The stereotype of school food is that it is not particularly good. Many pupils decide against having school food because it does not look or taste appealing. However, not all students have the luxury of not having school food as they do not have the facilities to create a packed lunch or purchase one at the shop.  

This is not however, the fault of the lunch staff as they are doing the best, they can with what they have, and they must provide food for school children. They do not have much of a choice in what they are making.  

We have produced many solutions to the problems that school lunches present themselves with, but before we get to the solution, we must inform you of the issues. These include lack of variety, running out of food, off-putting looks, defrosted food, and unsanitary tables and/or floor. 

The problem of running out of food could be easily solved by a simple solution of pre-ordering food before the school day. This is so that you have a chance to decide if you want school food, prepare, and create less waste. This, in the long run, will be immensely helpful in saving money and reducing wastage. Saving money would mean that the school could create more options for pupils’ lunches and health. 

The appearance of school food is not always great, though the main factor in that is that the food is frozen. We understand that fresh food can be expensive and can be difficult to come by, especially because of our location. Again, this is not the school’s fault, and we are aware that there is not a lot that can be done. One way of helping solve this problem would be to use the fruit and vegetables that we are currently growing in our Polytunnel. This solution would be inexpensive and would get students involved in the process of creating their lunches. 

Overall, we have brought to light problems and have provided some solutions that we think could solve some of the issues we find school foods have. However, in this school the problems are not major, and we hope they could be easily fixed.  

By Hannah, Mahoney and Lily (S3) 

The new Activities Week plan for wet weather and dry weather is amazing and is going to be a blast! 

Activities Week has lots of trips planned for the students including one to Mingulay, Canna, Barrahead. 

Here are some words from one of the excited pupils: “I am so exited for the Activities Week; I am going to love it !” 

The trip to Mingulay is going to be very beneficial for the students going on the trip! 

Overall, everyone is very excited about the activities and can’t wait any longer! 

by Scott, Ewan and Dominic (S3)

On Friday 10th of June there was a ceilidh in Castlebay School – there was a really good turn out and teas, coffees and juice were served halfway through. There were brownies, short bread and dumpling available as well. 

At the ceilidh there was traditional music, contemporary songs, Gaelic songs, fiddlers, pipers, and pianists. The performers were Rachael, Aithne, Patrick, Calum, Seonaidh, Domhnall Eachainn, Ewan, Ruairidh, Charlotte, Guillem, Anna, Sorcha, Maria, Julia, Orla, Scott, Seumas and most of S1. 

The ceilidh’s first half started off with a pipe set; then Charotte sang ‘Song for Ireland’, Guilleam played the piano. Anna, Aithne, and Sorcha played a fiddle set, Maria played a piano solo, Aithne sang a Gaelic song, Rachael and Julia played an accordion and drum set, Calum and Orla played a piano piece, Anna, Laura, Scott, Seumas and Patrick played ‘Paddy’s Leather Bríogaís’ and then ended with the S1s playing ‘An Dà Latha’ and ‘Feumaidh mi tilleadh a Bharraigh’. After the twenty-minute break the second half kicked off with the pipers paying ‘Farewell to Nigg’ and ‘Itchy Fingers’. Katie and Holly sang ‘Skyfall’, Patrick and Seumas on the accordion and pipes, Sorcha sang a song, Domhnall played piano, Rachael and Laura did a piped a waltz, march and jig set, Erin played piano, Charlotte sang a song and to finish everyone played ‘Close to Home’ as a finale. 

Last Friday, a ceilidh took place at Castlebay Community school performed by pupils. Mrs MacNeil, the music teacher, organised this as there hasn’t been a ceilidh in the school in the last few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pupils have been practicing over the course of the year to perform.  

During the week following up to the Mrs MacNeil has been taking pupils out of classes to perform. Aonghas has helped set up for the concert and has helped Mrs MacNeil doing sound checks and organising the performance area for the ceilidh on Friday. Senior pupils have been involved in organising the banner for the dance.  

Parents, tourists and pupils from St Andrews were watching pupils perform. The crowd was full fifteen minutes before the event had started. Some of the it started with the pipes then Charlotte sung the song for Ireland after that Guillem played the piano. After that Anna, Aithne and Sorcha performed on the fiddle, Maria played Solas on the piano was followed by Rachael and Julia playing the accordion and drums next up was Calum and Orla playing the piano, penultimately was Paddy’s leather brigade played by Anna, Laura, Scott, Seumas and Patricks. Lastly before the break was S1 Gaelic playing An Da Latha. 

During the break they were snacks and drinks for the performers and audience brought in the community. After the break more acts followed including pipes, Katie singing, Patrick and Seumas on the bagpipes and accordion, Sorcha MacDougall singing, Domhnall playing the piano, Rachael, Laura and Mairead playing the pipes, Erin Kearney followed on the piano the penultimate act was Charlotte singing a song and then finished with everyone playing Close to Home. Then the audience applauded the performance and the performers bowed.  

Quotes from the performers on the night: 

An anonymous player said, ‘they felt their performance was good.’ 

Another anonymous player said ‘they weren’t nervous about the performance because they had done all that jazz before.’ 

Another anonymous performer said that ‘it was really exciting.’ 

by Charlie and Calum (S3)

Last Friday a ceilidh was held in Castlebay Community School performed by secondary pupils. There were 22 different performances all together with instruments such as the pipes, piano, fiddle, accordion, drums, electric chanter, and singers.  

The ceilidh was opened by the pipes followed up by 11 other acts until the halfway break where you could have sweeties, cakes, and coffee. The second half was opened by the pipes and then the ceilidh was finished with everyone playing together the song called “Close to Home.”  

There were three clear standout acts. “Dancing on my Own” was sung by Seumas MacLeod with real passion and emotion. The Ceilidh Band played “Jig Runrig” followed straight up by “Kenny Gillies.” This put everyone into a happy and lively mood. At the end of the ceilidh everyone was thanked for coming to the ceilidh, and there was a big thanks to Domhnall Ban for coming over from Uist to help with the pipers, a big thanks to Aoghnas and Elaine for helping with all the sounds, and a big thanks to Angus Brendan. The ceilidh was closed by most people playing “Close to Home.” This sounded fantastic and was heart-warming, everyone was touched by it and the ceilidh was ended beautifully.  

Also, a big thank you to Lisa for everything: setting up the concert and helping us prepare for the concert throughout the past weeks. 

by Patrick, John Francis and Calum (S3)