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.

The Christmas Dance will be held on Monday 15 December starting at 7.30 pm with Cairnhill Ceilidh Band providing the music for what is always one of the highlights of the session.   Tickets priced £2 are available from Ms Elaine Logan.   Senior pupils will be provided with a buffet allowing the younger pupils to practise their skills at line dancing.