Staff at Braidhurst High school recently held a coffee morning in aid of McMillan nurses. Two sisters from the school, Kelly and Gemma Prentice handed over the cheque for £400 to one of North Lanarkshire’s McMillan representatives Angela McCormack. They are accompanied in the picture by Mr Hannan (Rector) and Mrs McKay (Chair of the school charity committee). The girls wished to represent the school by handing over the cheque in order to thank the McMillan nurses for the support they recently received  after their mum Roseanne Astrauskas was diagnosed with cancer on 24^th May 2012. She sadly passed away on 22^nd Jan 2013. She was looked after by family members and McMillan nurses, Roseanne’s main nurse was Jo Dunlop. The family stated that Jo supported them by offering them emotional support and ensuring if they needed someone to talk to then someone was available. The girls handed over a cheque for £400 this was a combination of £160 raised by the family at Roseanne’s service and £240 raised by through the staff coffee morning. The staff and pupils at Braidhurst believe that this is a worthwhile cause and the McMillan nurses provide an exceptional service to both cancer patients and their families and hope to continue to offer their support.

Motherwell Football Club recently signed yet another pupil from Braidhurst High School.   David Thomson who is currently in third year joined the Braidhurst High Scottish FA School of Football programme three years ago.   He is a goalkeeper and impressed during trials with Motherwell FC.   Rector Derrick Hannan said, “I am delighted that David has made such progress.   He is an outstanding goalkeeper and an excellent pupil.   I feel certain that he will develop into a top class player over the coming years”.

Parents of pupils in first year have been invited to meet with teaching staff on Tuesday 19^th March.   This will allow staff to update them on progress and set targets for future improvement.

The Braidhurst High PTFA has organised a prize bingo evening for Wednesday 20^th March starting at 7.30 pm.   Entry is free and tea and cakes as well as entertainment have been arranged for the interval.

Pupils from Braidhurst High School and nine other NLC secondary schools recently returned from an adventurous week at the Outward Bound Centre at Loch Eil, in the Highlands.   The pupils were able to take part in a number of outdoor pursuits during their week away including raft building, rock climbing and hill walking.   Each of the enjoyable activities allowed individual pupils to improve their self confidence and communication skills.   The pupils had a ‘wonderful time and were all able to successfully achieve the Outward Bound Trust’s Adventure and Challenge Award (SCQF level 5) in addition to the John Muir Discovery Award.

Charity Staff recently held a coffee morning with home baking provided by Mrs Elizabeth Neilson.   £150 was raised and this will be donated to Macmillan Nurses.

Braidhurst High was delighted to host the under 17 team from Northern Ireland last week when they played against the under 17 team from Motherwell FC.   In an exciting game watched by a good crowd the game ended up a 1-1 draw.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “It was fantastic to host such a match and watch such great skill on display from both sides.   The officials from Northern Ireland were really impressed with the entire set-up.   The school is a Scottish FA School of Football and also a Performance School of Football with around 40 young players joining us each year for football education during the day.   Motherwell FC Youth Academy is based in the school and use the facilities in the evening and weekends.   The staff from Northern Ireland viewed the model as one they would dearly love to copy.   They were splendid ambassadors for their country as were the youth players from Motherwell FC”.