Following recent interviews, House Captains have been selected for the session. In recognition of the increased return to fifth and sixth years it was decided to appoint five House Captains for each House. Atholl House captains will be Falaknaz Khan, Azhar Khan, Lisa Robertson, Calum Reford and Chloe Wishart. Lorne House will be represented by Abbie O’Shea, Shannon Duncanson, Samuel Biggart, Danielle McNamara and Liam Reid. In Morven House, Amy Kerr, Melissa McCaw, William Adam, Scott Cooper and Dayle Archibald have been selected, with Rannoch being represented by Jamie Buchanan, Ashley Storrier, Hayley Sloan, Helena Montague and Hannah Allan.

Councillor Michael Ross recently visited the school to present four young students with their Princess Diana Award certificate and badge. This was a tremendous achievement by the four young people, three of whom have just finished sixth year, with one returning to complete sixth year. The recipients were Gemma Park, David Kirk, Jacob Smith and Dayle Archibald. The Rector, Mr Derrick Hannan, said “The entire school join with me in warmly congratulating these young people in winning these prestigious awards. It is in recognition of the quite outstanding service they have made to the school community and beyond”.

Braidhurst High School hosted its annual Summer Transition Programme last week. A large group of young people took part in a wide range of curricular activities including science, art, PE, photography and special effects makeup. The Summer Programme helps ease the transition from primary to secondary and gives young people the opportunity to meet new friends, meet members of staff and find their way around the school building before the start of term. On the final day the group went to Blair Drummond Safari Park for fun with the sea lions, giraffes and lions.

Motherwell FC kindly invited the boys who last session won the Scottish Schools under-14 football shield to the home tie against Partick Thistle. The boys who were accompanied by parents and staff thoroughly enjoyed the entire occasion. They had their photograph taken on the pitch at half-time and walked around the park displaying the Scottish and Lanarkshire shields. The entire crowd gave them a rousing ovation much to their delight. The match programme also included a two page spread in honour of their achievement.

One of the school’s largest ever intakes started secondary school on 16 August with every single pupil in full school uniform. They all seemed really keen to start secondary following a quite extensive series of induction events spread throughout last session organised by Ms Ruth Anderson, Depute Head Teacher in charge of lower school. Senior pupils acted as guides to ensure that they found their way around the campus whilst various support staff worked with them in class to assist them in their learning. An assembly was held to make sure all administrative issues were understood and to encourage participation in the wider life of the school. At this early stage they seem in general to have adjusted well to life in Braidhurst. Parents and guardians certainly have supported the school policy of full school uniform.

New Staff also started the school in August with several appointments for additional staff likely in the weeks ahead. Included in the new staff are Mrs Susan Welsh in computing, Ms Claire Mullen in English, Ms Kirsty McNeill in music, Mr Alan Inch and Ms Lynne Barr in physical education, Mr Blair Cockburn in biology, Ms Kirsty Logan in geography as well as Mrs Catherine McKenna and Mrs Angela Sweeney as assistants in learning support.