Parents of pupils in second year recently attended a meeting in the school regarding progress and subject choice.   Mrs Anne Macdonald, Depute Head in charge of third year, gave parents an overview of issues related to Curriculum for Excellence and also the procedures for selection of subjects for third year.   Mrs Vhairi Ainsworth, Principal Teacher of Pupil Support, outlined the ongoing work in social education regarding preparing the pupils for subject choice.   The parents then had the opportunity to speak with individual subject teaching staff regarding pupil progress.

Recently Motherwell Fc kindly accommodated 16 fourth year pupils who are part of the Scottish FA School of Football programme based in the school.   The pupils thoroughly enjoyed spending the entire week training each morning and learning about many other aspects of the running of a football club.   The programme was organised through Academy Director Scott Leitch, as part of the partnership between the school and club.   Ms Leeann Dempster the Chief Executive delivered a welcome and overview of the club and Alan Marshall covering safety and facilities.   Mickey Ellis spoke to the group about his work as chief groundsman whilst Diane Harvey dealt with commercial issues.   Ticketing was covered by Wendy McFarlane and Alison Wallace covering ‘Well Society’.   Community aspects were dealt with by Graeme McArthur including a coaching session and a very good session of yoga.   Alan Burrows covered media interviews with match analysis dealt with by Ross Clarkson whilst Ally Reilly covered web designing.  The final part of the very full programme was a stadium tour conducted by Christopher MacFarlane.   The coaching sessions each morning were taken by Scott Leitch and Jonatan Johansson, and the players took part with great enthusiasm.   There were many highlights for the boys, including having lunch with the players who were extremely friendly and encouraging towards the group.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “On behalf of the boys, I wish to express the schools thanks to Leeann and Scott and all the other staff who contributed towards what was an absolutely memorable week in their football programme.   The club’s Football Academy is based in Braidhurst High and this has certainly built up the strong relationship which has made this programme possible”.

In the 5^th round of the Scottish Cup, Braidhurst faced a daunting journey to Monifieth to play for a place in the quarter finals.   Monifieth were a very physical side with lots of tall players.   Braidhurst started very well, knocking the ball down but the pitch was unsuitable for passing the ball around.   Braidhurst spent most of the first 10 minutes in Monifieth’s half with several chances on goal but their keeper saved them.   Monifieth looked dangerous when they had the chance to counter.   On a counter attack they won a corner and scored a header after a well worked corner.   Braidhurst did not let their heads go down and kept piling on the pressure.   On the 20^th minute after good work by Jack Keary and Lewis Guy on the left hand side, Jack Simpson crossed the ball for Robbie Falconer to finish.   Braidhurst continued to press and keep on the pressure, but while Monifieth looked dangerous on the counter, some solid defending kept them at bay.

In the second half Braidhurst started well and were passing the ball round.   Jack Simpson burst through the defence but was tackled illegally in the box.   He scored the resulting penalty.   After this, Monifieth began to press and push up but spaces started to appear in midfield.  After some great work down the left hand side the ball was crossed in to the box.   Greg Miller collected the ball, turned and smashed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.   At this point Braidhurst looked very much in control and with the midfield partnership of Lewis Gamble and Reece Geddes functioning extremely well it was only a matter of time until more goals came.   On the 55^th minute Robbie Falconer made a great run down the right beating a couple of players and then smashed the ball over the keeper and into the net from outside the box.   The final goal came in the 62^nd minute at a corner.   Braidhurst had never looked like scoring from a corner but this one was different.   As the ball came in, Marc Smith jumped the highest to head the ball past the goal keeper to make it 5-1.   Well done to all the boys who played.   They played well in tough conditions.

Goal scorer(s)

Jack Simpson

Greg Miller

Marc Smith

Robbie Falconer (2)

Men of the match (Nominated by Mr Inch)

Tom Leighton

Reece Geddes

Parents of pupils currently in second year have been invited to meet with teaching staff on Tuesday 25^th February to discuss progress. The parents will also have the opportunity to meet with senior staff to outline the curriculum on offer in third year and procedures for subject selection.

Seven young players involved in the Scottish FA Performance groups based in Braidhurst High have been selected for the Scottish FA under 14’s trials. All the players are with professional clubs and joined the school through selection trials conducted by Scottish FA staff. The coach at the school is Gordon Craig who is absolutely delighted at the success shown by this group in being selected. Tyler Tobin is a defender and plays with Hamilton FC; Tom Leighton is a defender who plays with Motherwell FC; Aaron Black, Lewis Gamble and Jason McCrorie are all midfielders who play with Motherwell FC. Forwards included are Greg Miller of Motherwell FC and Kieran McGrath of Hibernian. These players receive around one and a half hours of individual coaching each day from a team of qualified coaches led by Gordon Craig. Mr Hannan said, “Everyone at the school is delighted at the success shown by this group of talented young players. We are currently working on the selection process for August with Gordon and the clubs”.

A planning meeting was recently held in the school to prepare for the next intake of pupils to the School of Football initiative. The scheme has been successfully running in Braidhurst High over the past six years and the meeting took place to plan for the next three year period. Government money from the Cashback Scheme allows twenty pupils each year to receive a football session each day delivered by a fully qualified SFA coach. The meeting was attended by Andy Gilchrist and Jimmy Bone from the SFA, Scott Leitch head of the Motherwell FC Youth Academy with the school represented by David Gardiner, Principal Teacher of Physical Education and the Rector Mr Derrick Hannan. Mr Hannan commented, “This scheme has been a fantastic success and we can confidently look forward to the selection process for the next intake. The coach is Paul Burns, Head of Children for Motherwell FC. He has been doing a first class job working in the school. If anyone wishes further information then they can contact me at the school”.

The first year group of pupils who joined the school last August through the Scottish FA Performance School of Football initiative, recently spent a day visiting English Premiership club Newcastle United. The coach for the group Gordon Craig, who has been in the game for over 20 years, made the connection through a friendship built up with former Scottish Internationalist Willie Donachie. The group travelled down to Newcastle by coach having set off early from the school and were met by former England Internationalist Peter Beardsley. He took the squad of players and coaches on a tour of the Newcastle United stadium prior to playing a game against a Newcastle United Youth Academy squad in their impressive indoor complex. The focus on the day was to see first-hand how a top Premiership club operates. The game itself resulted in the club extending an ongoing invitation to Braidhurst for future groups to have similar visits.

The coach Gordon Craig said, “This was a great learning curve for our young players not only to play against top opposition but to experience travelling as a squad and socialising away from the school environment. They were a real credit in the way they conducted themselves representing their school, club and the Scottish FA. It was a long day for the youngsters but these opportunities only come up occasionally and they grabbed the chance with both hands. Peter Beardsley commented on how impressed he was with the pupils’ confidence, charter and ability”.

The Rector Derrick Hannan said, “This was a really worthwhile day and excellent addition to our programme. Their discipline was a great credit to the excellent work done as part of the programme as well as that of their clubs. The combination of daily coaching at school and the work at club level is having a real impact”.