Braidhurst under 13’s boys go into the semi-finals of the Lanarkshire cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over John Ogilvie HS from Hamilton.   With Zafar Khan (2), Jordan Critchley and Luke Biggart all on the score sheet, Braidhurst are hoping they can keep up the good performances and make it to the final.

With the boys still in two cup competitions, a dream of a cup double is still on the horizon.   With either Our Lady’s HS (Cumbernauld) or Trinity HS to play in the Lanarkshire cup semi-final and Grange Academy to play in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, the boys are working hard to achieve their dream.

Jamie Buchanan was crowned last Monday as the new chess champion of Braidhurst High School 2014.   There were 32 pupils who battled it out in a knockout tournament to compete for the shield.   Jamie cruised through the four rounds to beat Gary Stokes in the final who was also a strong contender to win the title.

The last chess champion from Braidhurst was Kit Won in 1997.   Mr Clark hopes to have many chess champions in the years to come due to the club’s success as there are so many keen players.   Braidhurst is even looking to enter a few pupils into next year’s state championship.

Pupils from all year groups have enjoyed the strategic complexities of the game which offers challenge and stimulating exercise.   Played in a vibrant atmosphere at Monday lunch times, the game of chess has brought fun and competition to all.

Two Councillors Frank McNally and Paul Kelly accompanied by North Lanarkshire Infrastructure Development manager Ian Murdoch recently visited the school to view the various football programmes.   Having viewed the scheme in action they then held a meeting with the Rector Mr Derrick Hannan who outlined the range of programmes and distributed details for further study.

Higher History pupils visited Paisley Town Hall this week to attend a Student Revision Conference.   The intensive revision day helped students prepare for the upcoming SQA examination.   The workshops were presented by experience teachers and SQA examiners John Kerr and Simon Wood.   Pupils took part in workshops teaching essay writing skills for Paper 1 and source evaluation skills for Paper 2.   The visit was an excellent opportunity to work with pupils from other schools and helped pupils to gain confidence and experience in the study skills and examination techniques demanded in the final examination.

The Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council Mr Gavin Whitefield recently visited the school.   He was greeted by Rector Mr Derrick Hannan who put together a comprehensive programme to ensure he saw different aspects of the school.   He started with a look at the current second year Scottish FA Performance School of Football programme.   This included seeing a coaching session as well as meeting various players from throughout Lanarkshire.   Mr Whitefield then took the opportunity to see the fourth year School of Football group with coach Paul Burns and teacher Mr David Gardiner.   From there he held a discussion with Gordon Craig the SFA Performance Coach based in the school and Scott Leitch the Motherwell FC Academy Director.   Scott was able to outline the close working relationship with the school with the Motherwell FC Youth Academy being based within the school.   The Executive Director was given a conducted tour of the school meeting staff and pupils as well as holding meetings with several groups of pupils and staff.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “It was a great pleasure to showcase the fantastic work and facilities within Braidhurst to the Chief Executive.   The staff and pupils certainly thoroughly enjoyed having him visit their school”.

Braidhurst’s June production of The Wizard of Oz has a new star-Lexi the Yorkie. Lexi starred as Toto, Dorothy’s dog, in last year’s pantomime at Motherwell Civic Centre, and her owner, Hazel, is happy to encourage her theatrical career. The cast were delighted to meet Lexi and look forward to her stealing the show in June. Rehearsals are well under way, and it promises to be a lively and entertaining show. Look out for details of ticket sales for this special production which will run from 18^th -20^th June.

Trials for the Scottish FA Performance School of Football are well underway with the final trial scheduled for Monday 17 March.   Thereafter, parents will be contacted and the school will ensure links are established to include the successful applicants in all the planning to join Braidhurst.   Trials for the Scottish FA School of Football which is also based in the school will begin in May.   Pupils wishing to be considered must apply to the school by the Easter holidays to be included.   All primary schools have been contacted with details of the application procedures.   Any parent may also contact the Rector, Mr Hannan for further advice.