National 5 pupils proudly display their creative cakes which were designed and decorated by pupils themselves over the course of a day. Pupils picked a theme for their cakes and designed their cake based on this.

A selection of S3 pupils from Cardinal Newman High School had the fantastic opportunity of spending five days at the Outward Bound centre at Loch Eil. Along with three other schools: Bellshill Academy, Braidhurst High School and Chryston High School, seventeen of our third year pupils spent their time putting themselves through emotionally and physically challenging tasks, finishing the week stronger and more confident. Not only did pupils have the chance to push themselves to complete outdoor activities, such as an overnight camping expedition and mountain climbing in terrible weather, but they also grasped the opportunity to socialise with pupils from other schools. Having completed the week successfully, all pupils were presented with a John Muir and Skills for Life award. The experience proved to be an excellent way for pupils to better themselves and to believe that they can do anything with the support of others, an essential life skill which they can use in future.

S3 pupils participated in this year’s “Day of the Dead” fiesta on Friday 21st November. Day of the dead is a Mexican festival which is said to invite back the spirits of people who have died. It is a day spent celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away, featuring altars of food, candles and sugar skulls. S3 pupils spent the week leading up to the event studying the Day of the Dead in both Spanish, RE and Home Economics where they made their own sugar skulls to place on the altar for the celebration. The band “Rápido Mariachi” came to the school and performed in the corridors and lunch area. This type of band is said to play music in the cemetries of Mexico on Day of the Dead to ‘waken the spirits’. Benediction along with dancing and singing provided a real life opportunity for pupils to put their learning into reality and see first hand a typical Day of the Dead celebration. A hugh thank you to all staff and pupils for their help and participation.

S3 pupils studying the French Connect course this year have had an exciting opportunity to write and produce their own film! Pupils have been working in groups of four to write their very own storyboard based on a film about how being a European affects them. The groups have so far come up with fantastic ideas and produced outstanding storyboards. If any of the groups from Cardinal Newman High School are picked for the final, they win the opportunity to spend a day in Glasgow producing their film. The overall winner wins a trip to Brussels. Good luck to you all!

In line with the S1 Spanish curriculum on El Salvador, the Spanish department teamed up with Hospitality to make “tres leches cake”, a cake typical of El Salvador. Here are some pupils hard at work in Hospitality:

Staff and pupils participated in the annual St Andrew’s Hospice Fun Run in September. This event has been a long-standing tradition within the Cardinal Newman school community. So far, the school has raised over £2000. Thank you to all who contributed.