Examinations have recently taken place for pupils in second year.   The content covered work completed throughout first and second years and results will advise pupils on the courses to undertake in third year.   Pupils in upper school are undertaking examinations at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.   External invigilators have been supervising all the examinations.

Pupils and staff from Braidhurst High recently assisted at the Airdrie, Coatbridge and District Boys’ Brigade swimming gala held at the Sir Matt Busby centre in Bellshill.   Approximately 200 boys of primary and secondary age took part in what was a well organised gala.   The staff and pupils acted as timekeepers as well as starter and judge.   The pupils and staff had to work really hard for over two hours as the various age groups completed their races.   The convener of the gala was the rector of Braidhurst High, Mr Hannan and he publically thanked and congratulated the helpers for their tremendous contribution.

Last week (Jan 5th – Jan9th) a group of 12 S3 pupils from Braidhurst High School attended the Outward Bound Centre at Loch Eil in the Highlands.   The pupils battled against torrential rain and gusts of 60 mph wind to take part in a variety of outdoor adventure activities including canoeing, orienteering, rock climbing in Glen Nevis and diving into the icy waters of Loch Eil as part of the dreaded ‘Jog and Dip’.

The week was an unqualified success with a number of students being given special invitations back to the centre for an extended three-week course in the summer.   All pupils passed the course with flying colours and had a great time working to support each other to overcome tasks.   Staff at the centre commented on how the self-esteem of the individuals grew with each passing task and what a credit the pupils were to both themselves and the school.

Pupil Thomas Baird said, “All the activities were new to me but I enjoyed it all.   It was a good experience; I would go back today if I could.   I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try new things”.

Two more groups of pupils from Braidhurst will be attending the centre in January, hoping to build on the great work of their peers.

Braidhurst High School’s Christmas card for 2014 has been produced.   Pupils from the Art & Design/RME Faculty have produced illustrations for the card and the following pupils have had their drawings selected for inclusion.

Lisa Robertson in S6 and Zoe Oliphant S3, have had their work showcased on the outside of the card.   In the inside spread are the drawings of David Marshall S2 and Olivia Hawthorne S1.   Pupils are to be congratulated on the quality of their work, which really enhances the card for this year.   They will receive prizes and a selection of Art & Design materials for their excellent artwork.

A group of pupils studying Higher German visited the Goethe Institute in Glasgow recently to take part in a German Immersion Day. They worked in groups led by Mrs Lilo Borgmann, Head of the Goethe Institute, and a team of German assistants, and they were able to engage in a number of activities in the foreign language. The group broadened their knowledge of topical issues in Germany through learning about German music, culture, sport and food and drink, and they strengthened their competency in the language by listening to native speakers and by conversing in German on a number of different themes.

All pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience and, as well as improving their German, they were able to make new friends and familiarise themselves with the vast array of resources available to students in the Goethe Institute.

Senior pupils and parents recently attended a meeting with teaching staff to receive updates on academic progress in National and Higher grade courses.   The meeting was well attended and allowed targets to be agreed prior to preliminary examinations later in the session.

Braidhurst High senior management team last week welcomed Executive Director of Learning and Leisure Mr Andrew Sutherland and Leisure Mr Andrew Sutherland and colleagues to the school for the annual performance visit.   The management team tabled a very comprehensive and positive update on a range of aspects of the school including SQA results, attendance, exclusions and leaver destinations.