vouchers.
Mr McBrearty Honoured With Saint Ninian’s Medal
On Monday 19 May Bishop Keenan presented Mr Tom McBrearty with the Saint Ninian’s Medal for outstanding service to St Ninian’s High School.
Mr McBrearty’s commitment has been nothing short of exceptional since he began working here at the school’s inception 30 years ago.
He and wife Mrs Pat McBrearty will retire at the end of this session.
We wish them both and long and happy retirement and better luck for his beloved Morton FC!
