Pupils studying Higher Drama visited the Tron Theatre before the October week to see a production of ‘The three Sisters’ adapted by John Bryne.   Pupils were very impressed with the standard of the production and were excited to see some famous faces on stage.   As part of the new Higher pupils have to see a live production and write about this in their final written exam.

The Tron Theatre also visited the school and carried out two workshops, one before and after the performance.   All pupils were delighted to meet the assistant director and to be involved with the workshop, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.   The Assistant Director and Drama Officer at the Tron both commented on how impressed they were with the pupils and how enthusiastic pupils were.

Elite performance players from Braidhurst S2/S3 took part in an elite training camp over the October break at the Ravenscraig regional football centre.   The dedication shown by these young athletes was more than commendable.   They train every day at school as part of the SFA performance programme and then again at night with their clubs.   The players worked with Gordon Craig, SFA Elite performance coach, John Kerr SFA and Hamilton Accies goalkeeping coach, Andy Smith NL Trust Motherwell FC head coach, Craig Mcleish Assistant Coach as well as NL Trust sports science support staff.

Gordon Craig explained, “The young players were put through their paces on and off the pitch with sessions covering Individual technique, game behaviours such as protecting the ball through good possession including speed of play, protecting and shielding mentality, moves to create space to a pressing mentality both individual and as a team then onto more themed sessions such as defensive organisation.   It was also an ideal opportunity for us to educate the players in a modern gym set up and thanks to the NL Trust the players were taken around the gym and shown useful exercises on and off the machines to help core work, power, speed and agility.

The time we had the facility also allowed us to spend some quality class room time with the players.   It is hoped we can expand this relationship with NL Trust and the Ravenscraig facility and staff to provide a series of these days throughout the year.

I feel this will also help encourage the young players and even their parents to have that mentality of utilising such facilities and expertise in their own time in a hope to give them the edge or for some parents to get them out there utilising gyms, classes and facilities helping send a positive supportive message to the players”.

Parents of pupils in the new first year attended a meeting last week to hear more about clubs in general and the schools status as a Sports Comprehensive and how this can have a positive impact upon the pupils.   The Principal Teacher of Physical Education, Mr David Gardiner, delivered an excellent presentation using multi-media where he outlined the current delivery within the Sports Comprehensive.   The Rector, Mr Derrick Hannan encouraged parents in attendance to maintain strong links with the school and encourage their children to take full advantage of the tremendous range of clubs available.   The rest of the evening was then devoted to pupils and parents finding out more about the various clubs.

House Captains have been appointed following recent interviews with Atholl House being represented by Lisa Robertson, Falaknaz Khan, Emma Hart and Kirsten Cameron.   In Lorne House, Ewan Lees, Jack Clarke, Holly Worton and Gemma Crawford will serve, whilst Mark McCrae, Amy Anderson, Melissa McCaw, Laura Anderson and Amie Weir represent Morven House.   Rannoch House representatives for the session are Ashley Storrier, Hannah Allan, David Campbell and Katlego Mari.   The staff who conducted the interviews were extremely impressed by the standard of performances during the process.   As well as representing their House, these pupils will help arrange the extensive range of inter-house events and form the Senior Pupil Council, meeting with the Senior Depute Mrs Kathryn Clarke.

Two girls who joined Braidhurst High through the Scottish FA Performance school of football initiative recently received the news that they have been called into the Scottish girls under 15 final selection for forthcoming international games.   Jemma Marriott who is in second year and Sara McWhirter who is in third year receive daily coaching sessions from Scottish FA coach Gordo Craig through the initiative based in Braidhurst.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “Everyone is absolutely delighted for the girls and this is well deserved recognition.   The Scottish FA initiative mainly attracts boys but these two girls have shown how far they have developed through being part of the scheme.   They are both very skilful and competitive and fully deserve this recognition”.

Around fifty senior pupils recently attended the Higher Education exhibition in Airdrie arranged by Skill Development Scotland.   This offered them the opportunity to gain information on a wide range of university courses and help select appropriate university visits.

Clubs have now started with a tremendous range of opportunities being made available at lunchtimes as well as after school.   Available each Monday are meditation for beginners, netball, sax ensemble, chess, art and badminton.   On Tuesdays, senior SU, breakfast club, choir and badminton are available with computer games, running, French club, breakfast club, lunch club, drama, netball shooting, art, table tennis and dance each Wednesday.   Clubs available on Thursdays include meditation, film club, breakfast club, robotics, wind band, dynamic youth award, bee team and basketball.   On a Friday, pupils can access lunch club, badminton, girls club and samba band.   A meeting for parents of pupils in first year was recently held to outline the range of extra-curricular opportunities available and to encourage pupil participation.   The Rector Mr Hannan said, “I am absolutely delighted at the range of clubs available and would encourage pupils to take part so that they gain a rounded education”.