Parents of pupils in upper school recently attended an information evening when they were updated on a wide range of issues by Mrs Kathryn Clarke, Senior Depute Head Teacher, Mr Tom Paterson Principal teacher of Mathematics and Rector Mr Derrick Hannan.

Parents of pupils in third year recently had the opportunity to meet with teaching staff to receive updates on progress.   The meeting was well attended and very positive.

Parents of pupils in fourth year have been invited to meet with teaching staff on Tuesday, 11^th November after school.

Mr William Hart from the North Lanarkshire Inclusion Support Service recently visited the school to find out more about how the Nurture Unit operates within the school.   After hearing an overview from the Rector, Mr Derrick Hannan, he visited the school Hub facility and heard from Mrs Jane Jeffrey and Mrs Liz Neilson who operate the highly successful facility.   Mr Hart really appreciated the visit and on hearing that he was in fact a former pupil of Braidhurst High, Mr Hannan was able to shock him by presenting him with a copy of his school record, having left in 1981.

Assemblies took place last week with school chaplains Mr Ramage, Rev Hughes and rev Pope leading for various year groups.   The school is very fortunate and appreciative of the inputs from the chaplains.

Yet another recent Motherwell FC pro-youth signing has decided to join the school to gain benefit from the Scottish FA Performance School of Football scheme.   Jack Brown recently signed for the club having previously played for Drumsaguard Boys Club.   Jack comes from Ruchazie in Glasgow and is a 12 year old central defender.   He first took an interest in football whilst in primary 5 at St Rose of Lima Primary School.   His father recognised how much Jack enjoyed the sport and looked for a team to allow him to develop further.   He joined Drumsaguard Boys Club and played for 3 years before being asked to trail for Motherwell where he quickly impressed.   Jack joined his local high school, St Andrews Secondary, but has now transferred to Braidhurst High under the Scottish FA scheme.   Jack said, “I enjoyed a few weeks training sessions and was lucky enough to be asked to play a match with Motherwell.   After the match, Head of Children at Motherwell, Paul Burns asked if I would like to sign a contract and I was delighted to accept.   I have really been enjoying my time at Motherwell and was then given the opportunity to come to Braidhurst High and continued my development through the Scottish FA scheme where we train each day.   Since moving to Braidhurst High, I have really enjoyed my new school”.   The Director of Youth at Motherwell FC said, “The club is delighted to have signed another talented young player.   He has a real physical presence, determination to succeed and is very skilful for a young defender.   The Scottish FA scheme based at the school, along with his Motherwell training in the evenings give Jack the opportunity to develop into a top player”.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan stated, “Jack has settled in really quickly and we received a glowing report from his former school.   I think the club has done really well to have signed this player”.

Set in the USA, Back To The 80’s tells the story of the senior class of William Ocean High in the 1980’s. 17-year-old Corey is madly in love with Tiffany Houston, one of the coolest girls in the school. However, she is too busy mooning over Michael Feldman, the hottest guy around. Michael and his friends are athletic and good-looking – the kind of guys that Corey and his two best friends dream of being. However, while they may not be the coolest guys in school, they are still one up on Fergal McFerrin, who believes the crazy notion that one day CD’s will replace cassette tapes…

The plot follows Class President Elections, the arrival of several new students, and the teachers’ own issues. Throw in a Star Wars dream sequence, high-energy dance routines, the obligatory 80’s party scene, as well as some of the most popular songs ever written.

Click here for more info and audition form

S4 National4/5 History pupils enjoyed a recent trip to Summerlee Heritage Centre, Coatbridge.   The visit offered an excellent opportunity to further their studies of Changing Life in Scotland during the Industrial Revolution.   The miner’s cottages offered an excellent insight into living conditions between the late nineteenth century until the 1980’s.   Pupils were delighted to observe first hand a coal fire, the wash house and of course the outdoor toilet!   Pupils particularly enjoyed the coal mine tour and gained respect and appreciation for this dangerous but essential industry.   The afternoon was spent experiencing a ride in a tram car, touring the Vulcan, Scotland’s first iron boat and exploring the museum’s impressive exhibition hall.  The pupils also had the opportunity to handle artefacts, dress up as a Victorian family and to play Victorian childhood games.   Everyone had a great day and agreed that Summerlee was definitely “Scotland’s Noisiest Museum”.