We recently were involved in hosting a group of pupils from Pistoia in Italy. They spent some time with groups of our pupils, visited classes, had a disco and Ceilidh and had visits to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and New Lanark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A group of S4 pupils represented the school recently at the Love Life Conference in St. Bride’s Hall. This was also attended by a number of school from across the diocese.

The Schools 6K run for St Andrew’s Hospice took place in Strathclyde Park on Sunday 17th and was attended by staff and pupils. Some ran and some strolled round on a warm Sunday morning.  I was fairly pleased with my time but a bit gutted that Mr McQuillan beat me by about 15 seconds!

Our Senior Awards Ceremony took place on Tuesday 19th.  This was a great evening to celebrate the successes of the pupils over the last year.  We were delighted to be joined by Mrs Kathleen Sinclair who came back to give out the awards. It was lovely to hear the pupils talk of their experiences over the last year and the support they received.  At the ceremony, cheques were also presented as a result of fundraising that had taken place over the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a reminder that you can keep up to date with what is going on in the school by following Twitter: @OLHSMotherwell.  You will be able to find links to departments from here.

Forthcoming Events

• Monday 2nd October 6.30pm – Parent Council and PTA AGMs and meetings. All welcome.
• Friday 6th October – PTA Hairspray singalong in the School. Doors open 7pm Film starts 7.45pm. Tickets £5 at the door. BYOB. Please come along and support this event.
• Monday 9th October – S1 Retreats (1N1 & 1N2)
• Tuesday 10th October – S1 Retreats (1N3 & 1N4)
• Wednesday 11th October – School Photographs (S1/2)
• Thursday 12th October – School Photographs (S3 & S4 (pupils not on work experience) & family photos
• 16th – 20th October – October week. School closed
• 24th October – School Photographs (S5/6 & S4 (pupils not on work experience))

Following applications and interviews we are delighted that Erin Burt and Rebecca McQuaid have been appointed as School Captains.  Joining me on the interview panel were our chaplain Fr. Martin, Mr McHugh (DHT for 5/6) and Miss McGhee.  I was deeply impressed by the performance of all those interviewed on the day – being interviewed by a panel of 4 is not an easy task but each and every one were great!  Interviews for the House Captains will be taking place over the week.

We had our Information Evenings for Show My Homework for parents/carers of S1 and S2 pupils this week.  This is a great resource that is intended to support the whole process of issuing and recording homework. The bonus  is that parents can see at a glance the homework issued as well! I’m sure pupils love that!

A big part of Show My Homework is to use technology help engage parents.  I am also keen that we use technology to issue letters and communicate with parents via email and will be trying to ensure we have correct email addresses for parents/carers to get this started as soon as possible.

The last blog included the Twitter addresses for the school and a number of departments. This is a great way of seeing what is happening in departments and a chance to showcase some of the fantastic work our pupils are doing. Examples are seen below.

        

We were delighted that the Parent Council and the PTA attended our Parents’ Information Evenings this week.  Both these groups are a fantastic support to the school and I would encourage parents to get involved in these groups.  Please let the school know if you are interested and we will put you in touch with our Chairperson, Stephen Verrechia (Parent Council) or Louise Torrance (PTA).

Our PTA have been focusing on social events to raise funds for the school. One way of doing this is the 50:50 Club. For a donation of £10 you are entered into 5 draws throughout the year with 50% of the money brought in going out in prizes. Contact the school for more details. The more we people we get involved, the more money raised for the school and the more prize money given out!

Forthcoming Events

• Thursday 14th September – Italian Visitors Arrive on Pistoia Exchange visit
• Friday 15th September – Innocents Conference (group of S4 pupils)
• Sunday 17th September – St Andrew’s Hospice Walk
• Tuesday 19th September – Senior Awards Ceremony
• Friday 21st – Monday 24th September – September Weekend
• Monday 2nd October – Parent Council & PTA AGM
• Friday 6th October – PTA ‘Hairspray’ Singalong

 

It has been a very busy start to term and already pupils have settled well into their work for the year.

On Monday 28th August a number of pupils joined some staff at the Annual Vocations Mass at the Cathedral. This was a great occasion

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting our associated Primary schools – St. Bernadette’s, St. Brendan’s and Our Lady of Good Aid, Cathedral. It was great to meet the Head Teachers and other staff and pupils in the schools and look forward to working with them over the years.

        

There have been a number of extra-curricular activities that have already begun in the school and I would encourage all pupils to try and get involved.

• Irish Dancing – Monday 12.40 – 1.10pm
• S3-6 Netball – Monday 3.45 – 4.45pm
• S1/2 Netball – Tuesday 3.45 – 4.45pm
• Fitness Club – Tuesday 3.45 – 4.45pm
• Girls Football – Wednesday 3 – 4pm
• Dance Club – Wednesday 3 – 4pm
• Running Club – Wednesday 3 – 4pm
• Badminton – Thursday 3.45 – 4.45pm

• The Homework club – Wednesday and Friday at 12.45pm in room 224 in Science.
• Chess Club – Friday lunchtime
• Book Group –  Tuesday lunchtime in the Nurture Room. This is a great opportunity to read with your teachers, meet new friends and borrow exciting books.
• Higher Human Biology Supported study – Thursday lunchtime in Mrs McGoldrick’s classroom for all Higher Human Biology pupils who missed the beginning of the course in June or who require extra help. (This will only be available for a few weeks so please make use of it)

Band rehearsals started on Monday 4th September:

• Junior Band for S1-S3 Instrumentalists starts at 12.50 pm in the Theatre with Mrs Glover
• Senior Band for S3-S6 Instrumentalists starts at 3.45pm with Mr Woods in the Theatre.

The RE department have also been collecting names of S5/6 pupils and staff for the St Andrew’s Hospice 6K run/walk  that takes place in Strathclyde park on Sunday 17th September.

There have also been a number of staff approached me about organising trips and so far names have started being collected for:

• S1 Panto trip
• Modern Languages French Trip
• Real Madrid Trip 2018
• Senior School London Trip

Twitter

Across the school we are now trying to make more use of Twitter to let people see the good work that is going on in the school.  See below for further details of departments up and running so far and follow them to keep up to date.

Whole School:   Our Lady’s High@OLHSMotherwell

Modern Languages:      Modern Languages @OLHSModLangs

Technical:   OLHSTech @OLHSTechnical

Performing Arts:   OLHS Performing Arts @OLHSPerArts

Social Subjects:    OLHS Social Subjects @OLHSSocSubjects

English:   OLHS English @OLHSEnglish

Science:   OLHSScience @OLHSScience

RE:    OLHS RE Dept @OLHSRE

Library:   OLHS Library @OLHSLRC

Developing the Young Workforce:   Our Lady’s DYW @OLHSDYW

Forthcoming Events:

• Friday 8th September – Interviews for School Captains
• 11th September – S1 Show My Homework Information Evening
• 13th September – S2 Show My Homework Information Evening
• Thursday 14th September – Italian Visitors Arrive on Pistoia Exchange visit
• Friday 15th September – Innocents Conference (group of S4 pupils)
• Sunday 17th September – St Andrew’s Hospice Walk
• Tuesday 19th September – Senior Awards Ceremony
• Friday 21st – Monday 24th September – September Weekend