Congratulations to S5 and S6 pupils who participated in the Mini Trials Inter-School Competition in Paisley Sheriff Court on Saturday 30th November. This involved pupils acting as lawyers, witnesses and jurors in cases overseen by the Sheriff. Pupils gave an outstanding performance, successfully winning their prosecution case finding the defendant guilty.

Welld done to former pupil Ryan Gallagher has been selected by Glasgow Kelvin College to represent them for a culture visit to Malta, Germany and Holland. This is a two year environmental project related to his apprenticeship. Ryan secured his apprenticeship after participating in East Renfrewshire’s vocational programme in S6 where he completed a National Certificate in Building Services Engineering at North Glasgow College.

Congratulations to the following senior pupils have won awards in the UK Maths Challenge:

Gold, Best in School and S6:

Stuart McGibbon (6a7)

Stuart has qualified for the Senior Kangaroo round which will take place on Friday 29th November.

Gold and Best in S5:

Joseph Coyle (5a8)

Silver:

David Graham (6a1), Mark McCormick (6a10)

Bronze:

Mark Toner (6a6), Max Duncan (6a2), Luke Fossett (6a4), Adam Spence (5a6)

Well done to Martin Cassells (2a7) who was voted East Renfrewshire’s Bank of Scotland Midnight League Player of the Year.  As a reward he enjoyed a days training with former Scotland manager Alex McLeish.

Martin is the captain of the U14 St Ninian’s football team who have aspirations of winning the Scottish Shield this year.  We wish him and the boys every success.

McLeish Gives Midnight League Masterclass

Our S6 pupils are engaged a wide variety of community placements this year, from assisting in local primary and nursery schools to helping out at a Care Home. Below are some comments from our students on how these experiences have enabled them to develop a range of skills, preparing them well for life after school!

“Since returning for Sixth Year, it has been a privilege to be volunteering at Isobel Mair School. Working with the younger children, I have seen their confidence grow and develop. Having spent most of my teenage years mixing with my own peer group, working with these young children with a variety of special needs was a challenge which I fully embraced. I am working hard to build up relationships with the children and to gain their trust and respect. I have also learned that no matter what our disabilities and limitations are, with patience, tolerance and a sense of humour, we can all make a difference to each other’s lives.” 
Nicola Shaw 6a2

“Every Wednesday morning, I go to St.Cadoc’s Primary School and volunteer in a Primary 7 class. I normally assist the primary pupils with their Mathematics and English skills. It has been a good experience, especially as I want to go into teaching once I leave high school. Therefore it has given me a great insight into the classroom from teacher’s point of view rather than from a pupil’s point of view. This experience as made me realise just how much I want to go into teaching and has me strive for it even more.

It has also helped me to develop my communication skills as well as my leadership skills, as it has helped me to overcome nerves I experienced when speaking in front of large groups of people.”
Amy Hughes 6a2

“Isobel Mair is a great community placement as it has developed my skills in many ways. Working with children with special needs or who are disabled has allowed me to improve my patience and interpersonal skills, which are essential qualities needed for the future. Through my placement I have also learnt that each individual requires different levels of care and attention as well as being treated equally. The variety of needs required by the children reveals the versatile skills needed by volunteers, such as showing empathy and communicating in a variety of ways, e.g. verbally, physically, written.”
Daneyh Kenbar 6a7

A 5k sponsored midnight walk in aid of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice was completed by Nicola Martin 1a4 on 7 September 2013.  She, along with her sister Laura, raised the sum of £420.  Well done!

Well done to Matthew Boyle, Stuart Carle (4a3) and Christopher Scott (4a6) who cycled from Glasgow to Edinburgh.  They all completed the distance in 4 hours 30 minutes or quicker!

Well done to Frankie O’Donnell (2a4) who has passed his Grade 2 Theory of Music exam with merit.  He has also passed his Guitar Rockschool exam with distinction and his Grade 1 LAMDA acting exam with merit!

Well done to Darragh Maginnis (1a1) who came 3rd in the Clyde and West Junior Fishing Championships 2013  which took place in Greenock.  He caught an incredible 23 fish!