Category: School News

Fairwell Mrs McLaren

It all started in January 1975, in the old building of Notre Dame High School on Pete road, and is coming to an end on the 6th September 2019 in the latest build of Notre Dame High School which is now located on Dunlop street. This is of course the retirement of one of Notre Dame’s longest serving and much loved member of staff, Mrs MacLaren.

“there are a lot more opportunities in and out of school nowadays…”

Mrs Maclaren had always been fascinated and intrigued by the idea of working in a school office ever since she was a pupil at St Columba’s. So, when the opportunity to work as a member of the office staff at the local high school arrived, she could not say no. However despite all of this when it came to Mrs MacLaren’s first day of working at Notre Dame, she felt it was a very daunting experience and was unsure of what the future would hold.

Mhairi interviews Mrs MacLaren for Notre Dame Now. (Photo Credit: Emma McG)
Mhairi interviews Mrs MacLaren for Notre Dame Now. (Photo Credit: Emma McG)
Mhairi interviews Mrs MacLaren for Notre Dame Now. (Photo Credit: Emma McG)
Mhairi interviews Mrs MacLaren for Notre Dame Now. (Photo Credit: Emma McG)
Mhairi interviews Mrs MacLaren for Notre Dame Now. (Photo Credit: Emma McG)

When asked about how different school life was to when Mrs MacLaren started to now, she said that “it is very different” this is because of how much technology has evolved throughout time, an example of this is that when Mrs MacLaren first started she would do all her work on a manual typewriter as using a computer was not an option. She also stated that school life for students has changed dramatically, this is because there are a lot more opportunities in and out of school nowadays including trips abroad or educational trips that pupils can take part in.

When asked about looking back at her time at Notre Dame Mrs MacLaren said she has loved every second of it, and that she will miss Notre Dame, However she said she is thankful that she will never have to print off a spare timetable for a pupil ever again.

We Are the Champions!

As three of Notre Dame’s high-flying football teams take to turf for Finals Day, here’s a round-up of the action from Sports Writer, Ryan Campbell – reporting live from Parklea Playing Fields, Port Glasgow – Friday 31st May, 2019.

Notre Dame’s outstanding under-14s boys’ football team stormed to yet another victory and successfully defended their Paisley & District League title on Friday.

The boys treated the gathered crowds to some fantastic football at Parklea Playing Fields and emerged victorious after defeating Williamwood High School, from Clarkston, 1-0 in the dying minutes of the tantalising final.

All credit to Williamwood’s goalkeeper whose poised performance kept Notre Dame off the score sheet for much of the hard-fought fixture.

There were chances galore for Notre Dame, who seemed to be itching to score the entire game, but left it just 3 minutes before the final whistle to settle to game – and league – for good.

Heads down after St Mirin Cup defeat
Back on form against Williamwood
Back on form against Williamwood
Winners’ medals
Champions!

A Cian Hughes free kick found the head of striker Aiden Gilmartin, who played impressive, eye-catching football throughout and thoroughly deserved his goal when it finally arrived.

A buzzing Aiden spoke to Notre Dame Now after the game and the St Mirren pro-youth player described his winning header as his “favourite goal of the season”.

The victory was particularly sweet as it comes just a fortnight after the boys crushing 4-2 defeat to St Ninian’s, from Giffnock, in the St Mirin Cup Final.

Building on their S1 triumphs, the boys started and ended the season champions in what has been another incredibly successfully season for the close-knit squad, coached by Mr Armour and Mr Galloway.

They kicked off Friday’s final without their captain Zak Crombie, who suffered an injury in the semi-finals, but whose voice was with them throughout as he passionately encouraged his team from the sidelines.

Standing in to lead the boys on this important occasion was teammate Andy Hunter who took the captain’s armband and helped to maintain a composed performance from the skilful young team that allowed their talent and teamwork to sparkle.

Speaking just after the game, an elated Mr Armour commented: “I’m absolutely delighted. They thoroughly deserve the win today and the league victory after what’s been another great season.”

 

Senior Sorrow

Notre Dame’s Senior Boys’ football team were also defending a title at Parklea as they lined up against a formidable side from St Andrew’s Academy, Paisley, in the St Mirin Cup Final.

Sadly, the sheer strength of the St Andrew’s side stood in the Notre Dame boys’ way of cup glory on this occasion and the experienced team, who’ve enjoyed a successful season under the leadership of coach Mr O’Donnell, tasted defeat.

The first chance fell for St Andrew’s very early in the first half and they immediately capitalised, firing it home to open the scoring at 0-1.

The St Andrew’s goal-scorer soon picked up his second goal to make 0-2, before a through ball split the Notre Dame defence open and St Andrew’s made it 0-3.

A quick flurry of attacks meant Notre Dame had a mountain to climb to try and get back in the game. From a corner, the ball bounced to Josh Cooper who hit a stunning half volley off the bar.

Soon after, the referee awarded a penalty, only for Notre Dame keeper Kieran Dougan to save it, before the whistle sounded for half time.

Perhaps buoyed on by their keeper’s heroics, Notre Dame looked much more positive in the second half but the ball just wouldn’t fall to the attackers.

Following a serious spell of Notre Dame pressure, St Andrew’s hit the post before pouching on the rebound to make it 0-4.

The visitors from Paisley even had time to add a fifth and sixth goal, proving simply clinical on the day and resulting in what was a harsh 0-6 scoreline in the end.

 

Under-13s Final ends in 10-goal Thriller

Triumphant from their 3-2 win over Gleniffer in the semi-final, Notre Dame’s under 13 boys booked their place in the final at Parklea against Williamwood High School, from Clarkston.

Notre Dame started the game well but minor errors meant that they found themselves 0-3 down. The S1 boys battled admirably in an Istanbul-inspired comeback to make it 3-3, but Williamwood proved clinical and the game finished 6-4 to the East Renfrewshire side.

Although Notre Dame started the game well the first goal-scoring opportunity fell the way of Williamwood who cleared Notre Dame’s defence and hit it near post to make it 0-1. Again Williamwood enjoyed the break of the ball before they made a driving run into the box and nutmegged the goalkeeper to make it 0-2.

After their opponents bagged a third goal, Notre Dame appeared to spark a comeback after winning a crucial free kick. Jamie Bradley’s ball, delivered high and dangerous, found the head of a Williamwood player who brought the score to 1-3 with an own goal.

Just before half-time Notre Dame piled on the pressure as Shay Rodgers placed a low cross into Jamie Bradley, who scored a beautiful bicycle kick to make it 2-3 and sway the momentum in Notre Dame’s favour.

Notre Dame started the second half as they ended the first: piling on the pressure. When a free kick was saved by the visiting goalkeeper, it fell to Reece Morris who tapped it home to level the scoring at 3-3.

However, Williamwood attackers certainly brought their shooting boots along to Parklea where their fourth and the game’s seventh goal made it 3-4.

Roan McDermid was unlucky as he got a hand to a ball that had been deflected over, to make 3-5. Soon the visitors added another to make it 3-6 and, in the final minutes of the final, Jamie Bradley fired a bullet high into the net to make it 4-6. Williamwood held out to win 4-6 in the end.

After the match, under-13s coaches, Mr Tyley, Mr Currie and Mr Skelton applauded their team’s effort to come from 3 goals down to put serious pressure on Williamwood.

“They couldn’t have worked any harder,” said Mr Tyley. Mr Currie added, “They’ve done themselves proud. Well done boys.”

On Your Marks, Get Set…

Reporting live from Ravenscraig Stadium – Mhairi Moore, Tammi O’Connor, Rhiana Rankin and Jill McGowan

Notre Dame’s pupils were jumping for joy but wrapped up warm today for unseasonably chilly but typically Scottish weather for our annual School Sports Day.

Around 150 pupils from S1 to S3 travelled the short distance to Ravenscraig Sports centre, Greenock, to take part in a series of track and field events.

Nerves and adrenaline were running high as the young sprinters in each year group lined up against each other in a series of hard but fairly fought contests in front of assembled staff and pupils.

Photo credit: Miss Darroch
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now

With S1’s heats completed, the S2 boys seemed particularly eager to get off the starting line and joined their S1 boys peers in the false start club.

Among those emerging victorious from the morning’s 100 metre sprinting heats, and set to race again in the afternoon’s final, were  S1 boys Liam Flynn, James Kinsella and Romell Marks; S2 boys Kayden Shearer and Bob Anderson; S2’s Sophie McAllister; and S3’s Lauryn Bell and Karys Hughes. Meanwhile the field events saw potential new school records broken in long jump for S3 girls, Sophie McGarrigle and Lorna McKloud, and for Sophie McGarrigle and Stephanie Turner in the high jump. Another potential record was broken in the high by Bob Anderson in S2.

 

S1’s Katie Johnson, who also runs with local club Greenock Glenpark Harriers, sprinted to victory in the girls 200m, while in S2 and S3 girls 200m races, Sophie McAllister and Lauryn Bell (respectively) triumphed. S3’s Gavin Houten, meanwhile, blasted through yet another school record to win the 200 metres for the boys, and he was joined by fellow 200m winners Kayden Shearer (S2) and James Kinsella (S1).

 

Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Courtesy of Notre Dame Now
Photo credit: Miss Darroch

Other results saw Marc Griffin, S2, win the 800 metre final, while in the girls 800m, good sportsmanship was shown between Maddison Allan and Stephanie Turner. In S1, Matthew Millar won the 1500 metre race and Kian O’Brian leapt to victory in the Long Jump.

Well done to everyone who took part, got involved and helped out.

 

 

 

Drawing out their Talents

By Jill McGowan and Iona McKnight                              

Notre Dame’s craftiest pupils were left inspired to create their own graphic novels after being treated to a visit from two internationally successful authors.

John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, aka ‘Metaphrog’, have experienced success in America, the UK and around the world with their series of stunning graphic novels.

The talented duo took time out of their artistic lives to visit Notre Dame on Friday, May 10th, and pupils were gobsmacked to learn that John is actually a fellow Greenockian.

The gathered pupils listened in awe as John opened the creative workshop by explaining how he grew up in Kelly Street and ended up in New York. Determined to follow his passion, future graphic novelist John simply committed himself to drawing, doodling and sketching every single day.

John’s co-creator, French-born Sandra explained how Metaphrog eventually came to the world’s attention when a New York publisher fell in love with their eye-catching, visually-compelling work.

Explaining why they both consider it important to make time for schools, John told pupils: “Our advice would be to practise, to work hard. If you enjoy something whether it’s playing football, playing a musical instrument, dancing or drawing then doing it doesn’t really feel like work – it’s a pleasure, and if you keep doing it you get better, you improve.

“Both of us grew up wanting to have an education for its own sake, not as a means to some other end but just to be educated.”

John also explained that, by visiting schools, he and Sandra actually get lots out of it themselves as artists.

“We were lucky enough as young people to read and to use libraries, and we feel that by visiting schools and sharing some of our own experience, we also learn from the pupils,” he said.

Reflecting on the session afterwards, John told Notre Dame Now: “Our afternoon in Notre Dame was very enjoyable. We were made most welcome and the workshop session was good fun. Thank you again for inviting us.’

 

 

 

 

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Magic Breakfast

By Beth McDonald

They say it’s the most important meal of the day and pupils at Notre Dame High School agree about the absolute brilliance of breakfast.

Pupils and staff can’t seem to get enough of the new scheme Magic Breakfast which provides a free breakfast for everyone before the school day starts. And it’s even solved the (seemingly impossible) challenge of getting pupils off their mobile phones!

‘Magic Breakfast’ offers a variety of delicious grub, such as bagels, cereal, fresh orange juice and many more nutritious foods. Breakfast prepares pupils for classes and skipping it can cause a lack of motivation and, most importantly, focus.

Although only in its early days “Magic Breakfast” has already had a huge positive impact for our school as now many more students have access to a breakfast who normally would skip breakfast. They are now loving the opportunity of meeting up with friends and enjoying time together.

And it is this bringing pupils together that is turning out to be the truly magical part. Many pupils are getting into school earlier to meet with their friends for a chat before its heads down and hard work for the rest of the day. ‘Magic Breakfast’ is helping to maintain strong friendships and increasing the overall happiness of pupils across all six years groups.

Depute Head Teacher Margaret McKernan spearheaded the initiative and explained: “It’s got really busy since we started two weeks ago. I think there are more pupils getting in on time who I know are often late. It’s a nice start to the day. You see everyone around, not on their phones, but actually engaging and chatting with their pals. I thinks there more interaction between groups of friends and shy pupils have been coming up with their friends after the first week.”

S5 pupil, Lucy McFarlane, 16, said: “I really enjoy it. There’s quite a lot of variety of breakfasts to have. I normally have Shreddies and an orange juice but then, on Pancake Tuesday, I mixed it up and had a pancake as well. It’s a great way for you to meet up with friends and have a good little laugh over breakfast. We don’t always get that time in our exam year to keep friendships going.”

Magic Breakfast is a charity that supplies breakfast items to school to stop teenagers going hungry during the day and rather than targeting certain types of people it is free to all to enjoy.

Rights Respecting School

By Travis Watson

 

The Rights Respecting School Award is an initiative run by UNICEF UK which encourages schools to place the UNCRC at the heart of its ethos and curriculum. A Rights Respecting School not only teaches about children’s rights; it also models rights and respect in all its relationships, whether between children or between children and adults. 

In the UK, there are nearly 4,800 schools that are involved in the Rights Respecting School Award, which ensures that all children are entitled to rights and know what is right and wrong, in that school. One of these schools is mine – Notre Dame High School in Greenock. 

Our school has rules to ensure that adults must respect our rights and vice versa, as well as kids should also be caring about each other. We all agree that we must respect everyone’s rights equally. 

We learn that we should not only respect the rights of our classmates but also the rights of the teachers too. We signed to agree that everyone’s rights will be respected, and we accept our responsibilities in School. 

I feel that Rights respecting School is very interesting because pupils can voice their opinion. I am grateful that I can speak my mind as I know that there are other parts of the world where children and adults don’t have these rights.  

Scottish Youth Parliament – Interview with MSYP Candidate Megan Alford

Scottish Youth Parliament Election Profile – Megan Alford

by Mhairi Moore

Megan Alford’s Economic Aspirations for young people.

Every two years, since 1999, thousands of students in Scotland put themselves forward in hopes to be selected to be representative of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Megan Alford, S4 student of Notre Dame High School is campaigning to get a seat to represent Inverclyde’s young people in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Currently, Megan is trying to take on the role in an attempt change the economic status for school children living in the area.

“I want to make a difference.” – Megan Alford, 2019.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is an organisation that enables young people from the ages of 14-25 to have their voice heard about the future of Scottish politics, and the opportunity to run their own campaign in anticipate of being elected. It creates a community of young people who strive to create a better future for Scotland’s youths.

 

When interviewed about the Scottish youth parliament, Megan said she enjoys participating because it gives young people an input on current issues, they are passionate about. She also mentions that it is great to meet other people involved with the campaign and learn views and opinions of other participants in the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Megan believes that minimum wage should be risen for pupils who are working the same number of hours as a working adult, she also thinks that pupils from 4th 5th and 6th year should have more opportunities to get more involved in their community. Megan believes she is a great candidate for Inverclyde as she is confident and open to new ideas that she is presented with.

Gaining by Giving up for Lent…

By Iona McKnight

Lent is finally here, and many people are giving up things like chocolate, crisps, biscuits or commonly with some pupils giving up on giving up. The three main things to do for lent are fasting, giving to charity and praying. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, the day when we receive ashes (that sort of feels like a little bit of a face mask experience) to remember that we are all mortal and one day will just be dust, which helps with the phrase of being our best in the time that we have. Until then, we make promises, sometimes people manage to keep them, sometimes they cannot. We interviewed two pupils who were interested in answering, one pupil commented that: “I’ve tried to eat less snacky foods such as crisps, chocolate…I’d like to think I’d last the whole forty days, but yeah it might not be that long” another pupil has said: “I’ve tried to give up chocolate, but I’ve not did that well… I’ll probably last a minute and a half; my goal is a minute in a half.” Both pupils were not very optimistic about how long they would be able to avoid giving into what they had been trying to avoid. Personally, I myself am not very good at keeping on top of the giving up, in the past, I tried to give up sweets, however, I slipped up once and ended up giving up all together. Or else I try to give up cake, then I would specify to chocolate cake, then big cake, then ultimately realise that, I already failed. Whatever your target is to avoid, good luck with avoiding the temptations that come along with Lent. Even when we don’t meet our goals we can still become better people.

Lessons From Auschwitz

By Josephine Chan

On the 30th October 2018 I went to Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of one of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s projects, known as ‘Lessons From Auschwitz’, which aims to educate every person from every background in the UK about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. In retrospect, before going on this trip I didn’t know what to expect because visiting a site of genocide wasn’t something I thought I’d get an opportunity to do. One of the key messages that was repeated to us was “We learn from history that we do not learn from history”, a quote from Georg Hegel, a German philosopher. To me, this is a simple but very powerful quote because it is open for personal interpretation of what it means and illustrates that we should never commit previous events such as the Holocaust because it will leave an everlasting impact.

At the seminar prior to the trip we had the opportunity to listen to the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, Eva Clarke, who was born in Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria on the 29th April 1945; Mauthausen was liberated on the 5th May. She told us that if the gas chambers hadn’t been blown up on April 28th and the Americans hadn’t liberated the camp days after she was born, both herself and her mother wouldn’t have survived. I think that we are very lucky to have an organisation such as the Holocaust Educational Trust, who bring in survivors who are willing to share their testimony because we are living in a time period where there are still survivors alive and the future generations won’t have that.

“We learn from history, that we do not learn from history”

Josephine Chan (S6)

When we arrived at Auschwitz, we had the opportunity to explore the blocks that used to house those imprisoned by the perpetrators and the most profound moment for me was when I saw the room where some of the hair that was shaven from the women were kept. As humans we identify so much with our hair and to have it stripped from us would be like robbing us of our identities. This shows that the perpetrators were metaphorically trying to remove those victimised from existence and this is harrowing because the victims were never given a choice. There was another room which housed the suitcases and items of clothing belonging to the victims, including shoe polish and sets of house keys and this was very upsetting because the victims genuinely thought that they would one day return home. One of the most impactful experiences for me was when we went to see the last remaining gas chamber in Auschwitz because although I knew it was real, it just felt really unfathomable because so many people had been murdered there thinking they were going to shower.

On reflection of this journey, I have learned so much more about the Holocaust and it really has been an eye-opening experience. A message that I took from the seminar after the trip was ‘never forget’, highlighting that although the reality of the Holocaust was horrifying, we should never forget what happened as it will act as a reminder of what should never happen again.

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If you would like to know more about Auscwitz-Birkenau or the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust please follow the link below.

Holocaust Educational Trust: Lessons From Auschwitz

Pulling Out the Punches

By Ava Hughes

Scotland’s First Minister took time out of her jam-packed schedule  yesterday to speak about how inspired she is by Notre Dame’s very own superstar Depute Head Boy.

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said:  “I have known Rhys for some time now and was pleased to join him on what was a very sobering visit to Auschwitz in November with pupils from across Scotland. The Holocaust must never be forgotten and visits like this one are vital in educating young people about what can happen if prejudice and racism become normalised in society.

“I was impressed by Rhys the very first time I met him and continue to be inspired by his example – he has overcome so many hurdles and his achievements, including becoming a Scottish boxing champion and campaigning for equality in sport, are testament to his determination and character.”

Rhys McCole, S6, was being filmed for BBC Breakfast about his success overcoming disability, his boxing accolades and his current drive to bring equality to sports. The footage filmed in school on Monday attracted much attention and many laughs. It was due aired on TV this Wednesday morning during BBC Breakfast.

Rhys applied to take part in the BBC’s Young Reporter competition and was selected from thousands of applicants as one of just 12 pupils across the UK to be filmed.

The crew captured footage of the local boxer in school and, on Monday evening, at Rhys’s boxing club in Greenock. On Wednesday, Rhys and his grandfather are being flown to BBC headquarters in Manchester to film additional footage.

Rhys McCole and the BBC at Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame’s news team, Notre Dame Now, will be reporting, as part of the BBC’s Young Reporter project all day Wednesday. Watch out on BBC News24 for our work!

During Monday’s filming in school, one of our cleaners was stunned to find herself doing an interview to camera for the BBC – on her first day back to work after a knee operation. Stunned Marion Thomson just happened to be passing the filming in the social area on Monday when she became part of the story herself.

Marion Thomson, from Greenock, explained: “I was looking forward to coming back to work as I was fed up and I missed all the students and staff. I was just passing by Rhys and the boys, and I said to Rhys ‘I knew you were going be famous!’ Like everybody in the school, I know Rhys. He’s a lovely, smiley boy and he’s credit to the school.”

Notre Dame’s very own superstar Depute Head Boy took to the social area yesterday afternoon and strutted his stuff in front of a BBC film crew.

Rhys McCole, S6, was being filmed for BBC Breakfast about his success overcoming disability, his boxing accolades and his current drive to bring equality to sports. The footage filmed in school on Monday attracted much attention and many laughs - it’s due to be aired on TV this Wednesday morning during BBC Breakfast.

Rhys applied to take part in the BBC’s Young Reporter competition and was selected from thousands of applicants as one of just 10 pupils across the UK to be filmed.

The crew captured footage of the local boxer in school and, on Monday evening, at Rhys’s boxing club in Greenock. On Wednesday, Rhys and his grandfather are being flown to BBC headquarters in Manchester to film additional footage.

Notre Dame’s news team, Notre Dame Now, will be reporting, as part of the BBC’s Young Reporter project all day Wednesday. Watch out on BBC News24 for our work!

During Monday’s filming in school, one of our cleaners was stunned to find herself doing an interview to camera for the BBC – on her first day back to work after a knee operation. Stunned Marion Thomson just happened to be passing the filming in the social area on Monday when she became part of the story herself.

Marion Thomson, from Greenock, explained: “I was looking forward to coming back to work as I was fed up and I missed all the students and staff. I was just passing by Rhys and the boys, and I said to Rhys ‘I knew you were going be famous!’ Like everybody in the school, I know Rhys. He’s a lovely, smiley boy and he’s credit to the school.”