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

The Braidhurst High concert will take place on Wednesday 19^th December starting at 7.30 pm.   Tickets priced £2 are available from the school.   The traditional varied programme always draws a full hall and staff and pupils are looking forward to the event.

Rector Mr Derrick Hannan and senior pupils presenting a cheque to Mr Gilchrist Cox  Treasurer of the Scottish Steelworkers Memorial Fund.

The start of the Lanarkshire Cup has arrived with an opening encounter against Calderhead HS.   Straight from the kick off, Braidhurst put a lot of pressure on their opponents.   The Braidy boys created several chances in the opening 10 minutes but after some great saves by the goal keeper and hitting the post the score remained 0-0.   They continued to push for the first goal while the opposition tried to get hold of the ball.   Ryan Lafferty opened the scoring in the 15^th minute to make it 1-0.   This spurred the Braidy boys on and with 20 minutes on the clock, James Miller scored his first goal of the evening to make the score 2-0.   The next few minutes saw Braidhurst score another 2 goals in quick succession with Lewis Gracie scoring in the 22^nd minute and Kyle Cunningham scoring in the 26^th minute.   On the stroke of half time James Miller stepped up and scored his second goal of the game to make the score 5-0.   The beginning of the second half saw a handful of changes including switching to a 3-4-3 to see how the Braidhurst boys would cope.   With only 5 minutes gone in the second half, Lewis Guy scored his first goal of the evening in the 40^th minute.   Marc Smith then hammered a shot from 25 yards, which flew past the goal keeper to make the score 7-0.   Braidhurst continued to press and created seceral more chances which were kept out by the goal keeper who made good saves.   The pressure proved to be too much and Lewis Guy scored his 2^nd of the night on the 53^rd minute.   After some great play, Braidhurst continued to reate chances and in the 56^th minute Aaron Black scored his first of the evening, this was followed closely by Kyle Cunningham’s second of the night on 66 minutes.   Aaron Black finished the fine performance by scoring his 2^nd and 3^rd in the last 10 minutes.   Well done to all the boys who played.

Man of the March:  Jack Denham and Aaron Black.

Pupils at Braidhurst High School along with Mrs McKay in the RME Department recently raised £50 for the charity Barnardo’s.   The charity provided the school with the bear to raffle off and the pupils and staff were offered the chance to purchase a numbered square for 50p.   The winning number was 76 and the winner was Mrs Allison (Principal Teacher of English) pictured holding the bear.   This is just one of the worthwhile causes supported by the Charity Committee.

This years Christmas concert will take place on Wednesday 19^th December starting at 7.30 pm in the school.   Tickets priced £2 are available from Ms Ruth Watson at the school.

As an Adistar ambassador, Braidhurst High pupil Connor Gray’s goal was to promote and live out the Olympic and Paralympic values as an inspirational figure for other young people as well as adults.  The values were determination, equality, inspiration, excellence, courage, respect and friendship.  Promoting these values allowed him to use them in his own performance and participation in sport.  In school Connor helped organise a rugby club for S1-3 which will begin this term, which will hopefully catch the eye of the lower school and grow as the year goes on.  There are a range of sports which Connor had to promote such as Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Trampolining, Fitness, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Boxing including every Olympic sport.

As an ambassador Connor was also involved in the Olympic torch relay.  He helped primary school spectators to have the best view as the torch went past.  It was a great day and an event he will remember for the rest fo his life.  Another Olympic events Connor attended were the France vs USA and Columbia vs North Korea women’s football matches at Hampden.  Being a part of the Olympics and having influenced young people to get involved has given Connor great experience and has been a wonderful opportunity for him.  Connor is honoured to have had this opportunity to get involved with sports and he hopes to get even more people participating and taking an interest in sport as the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow draws near.  He also hopes to become more involved with sports activities within schools and in the local communities.