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”.

The Braidhurst High Parent Teacher and Friends Association recently held a meeting during which arrangements were made for a variety of fund raising events to be held throughout the session.   Mr Hannan gave members an update on a range of school issues and Mrs Clarke covered the financial report.   Various bids for financial support were then agreed by the members.   The membership of the Parent Council was then confirmed with Mrs Judith Heard agreeing to be the chairperson.

Fun Run arrangements are well in hand for the annual fund raising event with the money being donated to charity.   The sum raised is used by the school each year to support local, national and international charities.   The event is planned to take place on Thursday 11^th September.