Welcome to the latest update of the HT blog.  It’s been a busy time with lots continuing to happen in the school. It is a real privilege for me to be HT of this school, where I regularly see such a commitment from staff and pupils alike, both in and out of class.

Bannockburn

Recently we had around 60 of our S2 pupils out on a trip to Bannockburn. They had a great time exploring the battlefields, trying on different pieces of armour and weapons from the battle and visiting the Robert the Bruce statue. 

COP 26 Mass

As part of COP26, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, His Excellency Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti represented the Pope, who was unable to attend.    To mark the occasion a mass was celebrated in St Augustine’s Church in Coatbridge along with the Bishops of Scotland. It was a privilege to attend this lovely Mass along with Cavan and Amanda along with other representatives form schools across Scotland. 

Flu Vaccinations

As part of the push to have as many people vaccinated as possible before the worst of the winter season arrived, we were visited by a number of NHS workers who vaccinated a large number of staff and pupils.  Thanks to Mr Lang for organising and coordinating this.   

Annual Education Mass

The Annual Education Mass at the start of catholic Education week was able to take place again this year in the Cathedral, after missing out last year. it was great to be able to attend this along with staff and over 30 of our Caritas pupils  in the school. 

 

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education week is now actually 2 weeks long and runs from the Feast of St Margaret (16th Nov.) to the Feast of St. Andrew (30th November).  The theme for this year is Celebrating and Worshipping. Classes have bee discussing Catholic Education in RE classes and we have pupils visiting parishes over the next two weekends.  To celebrate, we finished this week off with a very successful Prayer Breakfast – plenty of pancakes eaten!  Thanks to Mrs Smith for organising events over the course of the week.

Caritas Retreat

Our caritas pupils have also recently had the opportunity to have a retreat in the school led by Fr. Mark O’Donnell.  The feedback from this has been overwhelmingly positive.  A big thanks to Father for coming in to the school to do this. 

Scottish Youth Parliament Elections

Once again the Scottish Youth Parliament Elections took place and we were in a position to organise for most of our pupils to vote in this. It was worth a bit of disruption during the day as this is an important platform to ensure that young people’s voices are heard.   Thanks to our S6 pupils for helping out!

War Memorial Mass

Our Annual War memorial took place in St Brendan’s Parish in Muirhouse again this year.  Due to restrictions it could not take place in our War Memorial Chapel in the school. So, we are very grateful to Fr Ness for hosting and celebrating the Mass for us. It was lovely to welcome the trustees and others to the Mass, along with Provost Jean Jones who took the time out to join us.  S6 pupils Niamh and Mark had the privilege of reading out the roll of honour at the Mass, remembering former staff and pupils from Our Lady’s High and St Joseph’s High who were killed during World War II.

Twitter

Staff continue to give updates on what is happening in the school via Twitter.  Please follow them to see lots of the things that are happening.

• School Twitter: @OLHSMotherwell
• Social Subjects: @OLHSSocSubjects
• Friday Afternoons: @FridayOlhs
• Expressive Arts: @ExpressiveOLHSM
• Health & wellbeing: @olhs_healthwb
• Support for Learning: @OLHS_SFL
• Developing the Young Workforce: @OLHSDYW
• Modern Languages: @OLHSModLangs
• Technologies: @OLHSTechnical
• RE: @OLHSRE
• Library: @OLHSLRC
• Maths: @OLHSMathematics
• English: @OLHSEnglish
• Eco Committee: @EcoOlhs
• Art & Design: @OlhsartD

Forthcoming Events 

Tuesday 23rd November – S1 Virtual Parents’ Evening 

Thursday 2nd December – S5/6 Virtual Parents’ Evening 

Monday 6th December – S4 Prelims begin 

Wednesdays 22nd December – School closes at 2.30pm 

Monday 10th January – School reopens