Second year pupils at Braidhurst High School were honoured to welcome Holocaust survivors Henry and Ingrid Wuga on Wednesday 12^th June 2013. They delivered a talk to 120 pupils who have been studying the Holocaust as part of the S2 Social Subjects course. Pupils had the fantastic opportunity to not only hear Henry and Ingrid’s testimony but to ask questions to further their own knowledge. Henry and Ingrid Wuga share an incredible story where against all odds they were able to escape the evil Nazi regime against German Jews at the outbreak of World War Two.

Henry was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1924. Following the events of Kristallnacht on the 9^th November 1938 when Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed by the Nazis, it became clear that there was a real danger for Jews in Germany. Henry’s parents made the decision to send him to the UK as part of the Kindertransport. This allowed 10,000 unaccompanied Jewish children to enter the UK to live with a sponsor family, however Henry’s parents were not allowed to join him. On 5^th May 1939, Henry arrived in Britain and travelled to Glasgow on the flying Scotsman, where he was fostered by a Jewish widow until he was evacuated to Perth alongside other Glaswegian children in 1940.

Henry shared his experience with the pupils of being arrested in 1940 for ‘corresponding with the enemy’ for writing to his mother in Germany via his uncles in Paris and Brussels. He was registered as a Dangerous Enemy Alien at the High Court in Edinburgh, and was subsequently sent to the Isle of Man, where he remained for 10 months until he was reclassified as a Friendly Enemy Alien and released. On his release, Henry returned to Glasgow where he once again worked in restaurants as a chef. It was here that he met Ingrid, a fellow refugee from Nazi Germany, who he went on to marry. In 1947, Henry’s mother, who had survived the war in hiding, joined them in Scotland, his father passed due to natural causes.

Ingrid shared a similar experience of Kindertransport. She was born in Dortmund in Germany in 1924 and escaped at the age of 15, just a few weeks before the outbreak of World War II. She was not given the opportunity to continue her education in the UK, and soon after arriving in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire, she took up a position of a nanny to a baby. Ingrid’s mother and father were fortunately able to follow her to the UK. However, Ingrid’s aunt and uncle chose to remain in Germany and did not survive the Nazi reign of terror. After a few months in England, Ingrid’s parents were offered jobs in West Kilbride, and the family moved to Scotland. As the war progressed, Enemy Aliens were no longer allowed to live on the coast as it was feared that they may send signals to the German Army. Ingrid relocated to Glasgow, where she worked in a dress shop, sewing collars on British Army uniforms. Henry and Ingrid continued to live in Glasgow, where they are involved with the work of a number of charities. This was recognised by the Queen in 1999 when Henry, a ski fanatic, was awarded the MBE for his charity work with the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA). The couple continue to tell their story across Scotland. Laura Ballantyne, History teacher commented, “It was a tremendous privilege to welcome Henry and Ingrid Wuga to our school. Their testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced. There is no better way to learn about the Holocaust than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Henry and Ingrid’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances. By studying the Holocaust we hope to impart the history of the event to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and to take forward the lessons taught by those who survived to make a positive difference in their own lives. From this pupils can learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead. We are very grateful to Henry and Ingrid for taking the time to visit us to share their story and to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit”.

The annual North Lanarkshire County sports championships were scheduled to take place over three days. Braidhurst got off to a great stat on the first day which was relay qualifiers and 1500m. Both S1 and S2 boys qualified for the finals and Christopher Duncan won a bronze medal in a very exciting 1500m race for S1 boys.

After having success at the relay day, the pupils looked to start where they left off on day one of the championships which began all the short course individual events and field events. David Thomson won a bronze medal in the S3 Triple Jump. As well as David winning his medal there were numerous other pupils who put in great performances to qualify for their finals on day 2.

As day 2 began, pupils who had qualified for the finals were very keen to put in the best possible performance to clinch more medals. The senior pupils also began their quest to win medals. The day was a great success with pupils performing excellently individually and as a team to win medals. Tom Leighton stood out in the S1 boys 200m and won gold by a comfortable margin. Joseph Farmer participated in what is one of the most gruelling events in athletics – the 400m. After a steady start, Joseph pushed through the field and began to catch those in front. As he approached the final 200m Joseph increased his speed and began to pass those and chase down first position. He was very close to taking gold but did achieve a very hard earned silver medal. Helena Montague secured the first senior girls medal when she won silver in javelin competition. Stephen Johnstone collected the first senior boys medal when he won silver medal in the senior boys triple jump. Every pupil who participated was a credit to themselves land the school. They worked very hard to qualify for the finals and win medals. Thank you to senior pupils Natasha Dalziel, Kayleigh Carr and Karis McQuoid for their help throughout the championships, they were a great help and support to staff and competitors throughout the championship.

Medal Winners

Christopher Duncan – Bronze medal in S1 triple jump and 1500m

David Thomson – Bronze medal in triple jump.

Helena Montague – Silver medal in senior girls javelin

Courtney North – Bronze medal in S3 shot putt

Christopher Hemmings – Bronze medal in senior boys shot putt

Joseph Farmer – Silver medal in S1 400m

Tom Leighton – Gold medal in S1 200m

Jake Hastie – Bronze medal in S2 200m

S1 Relay team Gold medal – Stephen Coupland, Joseph Farmer, Tom Leighton and Jack Simpson.

It was a case of third time unlucky for Braidhurst against Taylor in this cup final. On the two previous occasions the schools have met, Braidhurst came away with the spoils. However, this time, a more physical Taylor team came away as winners.

As the game wore on Braidhurst played a high temp game and pressed very high up the pitch but this resulted in a lot of space being created at the back. Taylor, counter attacking well, produced some lovely finishing and in spite of a see-saw match, the final score was a 5-3 win to Taylor High. At the referee’s final whistle, jubilant celebrations were sparked among the Taylor faithful.

Despite the threat of rain in the morning the sun shone after lunch to allow a fantastic afternoon of athletic to take place on the playing fields at Braidhurst. Pupils in all year groups competed in either the house event or the individual sports championship. Once again the athletic talent on display was excellent with some tremendous individual performances. A huge thank you must go to all staff who gave up their time to make the afternoon such a success.

Final Results:

School Sports Shield Winners – Lorne

Tug of War Winners – Rannoch

The results of the individual sports championship were:-

S1 Girls Tammy Smith & Christy Speirs

S1 Boy Jack Simpson

S2 Girl Kaitlin Reford

S2 Boy Dylan Falconer

S3 Girl Nicole Baird

S3 Boy Josh Payne

Busby Malone is on starting at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June. Tickets are £2 and £4 available from school. 01698 274999

Presentations were recently made by Rector Mr Hannan to Mr Mark Conboy and Ms Marie Clark who both get married to their prospective partners during the summer break and also to Mrs Leigh Ashraf who is leaving the school to move to Falkirk.

By Thomas Smart

The warm up was light and effective. We were waiting at the changing room door for the referee to allow us though. My stomach twisted, like everyone else. Luckily both teams had been here before. Apart from at Airdrie Stadium of course; it was Spartans in Edinburgh last year. An equally good park. It was a warm day last year, like today. Same surface, 3G, which really favours us. We train on it every day.

“Are you all ready?” The Ref was answered with a group of cheers. We were lined up led by the captain, Rico Quitongo. Craigmount vs. Braidhurst. For the second year in a row. What an honour. I was electrified and energized. It was such a massive event for all of us. We marched forward in two close but so very separate lines. Hopefully a 3-1 win or better could be in the near future! The crowd shouted and ranted. The ref counting the players fixed his watch and took out his whistle. Twisting stomachs again and… the whistle blew.

An easy start, we kept possession effortlessly with a few minor chances from us. After 5 or so minutes of play, Andrew McNulty plays the ball through to Dylan Falconer and Dylan strokes it, simply, past the keeper. Yes! 1-0! Fantastic! An early goal in a Scottish Cup final, what else could you want! We kept the ball and played the game easily. It’s the best strategy against a bigger team. With some pressure off thanks to that early goal the ball seems to move around the park fluently and with simplicity. The crowd are absolutely extraordinary! Suddenly Jordan Duncan, playing at right midfield, flies down the wing. He plays a good squared pass into Ryan Watt, Ryan turns and fakes onto his right foot and GOAL!!! 2-0! I feel elated! That’s a great goal! I can’t believe it. It’s just Braidhurst, Braidhurst, Braidhurst! A brilliant position to be in! Craigmount are getting nothing. They’ve had a few minor chances but nothing special. Over five minutes or so Craigmount get into the game pressurising us and making it a battle. Just before half time Dylan using his blistering pace to storm down the line he whips in a lovely cross for Ryan and WOO! What a header! A superb goal! The half finishes with us 3-0 up!

With sweat on our brows we jog in to the changing room. A cheerful tone in the changing room mixed in with a smell of B.O. told me we had done well! Everyone was clutching a bottle of water or juice. The wine gums were passed around and the coaches Mr Madill and Mr Brandon spoke.

“Look we are playing great (already I was happy) keep it up for the second half and we’ll have no problems,”

An expected bang on the door came next. The ref again. We were out swiftly and so were Craigmount. On the pitch again and ref starts us off. Craigmount really came at us hard! A quick start and an early corner. The ball was crossed in and the unmarked striker put it in for Craigmount. The pressure was on. The next 15 minutes seemed to be going Craigmount’s way until Dylan had a breakthrough on goal, slotting the ball past the keeper and into the net. GOAL. YES! 4-1! I feel great. From then on we spent most of the second half defending our lead until the centre half and captain, Rico hit a great shot into the bottom corner. That was it! It was won. Pressure off. There was no way back for Craigmount; they had been beaten. The last five minutes were a stroll! One, two, three – full time!!!

We had done what no other Scottish school team had ever done. We had won two Scottish Shield finals in a row. The atmosphere was phenomenal. The Shield and the medals were brought out and the two teams were lined out. The runners up were presented with their medals and then it was our turn. Captain at the end, we received our winners’ medals. For the second year in a row, Rico took the shield in his hand and encouraged by the crowd, he lifted the Scottish Cup Shield! To represent a school team is one thing, but to do it in such a manner is truly amazing!!!