It was a golden start to the new school year at Braidhurst High School as the school’s Bee Team were proud to share their first honey harvest.   Pupils and staff tasted some of the raw honeycomb and were delighted at the organic honey’s light, floral flavour.   Project co-ordinator, Kirsty Logan, has already had to turn away pre-orders for jars, as the popularity of the produce spread.

It had been a rocky start for the school’s hive, with the terrible summer weather preventing the bees from foraging.   However, staff and pupils were delighted when Meik Molitor of Plan Bee Ltd visited the school last Wednesday and discovered a hive full of honey.   The school have been working closely with the award winning company to teach students about the importance of pollinating insects to our ecosystem and society.  As part of this incredible opportunity, some lucky pupils have spent the last year learning to manage their own hive.   The school has benefited immensely from this project.

Braidhurst launched this year’s extra curricular clubs and activities at a meeting for S1 pupils and their parents.   The well attended meeting gave Mrs Rooney an opportunity to speak to the parents for the first time.   She said “our pupils are the best reflection of the school and I am very impressed by the manners and behaviour of our young people”.   A number of pupils gave a presentation about the clubs they participate in:  Joe Farmer (badminton), Kieran McDougall (music), Leah McTavish and Jenna Young (French club), Scott Bell (North Lanarkshire Wind Band), Ben McDougall (Drums), Gillian Scott (Netball), and Eryn Lawrie (School Show).   All demonstrated the confidence and fun they had gained from taking part in these activities.   They were a real credit to the school.   At the end of the meeting pupils had the opportunity to look round some displays and sign up for this year’s clubs.

Mrs Rooney said “I am delighted that our staff are willing to give of their own time to provide opportunities for our young people.   She urged them to give it a try”.

Mrs Rooney, head teacher, was delighted to welcome the new first year to Braidhurst.   She said, “I am very impressed by the high standard of uniform shown by all pupils.  I am particularly pleased to see such a large first year group making a good first impression”.

Braidhurst High School hosted its annual Summer Transition Programme last week.   A large group of young people took part in a wide range of curricular activities including science, art, PE, photography, technical and healthy cooking.   The Summer Programme helps ease the transition from primary to secondary and gives young people the opportunity to meet new friends, meet members of staff and find their way around the school building before the start of term.   On the final day the group went to Blair Drummond Safari Park for fun with the sea lions, giraffes and lions.

A group of second year science pupils from Braidhurst High School received certificates this week to mark their successful completion of the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Start programme. The course was completed as part of an interdisciplinary learning project in conjunction with the schools home economics department and the hub. Pupils are now proficient in CPR, recovery position, dealing with suspected heart attacks, chocking and bleeding.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the course and appreciate how useful it may be in their lives.

Prizegiving will take place on the morning of Thursday 25 June starting at 10 am.   Parents of prizewinners have been invited.   The principal guests will be the wife of the retiring Rector Mrs Madeleine Hannan and the school chaplains Mr Ramage, Rev Derek Hughes and Rev Derek Pope.