A group of dedicated students who attend St Aidan’s High took on the challenge of overcoming Tinto hill in order to raise money for APD charity, even though most of the climbers peers were participating in the St Andrews Hospice Fun Run, Sunday was the only day suitable for the dedicated students. One of the teachers who took part in the challenge Miss Kelly, “The trip was a fantastic experience, as we got to look at glacial features while also getting some exercise” She also commented that “ I loved that the trip also peoples first time climbing a hill” The weather on the day improved the situation as one of the students that day said “ It was dry and sunny until we reached the top where it was very windy” The group also enjoyed the event with the company of their family and friends, as commented on by Miss Kelly “We met quite a lot of participants due to pupils bringing their families along who worked a side to raise money for the supported charity
Month: October 2017
Peer Advocate Article
Every year, a group of senior students are involved in the S1 buddy support system. There are currently 12 buddies and 10 peer advocates who help the new pupils settle in high school.
The purpose of the buddies is to allow the S1 students to have guidance and someone to open up to whenever they may need it. The peer advocates are also there to assist and are gaining a Youth Achievement award for themselves in the process. All senior students will be trained in child protection to ensure they know the importance of confidentiality.
Within the school, there is currently a games club that invites S1 students along in order to get to know the peer advocates and buddies who are there to provide a helping hand through their first year at high school.
As well as this, the peer advocates get involved with the S1 students in improving their reading skills and ensure they progress in their literacy skills.
Rachael Gardner, an S6 peer advocate said “It’s good being a buddy for S1 pupils as we are young people who have been through this, we can relate to them.” And when asked if the S1 students were settling in she said “The majority of them are settling in well however some are struggling with the social aspect of high school and making new friends, we are here to help them and we are trained in child protection so know how to deal with it.
Scott Young, also an S6 peer advocate was pleased to be achieving a Youth Achievement Award as part of the peer advocate course, it “helps improve UCAS applications and looks great on CV’s”
By Lauryn Omeike
S1 Football Trials
Mr Craib interview S1 football trials final.
Was it difficult to pick the pupils that are through to the final stage of the trials?
“It is difficult because actually the pupils were of very high standards, there’s a lot of very good players so we actuall`y had a second trial to make sure we picked the right people for the final stages. Yeah, it was quite a difficult decision.
What will the competition be? Will there be a league?
“So they play in both a league and they also play in a cup. We’ve actually managed to get a buy in to the third round of the cup which is quite good. We will play against either Bishop Briggs or Larkhall for the third round of the cup. Yeah the league games, we will probably start off with a friendly against one of the local schools, then we will play against the others in the league.
Do you think any of the players will have a promising future in football?
“Well there’s a couple already that play pro youth we’ve got one who plays for Hamilton Accies so we’re keeping a wee eye on that, but yeah there’s some really good players in there with some really good potential. So we’re looking forward to see how that goes.
The Aquatic Adventure
Three intrepid students from St. Aidan’s High School battled the winds and waves while attending a sailing expedition off the West Coast of Scotland last week to learn new skills on sailing.
The three pupils learned a diverse set of skills, and gained the experience with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. Ocean Youth Trust Scotland are an award winning sail training voyage team, allowing young people the opportunity to build self-confidence and experience the importance of team work. The Ocean Youth Trust believes young people can realise their true potential through the experience of sail training.
One of the students who attended the trip, Scott Young said “We learned a lot of skills about sailing”. Although most people might be put off by a high cost, Scott said “It was £1,600 each, but it was generously funded by Cashback Communities”. As quoted on Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s website, the team empower young people to ‘Experience the need for teamwork and mutual respect’. Scott showed us the reality of this when he commented “We met some people from Clyde Valley High School and also made some new friends”.
As you would expect from open sea journeys, the young people experienced working in a variety of weather conditions, Scott mentioned “during the week was mostly sunny, although, some days were stormy”. As Scott saw lot of sunshine, another participant, Lewis Syme, Also a student who attends St Aidan’s High School said “The weather was cold, but it was a good laugh as someone fell over”. The Sea voyage team believe in giving young people an unforgettable journey, commented on by Scott as he said “yes, the trip was an amazing experience”. Lewis Syme was asked if he would recommend the trip to a friend, to which he replied “Yes, it was definitely worth while going to”.
Mrs Hyslop, Pupil Support Teacher, who initially obtained the opportunity for the participants said “The kit, if needed was provided by the Duke of Edinburgh Team so there was no cost to the young people and they all achieved an SVQ and an SQA Qualification.” She also stated that “They stopped at the isle of Buke one of the nights.” Overall the young people seemed to have an enjoyable experience and one they won’t forget.
Athlete Vivian Duruh
Third year pupil Vivian Duruh, of St Aidan’s High School, recently competed at the Scottish Nationals under 15 category, for the athletic shot put. Duruh successfully threw the 3 kilo shot an impressive 11.8 metres resulting in her placing first. Vivian has been involved in athletics from a young age. Vivian was introduced to the sport whilst a primary school pupil, she was recognised for her outstanding performance in athletics, excelling in shot put. The talented teen then began training 2 times a week at both the Ravenscraig and Wishaw Sport Centre, for an hour and a half to 2 hour sessions each time. Duruh also enjoys training in the comfort of her own back garden. She has also taken part in other competitions across the UK, such as in Grangemouth and Aberdeen, adding to her ever growing collection of medals and helping her continue to break records. With her family, friends and school communities continued support she hopes to be as successful as her idol, Olympian, Valerie Adams and one day place at the Olympics herself. Good luck Vivian!
Upcoming coach Catherine Watt
5th year student Catherine Watt is an upcoming coach for the St Aidan’s girl’s football team. Catherine’s love of football stems back to the age of 13 she was inspired by her mother’s previous involvement within primary football teams. Catherine’s commitment to the team is clear as she is developing her skills in hope of receiving the Scottish Football Association coaching badge. She trains a team of a dozen driven young women with a passion for the sport, in the high schools games hall.
Catherine believes that female football teams should receive more recognition for their talents and skills. Catherine claims “Female teams within the school don’t usually get much attention unlike male teams who have sponsorships and new kits handed to them… we had to raise money to buy new kits.” The young coach believes that “Mixed teams should be introduced as long as they are of the same ability.”
Catherine thinks women’s football should be of a higher profile as she points to her role model Gemma Fay, Scottish international goalkeeper, who is popular within the girl’s team. They have worked closely with another Scottish female footballer, Sarah Crilly. Sarah is an ex pupil of St Aidan’s and has went on to play for the Scottish Women’s Premier League and Celtic. Crilly has coached the girl’s team occasionally and is popular amongst the girls on the team.
Miss Donnelly, previously involved in the team, says she is “Delighted that girls wanted to form a team and that they have had lots of success and fun in the past.” She is extremely proud of the team and would like to thank all those involved, especially Mr Robert Nimmo who has been involved in the parent’s council for many years.
Visiting Vesuvius
The geography department are just back from Italy. On Sunday the 18th of June, 32 new 4th and 5th year students and 3 members of staff took a 2:30 flight to Naples airport to learn of volcanoes and costal features and enjoy the sun. Students visited the active super volcano Solfatara, with its boiling mud pools and gas vents. They climbed to and toured the summit of volcano Mt Vesuvius, where they learned of its activity and the areas disaster plan. They visited the ancient city of Pompeii and viewed the bodies preserved under the ash and viewed Mt Vesuvius from a much further distance. They took a hydrofoil boat to Capri, toured the island, its town, took in the coastal views of Naples and finished the trip off with a funicular rail trip to the top of the island. The students benefitted from this trip as they were visiting Volcanoes, enjoying costal features and the impacts of coastal towns on tourism and overcrowding, all things featured in the course they will study in the following year. It is also a part of the John Muir award. The trips leader Mrs Kennedy said: “The trip was an amazing experience for pupils and staff. The trip allowed pupils to visit an active volcano and active tectonic area and see the effects volcanoes have on people. Pupils also gained an excellent afternoon of coastal features and Italian culture.” The students returned home on Wednesday the 21st of June and thanks to Miss Kelly, Mr Bradly and especially Mrs Kennedy, the trip leader, for accompanying the students and making this incredible trip possible.
APD Interview
APD volunteers Shree and Catherine have been involved in many things since their arrival in Scotland such as visiting the transport museum, visiting Victoria Park and SCIAF to help raise the profile of the importance of APD India. They plan on taking knowledge back to India. After their meeting with SCIAF who have funded in the past have decided to send a proposal for funds to the EU. Shree told us “APD is a great team, we always try to help the people in rural communities” Katherine added “We try to build confidence in them, so they can lead an independent life. Even the disabled person can be an abled person.” She also said “ I am proud to work in APD to render my service to the disabled where I can motivate them to develop self-esteem.” Shree lost his leg In his younger years due to polio which is very common among young people in India. Polio is easily avoidable in the UK because we receive a vaccination at a very young age. Shree told us that “I work alongside the primary students to help them to become able. The APD have helped me overcome my disability and I am very grateful of them.” The visitors have enjoyed their time in Scotland. Shree told us that “I am enjoying every single second of Scotland, all the places we have visited have been so welcoming!” Katherine added “Scotland is the loveliest place, it is very beautiful. I am fascinated with all fashion and cooking classes that you provide for the children.” Katherine surprisingly enjoyed our weather here in Scotland she also added “Scotland has wonderful weather we get to see all four seasons in one day.”
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