Dragon’s Lair Enterprise Challenge

On Tuesday 25 September 6 pupils from the Business Education and IT Department:- Maria Ross, Erin O’Brien, Lucy McNee, Emily Harper, Erin McLellan and Sarah McVey were chosen to represent Our Lady’s in the annual NLC Dragon’s Lair Enterprise Challenge.

The day involved listening to inspirational presentations by entrepreneurs as well as past winners, the pupils were then given the opportunity to gain some expert advice from Business Gateway while working on their Business Plans. The pupils will be working hard during the next two weeks with the hope of reaching the grand final.

Fire Up Scotland Event

120 S4 pupils participated in the Fire Up Scotland Event which took place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, along with 12,000 Scottish pupils.

Fire up Scotland was the biggest event of inspiration to be held in Scotland for over 50 years and consisted of inspirational role models, challenging our young people to be the best they can be while proving there is truly no wrong path to a positive destination.  Presenters, speakers and performers from across the world of education, business, entertainment, art, sport and culture gathered, all rolled up into a giant fireball of energy creating one enormous, interactive, fully immersive learning experience never to be forgotten.

Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were a credit to the school throughout.

European Day of Languages

To mark European Day of Languages 2018, pupils have been involved in a broad range of activities within the department. S1 pupils were creative and produced their European passports. S2 pupils worked together on a quiz testing and expanding their knowledge on Europe! Senior pupils developed their listening skills and cultural understanding and were treated to a foreign film afternoon! In addition, throughout the week, all pupils studied and analysed a wide array of jobs that require a language and have looked at the importance of modern languages in the work place.

On Wednesday 26th of September our S3 pupils took part in a Modern Languages Careers Event. We welcomed to the school visitors from HSBC, Tesco, SCILT, Aberlour Children’s Charity and TBR Global. Each company presented their business to pupils and explained how languages fit into their companies and the importance of language learning for the 21st century workplace. Pupils then had the opportunity to visit each company and ask questions to obtain more information on the companies; the languages they use; the skills required for that particular industry etc. The feedback from pupils was very positive with many pupils realising the importance of having a language to increase employability chances. Our visitors were extremely impressed with our young people and have offered to return to deliver further workshops in the future!

Maths Week Scotland 2018

Our pupils and staff were celebrating all things mathematical as part of this national initiative. This included:

Higher Maths Inter-Authority Student Conference

The Maths department were delighted to plan and host this event which included students and staff representing 6 local authorities: St Thomas Aquinas Secondary (Glasgow), Turnbull High (East Dunbartonshire), St Peter the Apostle High (West Dunbartonshire), St Benedict’s High (Renfrewshire), St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High (South Lanarkshire). This event enabled students and staff to share their experiences of their mathematical journey so far – the challenges and support as well as sharing top tips for success.

We were also joined by Craig Spence from Skills Development Scotland, who gave an inspiring presentation on the diverse range of career pathways beyond school for our young mathematicians.

Students then participated in a workshop, delivered by University of Strathclyde post-graduate student, Jon Devlin, on the use of Mathematics in the control of infectious diseases.

Our guests left with a Maths goody bag, which included Maths Week cupcakes specially designed and made by our own Mrs Varty.

Senior Students at St Joseph’s Primary

A group of our S6 pupils were delighted to be invited by University of Strathclyde to work with their post-graduate student to deliver workshops with pupils at St Joseph’s Primary School.

Feast Day Mass

2018 marks not only the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Catholic state funded schools in Scotland, but also the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Our Lady’s High School.

We were delighted to welcome His Grace Archbishop Tartaglia to the school on Friday 7th September as the Principal Celebrant of our Feast Day Mass in honour of Our Lady. His Grace was joined by local clergy Fr John Campbell and Fr Kenny Campbell and Deacon Kenny McGeachie from Sacred Heart, together with a number of priests who had an association with the school.

We were delighted to welcome Mgr Peter Smith, Mgr David Wallace, Fr Stephen Reilly and Fr Liam O’ Connor who are all former pupils of the school. We also welcomed back former chaplains Fr Neil Donnachie and Fr John McGuire, who was our first Chaplain.

From North Lanarkshire we were delighted to welcome Derek Brown, Head of Education (North), together with a number of Head Teachers from local primary and secondary schools, and several of our local councillors. Former Head Teachers Dan Sweeney, Michael McGrath and Michael Currie also joined us, as did Barbara Couper from SCES and Natalie Finnigan from the Archdiocese of Glasgow.

Our Mass was a beautiful and fitting celebration of our 50th Anniversary and we look forward to continuing to mark this over the coming year.

Celebrating 50 Years

On August 22nd 1968, Mr Peter Craigen, the school’s first Rector, recorded the following in the Head Teacher’s Log :

“The school opened today for the first time under exceptionally difficult circumstances with lack of available accommodation, lack of furniture and indeed we shall be fortunate if the complete accomodation is in use by December. Despite the difficulties pupils and staff were in good heart and prepared to make light of the difficulties”. Clearly it was not plain sailing back in 1968 !

In January 1969 the school reopened after the Christmas holidays “despite inclement weather – snow and frost” …. some things never change !

Our school was formally opened on Thursday 22nd May 1969 by the Archbishop of Glasgow, with Mr Robert Kennedy, Convenor of Education, presiding. Others on the presentation platform were the County Convenor, Mr Scott, Dame Jean Roberts, Provost Murray, Director of Education Mr Cameron, Chief District Inspector Mr Morrison and the architect, Mr J Coia.

Since our opening in 1968, Our Lady’s High School has served the children and families of Cumbernauld, growing as the town has grown itself. We look forward to the next 50 years being as enjoyable and successful as the first 50.

Parent Council AGM

Our Lady’s High School Parent Council will hold their AGM on Monday 17th September at 7pm in the school library. Each school has a Parent Council in accordance with the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006. Its objectives are to:

• Promote partnership between the school, its pupils, all parents and the Catholic Church, to ensure all pupils develop their full potential in the service of God and others
• To work in partnership with the school to create a welcoming school, which is inclusive for all parents/carers
• To promote partnership between the school, its pupils and all parents/carers
• To develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils
• To identify and represent the views of parents/carers on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils

In practice, the Parent Council organise various fundraising events, provide parental views on pertinent matters and support the Head Teacher to take the school forward.

There are presently a number of vacancies on our Parent Council. Parents/guardians of pupils at the school are automatically members of the Parent Forum, and therefoe entitled to put themselves forward for membership of the Parent Council.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Parent Council, please notify the school on:

enquiries@ourladys.n-lanark.sch.uk

Please note that if the number of interested parents exceeds the number of places available then members will be decided by the drawing of lots.

ROAD SAFETY – S M A R T PARKER

Chilly weather on the way? Darker mornings and afternoons? Thinking of taking the car to or from school? Safety Means Always Recognising The dangers!

If you are taking the car to school, please be a S M A R T PARKER!

If you have to drive your child to and/or from school, make sure that you park legally, safely and responsibly and well away from the main entrance. Please always consider all other road users, especially children who are walking or cycling to and from school.  Always look out for them.

Road To Succeed Survey

During the month of September, North Lanarkshire’s ‘Read to Succeed’ programme will be taking place throughout schools within the local authority. North Lanarkshire Secondary School librarians, have planned a series of author events for S1 pupils as part of their transition to high school.
We are seeking the views of parents and carers and it would be greatly appreciated if you could take a moment of your time to complete our survey.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ReadToSucceed/

Maths Week

OLHS will be celebrating Maths Week Scotland 2018 from 10 -16 September with various activities throughout the week. We are inviting local businesses to participate by displaying a poster containing a maths problem and then tweeting or emailing a photograph to us.

Pupils will be looking out for as many posters as possible around our local community. To obtain a poster or for further information please contact the school or email enquiries@ourladys.n-lanark.sch.uk