A group of talented S2 pupils were recently given the chance to participate in a nine-week creative writing project delivered by author Alex Nye in the school library. The eleven pupils were tasked with putting together a book pitch, including all aspects of short-story writing and designing a book cover, which they presented to a book editor via role play. On a weekly basis pupils examined what it means to be a writer and how to find their unique voice for telling stories. Pupils rose to this challenge with Alex repeatedly commenting on their inventiveness, creativity and modesty, and even giving them the nickname ‘the Writers of Motherwell’. At the end of the project Alex presented each pupil with a signed copy of her book ‘Darker Ends’ which they are all very eager to read. This project is yet another very positive example of how the school is raising pupil aspirations and enriching their experience of school and the surrounding world.
Category Archives: Languages and Literacy
GERMAN ASSISTANT FAREWELL
The Modern Languages Department would like to say “Auf Wiedersehen” to the German Exchange Teacher Marie, who returns to Germany at the end of this week. Marie has worked with S3-S6 pupils, and has assisted them in their study of the German language and culture. Marie’s support and hard work have been much appreciated. Marie intends to return to Scotland in the future, as she still has much of the country to see, and she assures us that she will visit the department again on her travels. Gute Reise und Viel Gluck!
YAY YA+ BOOK FESTIVAL
A group of 15 pupils from S1 attended the Yay YA+ Book Festival at Cumbernauld Theatre on Tuesday 12th March. Each pupil was selected due to their positive commitment to personal reading and their regular attendance and support of the school library.
After a warm welcome from the festival’s organiser, Kirkland Ciccone, pupils were given the opportunity to participate in short workshops delivered by a range of authors about their writing and inspiration. Authors in attendance included L.J McWhirter, Ross Murdoch, Philip Caveney, Moira McPartlin, and Ross Sayers.
Pupils were very excited to visit the bookshop and purchase a copy of their favourite book from the event which they later got signed by the author. After lunch they keynote presentations from Kirkland and Alex Nye took place in the theatre’s main auditorium and proved an excellent way to end a great event. The pupils returned to school inspired to continue their passion for reading for pleasure and were commended on their impeccable behaviour throughout the day.
MODERN LANGUAGES SUCCESS
A group of pupils from class 2M won a prestigious award last week. They performed in a short film in which they sang and danced to a French version of Mama Mia, written up by their French teacher Mrs Magowan. Instead of the usual words, they used common classroom problems in French and acted out the performance in the Drama Department with the help of Mrs. Magowan, and Drama teacher Mrs. Reilly. This was forwarded to the French Institute in Edinburgh and the pupils were delighted to learn that they had won second prize! This was a wonderful achievement, considering entries were invited from all over Scotland. The group is now considering a second French performance, as they enjoyed the experience so much!
BURNS CELEBRATIONS
First Years enjoyed a mini Burns’ Celebration in English. After listening to renditions of the poems ‘Tam O’Shanter’ and ‘To a Haggis’ they learned the ‘Selkirk Grace’ before tucking into some traditional Scottish shortbread and Irn Bru.
THE RIVERSIDE MUSEUM ‘SAILMAKER’ VISIT
S4 English pupils recently enjoyed a trip to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow where they participated in an interactive guided tour of the museum to improve their understanding of the Scottish play ‘Sailmaker’, by Alan Spence, which they are studying as part of their National 5 English course. During the tour, pupils discovered information about the rise and fall of Glasgow’s shipbuilding, and the different jobs involved in the industry. The museum’s location, facing the site of Govan’s shipyards, helped to further set the scene. The visit served to enrich their knowledge of the play and support them in the run up to their SQA exams.
GERMAN IMMERSION DAY
A group of pupils studying Higher German at Braidhurst High School recently travelled to Glasgow to take part in a German Immersion Day organised by the Goethe Institute. The group worked with students from other schools in the division and engaged in a number of purposeful as well as fun activities in the foreign language, including conversing with young German people to discover more about the culture and music of modern day Germany. Braidhurst pupils were assisted by their German Exchange Teacher, Miss Marie- Kristin Schmadel, who works with the pupils in the Higher class for part of the week. All pupils thoroughly enjoyed getting to know other young people out with their own school, as well as having the opportunity to practise their language skills and extend their knowledge of various aspects of Germany today.
