The Parent Teachers and Friends Association held a meeting last week and decided to donate £1000 to the senior prom, £400 to the trip to London and £500 to the trip to Germany.   The rector, Mr Derrick Hannan said, “On behalf of the school, I wish to sincerely thank the ladies of the PTFA for their work and generous donations”.   The group have made initial plans to hold a prize bingo evening on Thursday 20^th March in the school hall.

S3 Modern Studies pupils are currently studying Politics. Such was the enthusiasm shown for this subject that Modern Studies teacher Joanne Kerr arranged a mock election. Over the past few weeks pupils have been diligently working on their electoral campaigns, writing speeches, making posters, leaflets, rosettes and creating and recording party political broadcasts. S3 pupils took to the polls and decided that they backed the Conservative candidate, Maggie Baird. Maggie said ‘I’m proud of my team and the way that they supported me. I think that I’d give David Cameron a run for his money!’ As always Ms. Kerr has been delighted by the effort made by her pupils.

The school was delighted to recently learn that two fifth year pupils Scott burns and Jai Quitongo had been selected for the Scottish under 18 team for 2014. This followed a series of trials at regional and national levels. Both boys joined the school through the Scottish FA School of Football initiative whereby they received coaching for a period each day. Scott comes from Airdrie and is currently a defender playing with Motherwell FC under 17’s whilst Jai comes from Wishaw and is a forward playing with Hamilton Accies under 17’s. The boys were recently kitted out at Hampden to represent their country. The team will play a range of preparation games including games against Dundee United and Falkirk prior to playing Northern Ireland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and England. The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “Everyone at the school is delighted for Scott and Jai. They joined the school five years ago and have certainly benefitted from the daily football coaching sessions. Both boys are excellent players and have worked hard at their game. They are doing very well at their professional clubs and as they are only 16 years of age and getting into the Scotland under 18 team, their futures seems bright. As a school we have ensured their academic standards have been maintained whilst supporting their football development in parallel with their professional clubs. It has been an excellent example of partnership working with Motherwell and Hamilton FC with great support from their parents.

Scott Burns commented “I feel that the school has been very supportive to me in the years I have been here, both in football and in education. The school of football is one of the great features of the school, it has helped me develop to be the player I am just now. Without it I doubt I would be playing at as high of level of which I am just now. I would really encourage everybody to try to get in, boys or girls, if you enjoy football it is a great place to be”.

Jai Quitongo said “Braidhurst is a great school and I have loved getting football everyday. The coaching has been excellent and really helped get me to this standard. I am so proud to represent Scotland”.

Braidhurst High 3^rd year Art pupils viewed this year’s Portrait exhibition in the school foyer. The exhibition had been mounted by pupils in the upper school Art classes for the Christmas concert. The exhibition had been greeted with great excitement by visitors to the school and really showed off the talent and expertise of the Art students. All the pupils who saw the work on display were inspired by the skill and talent on show.

Parent Council members held a meeting last week to discuss a range of school issues including the move in August towards a 33 period week structure. The Rector Mr Hannan outlined various models and in particular the proposal now put to all parents and carers. Mr Hannan also took the opportunity to discuss the current and possible future management structures for the school.

Members of the Parents Teachers and Friends Association held a meeting during the first week of the new term to make arrangements for future fund raising activities. The meeting was well attended and was very positive. The rector, Mr Derrick Hannan, took the opportunity to thank members for their continued practical and financial support.

Braidhurst eased into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup with, what turned out to be, a comfortable victory over Portobello in Edinburgh. Under a dark and tempestuous sky, with swathes of rain rolling in over Arthur’s Seat, the game kicked off on a heavy, bobbly park in Duddingston.

Braidhurst made the better start and after three minutes were a goal up, thanks to the pace of Dylan Falconer down the right wing, whose cross was delivered into the net by the dynamic Ryan Watt. The visitors pushed on for a second goal to cement their lead. The uncertainty of the surface led the Braidhurst defence to panic and the resulting effort from the hosts scraped narrowly passed the post.

Braidhurst made the Edinburgh side pay for their poor finishing with Nick Mullen stooping to head home number 2 from a Johnny McCabe cross. Shortly before half time it was three thanks to a header from Falconer following a wicked, dipping corner from Jake Hastie. Further goals from Mullen, Quitongo, and Falconer (twice), for his hat trick, followed by a late consolation from Portobello made the final score 7-1.

The Motherwell lads now face either Largs or Bannerman at home for a place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup.