The Scottish FA Performance School of Football, established in only seven schools throughout Scotland including Braidhurst, is now looking towards selecting the second intake to start this August.   The initiative is primarily aimed at the development of future professional footballers and was started last August with twenty candidates from throughout North and south Lanarkshire.

The Scottish FA coach appointed to lead the programme is Gordon Craig and he has the task of developing the four year programme with the players based full time in the school.   Professional teams and other clubs will be advised of the series of trials which will take place in the school over the coming months.

The first cohort has thoroughly enjoyed the programme which is based upon skills development and they have all been fully integrated into the entire life of the school.   They receive football coaching each morning starting at 8.30 am until 10 am.   Sessions took place weekly prior to them starting in August and this allowed them to bond and become familiar with the demands of the programme.

During the Christmas period the seven elite performance coaches from throughout Scotland worked at Ravenscraig indoor facility to share ideas with the Braidhurst group selected as performers.

This year’s school show will be “Bugsy Malone”

For the most up-to-date info visit in the school show page under the Performing Arts dept

Braidhurst Breakfast club enjoyed a festive breakfast this week to celebrate the continued success of the club.   Over 90 young people attend on a weekly basis and benefit from not only enjoying a healthy breakfast but also the social support they receive from the many staff volunteers.   Linda McGurk, Partnership Officer said “I would like to thank all the staff volunteers for their continued support and wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas”.

Braidhurst High Art Department pupils have been busy painting their decorative panels for display at the Christmas Dance and the Braidhurst Christmas Cracker Concert.   These should give a very cheery look to the assembly halls during the festive season.

The hall was packed with approximately 300 pupils and staff for the recent Christmas Dance held in the school hall.   The Cairnhill Ceilidh Bank again provided the music and proved extremely popular with everyone taking part throughout the evening.   The Physical Education Department again showed what expert tuition they provide as the pupils and staff showed their skill dancing Gay Gordons, Military Two-Step, Virginia Reel, Highland Schottische, Veleta Waltz, The Orcadian Strip the Willow, St Bernard’s Waltz, Canadian Barn Dance, Braidy Tango, Square Tango, Brittannia Two-Step, Dashing White Sergeant and all that before the interval.   During the break a splendid buffet was served and line dancing took place.  After the break the dancing continued with the Military Two-Step, Flying Scotsman, Pride of Erin Waltz, Highland Schottische, Braidy Tango (Prize Dance), Square Tango, Strip the Willow, Gay Gordons (Prize Dance), Brittannia Two-Step, Dashing White Sergeant and ending with a St Bernard’s Waltz.   The behaviour throughout the evening was absolutely exemplary with all the staff thoroughly enjoying the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

One of Braidhurst’s 3rd year Art & Design pupils Gillian Scott has won the first prize in

the North Lanarkshire Road Safety Calendar Competition.

She was extremely pleased to have achieved this award out of over 1800 entries from
schools all over the authority. Her design will be seen on the calendar when it is delivered to schools.

Other pupils with awards were Nathan Adams with 2nd place in the age group and            Chantelle Nisbet with 3rd place in the age group.

Highly commended awards go to Derrick Boafour, Kiera Grant, Fatima Khan and Sara
McRae. In all, an excellent set of results from some very creative and hard working            pupils.

The pupils received their awards at a ceremony in the school, attended by North
Lanarkshire Council and school representatives

Pictured in the photograph from left are : Mr Hannan (Rector of Braidhurst High School), Mrs McKay ( Teacher of RME and Head of the charity Committee), Joanna Stevenson (representing Meningitis Trust) and myself, Oliver Meggitt, Presenting a cheque for seven hundred and fifty pounds to Meningitis Trust. (These were funds raised by the whole school as part of our annual sponsor fun run)

Over the past few weeks, I have been giving a presentation to all year groups and various staff members in pursuit of raising awareness of this lethal disease. Meningitis Trust is a charity very close to my heart because as a young child I was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia and I was very ill but I was lucky that I not only survived Meningitis, I still have all my major limbs.

Braidhurst High School’s support and my support to Meningitis Trust is just taking off, in partnership we aim to make a difference, to the lives of those affected by this dreadful disease and keep the memory alive of those who have unfortunately passed away.

Meningitis Trust offers help, support and advice to families and sufferers of meningitis. My aim is to not just help raise funds for the Trust to allow them to continue their vital work they do each day, but to help support other families who are going through tough times as their friend or family member battle with this infectious disease.

Written by

Oliver Meggitt