Captains and prefects from Braidhurst High school once again battled the wind and rain to deliver our annual food parcels to the elderly and the needy within the local area. This year the collection of food items tied in with our ‘Dress Down Day’. Pupils were asked to donate £1 in aid of St Andrews hospice and bring a food item. The response was overwhelming and resulted in over 600 food items being collected.  All 30 residents in the sheltered housing complex at Baillie Court received a box of groceries. Eight local families also received Christmas boxes.  This was once again a successful event which people in our school community appreciate greatly.  Staff and pupils feel this is a worthwhile cause and gain a real sense of satisfaction. Pupils taking part gain valuable life skills such as empathy and initiatives such as these help the pupils to develop a real sense of community within the Forgewood area.

After the success of the school’s Parents’ Group Psychic Night fundraiser, where over £800 was raised, a member of the Parents’ Group agreed to donate £650 to the school’s prom committee.   This donation will help to cover the costs of the Senior prom at Dalziel Park, including entertainment and transport for pupils.   To mark the occasion, Braidhurst Parents’ Group Chairperson, Claire Wright, came into school to present members of the Prom committee with the greatly appreciated cheque.

Once again the school’s talented musicians did themselves and Braidhurst proud at the North Lanarkshire School’s Christmas Concert which took place at Motherwell concert Hall on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 December.   Sixteen pupils from S1 to S6 performed in a variety of musical groups including the chorus, jazz band, pipe band and orchestras.   A huge well done to all pupils who participated.

Congratulations to S2 pupil Callum Bickett who took to the streets of Glasgow with his brothers on Sunday to take part in the annual Santa Dash.

This year’s event saw 7500 runners make their way along the 5km route which started and finished in George Square.

Callum and friends were running in aid of Strathcarron Hospice and have so far raised around £600 – well done!

On Monday the 28^th of November Higher Modern Studies, History and Geography pupils had the opportunity to meet with their MSP, Clare Adamson.  All pupils approached the opportunity enthusiastically, relishing the chance to ask thought provoking and challenging questions.  Mrs Adamson was engaging, taking the time to listen to and answer the questions of pupils.  Lauren McKinstry, S6, said; “It was really interesting having the opportunity to ask an MSP the questions young people want to know, and finding out the roles they have and their different views on the local area.”  Linzi McFarlane, S6, also said; “I enjoyed the visit from our local MSP.  I found it very helpful because it gave me the opportunity to get information about the issues that I feel are important.  As always all pupils were a credit to Braidhurst High School.

The Braidhurst Parents’ Group hosted a successful Psychic Night fundraiser at Motherwell Football Club’s Centenary Suite last Thursday evening.   The event was attended by over 100 guests and included a session from a medium, refreshments and an excellent raffle.   Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and most importantly the group raised over £800 for vital school funds.

A group of S4 pupils, who are part of the Achieve course, decided to organise events to raise money for charity.  The first of these events was a Staff Vs Pupils football match.  The event was held at lunchtime, with pupils paying £1 to witness the spectacle.  This turned out to be a great success with £84 being raised.  This will be split between St. Andrew’s Hospice and the Les Hoey Dream Maker Foundation.  Well done to all involved.  The pupils hope to follow this up in the future with a charity quiz event.