Fun run pupils and staff are looking forward to taking part in the annual fun run for charity to be held on Wednesday 3 September.   This normally raises several thousand pounds for the charity group of staff and pupils to distribute throughout the year to local, national and international good causes.

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 make up.   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.

A group of Braidhurst science pupils at the end of their second year were awarded certificates for successful completion of the ‘Heart Start’ program.   Their involvement was due to a trial interdisciplinary project focusing on heart health.   The IDL project involved the science, home economics and physical education departments with a grat deal of support from the schools nurture unit.   In addition to learning basic first aid, including CPR and the recovery position, pupils learned about heart structure, cooking for a healthy heart and how exercise can keep your heart healthy and strong.  All pupils agreed the project had been really worthwhile.   The school hopes to involve all second year pupils in the project during this academic year.

Certificates were recently issued to the former fourth year group of football players who studied for the Development in Practical Performance award.   This award is a Scottish Qualification Award validated by Borders College.   The course consists of practical and theoretical aspects of football and was awarded at level 5.   The pupils who are now in fifth year now progress to study for coaching badges and the referee award.

Braidhurst pupil, Tammy Smith, recently participated in the World Jump rope Championships in Florida, USA.   Tammy and her two team-mates were Scotland’s first ever competitors and between them, the team won a silver and three bronze medals.   The team also took part in a skills workshop which gave them some great insights, in preparation for next year’s world championships in Paris.   Tammy commented that it was a ‘great experience which has boosted my confidence.   Getting to visit Florida, meeting professional jumpers and witnessing their amazing techniques helped make it the opportunity of a lifetime.”  Everyone at Braidhurst is extremely proud of Tammy’s excellent achievements.

New staff, as always, joined the school at the start of term including Mr Alexander in English, Ms Currie and Mr McGee in mathematics, Mr O’Toole in computing, Mrs Falconer in science, Mr Clarke and Ms Young in PE and Ms Duncan in music.

School photographs were taken by a professional firm during the first week of term.   Pupils in first and third years had individual photographs taken with group photographs in fifth and sixth years.   Family group photographs were also taken in what proved to be a very busy day for the firm Instant Images.   Parents were delighted last year with the service provided and the school is confident that the quality will be equally impressive this year.