As the new term begins at Braidhurst High School, the pupils from S2 are pictured with an array of electronic and robotics learning equipment. The pupils will over the next 10 weeks experience various electronic and robotics lessons. “I hope that after this short session they will have a basic understanding of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics)” comments Mr Hussain, who is running the course for the S2 and for the new S1 intake. Mr Hussain of the Science department further commented that the topics covered by the S1 and S2 electives will include Logic circuits, robotics and computer software / hardware architecture.

It is hoped that this exposure to STEM concepts will nurture creative advancement in robotics, electronics, and skills in teamwork, leadership, communications, and much more. By the end of S2 Mr Hussain is hoping to put together a new team of young enthusiastic students who will then go on to take part in the VEX Competitions, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REC). In the competitions teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams from around the world in a game-based engineering challenge. Tournaments are held year-round at the regional and national levels; local champions go on to compete against the best in the world at VEX Worlds each April.

Mr Hussain has a background in science and engineering, having worked as a commissioning engineer for some of the most well known companies around the world, such as NASA in the United States and Mitsubishi in Japan. Robotics runs in the family as his wife works for a Scottish company called Touch Bionics (www.touchbionics.com/ ) based in Livingston, “she’s the real expert in the family”, comments Mr Hussain. The company is a real success story that Scotland should be celebrating and has offices in many countries as well as fabrication facilities in the United Sates.

Welcome to our new S1 pupils who joined us on 17^th August.   As usual the standard of uniform was extremely high from all our pupils as we look forward to the session ahead.

On Friday 8th of July, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne attended the opening of Forgewood Community centre. We were delighted to be invited to display some of the work from the school. Logan Holbourne, Ellie Brady, Lauren Wright, Melissa Rodger,Holly Worton and Kieran and Ben McDougall gave up some of their own time during the school holidays to attend the event. they were introduced to Princess Anne and were involved in taking her on a tour of the new facilities. As a school we are extremely excited about this new addition in and for the community and look forward to working closely with those involved to create links for learning, life and work.

Lauren McKinstry of S6 was presented with the ‘Elizabeth Hughes Memorial Trophy for Endeavouring in Drama’ on Friday in honour of the late Elizabeth Hughes our Drama teacher who sadly passed away earlier this year.   This was presented to Lauren by Elizabeth’s partner Tracey who kindly donated the award to the school.

Lauren was delighted to be the recipient of the award and said “Receiving the Elizabeth Hughes Memorial Trophy for Endeavour in Drama has been the highlight of my school life so far.   Miss Hughes was a wonderful teacher and woman who always encouraged me to excel in Performing Arts.    I am so grateful and honoured to be the first person to receive this award and I will be forever thankful to Miss Hughes for everything she has done for me”.

This year’s show, Sunshine on Leith, was a huge success with both nights being completely sold out!   For the first time our feeder primaries were invited to perform alongside our own pupils.   Ladywell Primary School tweeted ‘What a fantastic show @ BraidhurstMusic, great acting and singing by a very talented cast.

S6 pupil Holly Worton (Jean) has been performing in our school shows since S1 and has recently been accepted to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for Drama and we wish her every success in the future.   We would like to also thank fellow S6 pupils Eryn Lawrie (Liz) and Jamie Leslie (Rab).   The whole cast were superb and have put in hours of work rehearsing, singing, dancing and embracing their Scottish dialect!   We even got our own vote of support from The Proclaimers themselves, “We send our very best wishes to all the cast and everyone at Braidhurst High who is involved in the performances of Sunshine on Leith.   We hope you all enjoy the experience, get something out of it and have great fun with the acting and performing the songs” Craig and Charlie Reid.

Thomson Trophy Final

Braidhurst Under 13s swept aside Cathkin High School in the final of the Thomson Trophy, beating their opponents 5-1. It was a terrific performance from the boys and they couldn’t have hoped for a better start – Babajide Adeeko opening the scoring with a powerful finish past the goalkeeper at his near post. Their lead didn’t last long however as a lapse in concentration from a throw in allowed Cathkin to equalise. As the game seemed to be heading to half-time level an outstanding 35-yard strike from John-Paul Newton put his side back in front. A great start to the second half from Cathkin saw them nearly equalise for the second time in the match but a fantastic save from Ryan Renwick would soon prove crucial. Braidhurst broke up the park at speed and a goalkeeping error allowed Cameron Williamson’s cross to end up in the back of the net. Substitute Jonathon Kelly added a fourth with a well taken goal before Cameron Stewart put the game beyond doubt with a terrific free-kick that flew into the top corner. Mr O’Toole and Mr Clarke were delighted that the boys won the trophy and hope for continued success next year!

The North Lanarkshire Gold championships took place at Dullatur golf club on Monday 6^th June.   Luke McBride, Marc Smith and Luke Biggart represented Braidhurst.   The pupils posted very good scores given the difficulty of Dullatur gold course.   Well done to the pupils who participated and represented Braidhurst.