Where did that term go? It seems like only yesterday since we came back after the Easter holidays and here we are already, preparing to finish up for the summer soon! Lots to fill you in on what has been happening but this is only a snapshot. It feels that it’s just been since Easter that we have been able to get back into doing those great things that get a school buzzing! You can keep up to date regularly by following our school Twitter account @OLHSMotherwell and the many other OLHS faculty or department accounts.
Rights Respecting Schools Gold Award
The big news this term is that we have been successful in achieving UNICEF’s Rights Repecting Schools Gold Award. It is granted by UNICEF UK to schools that have fully embedded children’s rights throughout the school in its policies, practice and ethos. This has involved hard work over the years working with staff, pupils and the wider community, including parents. Mrs Woolley has done a magnificent job of pulling all this together and directing the school on areas for improvement over time and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude for all her hard work. This award is valid for 3 years before being renewed, so we continue to build on this hard work as the journey continues.
SQA Exams
For the first time since 2019 the SQA exams took place. Thanks to Mr McQuillan and Mrs Maguire for organising these in the school and to all the staff for preparing our young people and supporting them throughout. Everything went very smoothly and we look forward to hearing about all the great results on 9th August.
S6 Leavers
Our S6 Leavers managed to get a decent send off this year. Their last day was on 22nd April when we had a Mass celebrated by Bishop Toal followed by some pizza in the Zone. It is always a lovely way to finish off their time in the school.
At the start of June over 20 of the pupils joined others from across the authority at the Cathedral for a service and to receive their Caritas award. Pupils have worked hard over the course of the year, volunteering in various ways to gain this award. Well done to all!
Finally, the S6 Prom took place in Hamilton Racecourse to compete the events to send the pupils off in style. It was a great night, everyone looked fantastic and the dancefloor was never empty. Another great year group that move on to the next stage in their life. Good luck in whatever you do!
Staffing
This summer we say farewell to 3 members of staff as they retire. Mr Gerry Martin (PT Pupil Support & Maths), Mrs Sandra Mitchell (English) and Mrs Heather Sim (Administration and Finance Assistant). All of these staff have been in the school for a good number of years and will be missed, We wish then all the best for a healthy and enjoyable retirement.
As a result of Mr Martin retiring and also creating a new post, we appointed two new PT Pupil Support staff. Mrs Sharon Maguire and Mr Kieran McGurk were successful at interview and will take up post from August – congratulations to them both.
After 7 years as DHT, Mr Tom McQuillan has made the decision to step away from his promoted post and will join the Maths department on a full time basis. I would like to thank him for his service to the school as a DHT and his support to me over the years. We won’t miss him – he’ll still be about!
In his place, Mrs Caroline Keenan has been appointed as the new DHT. Mrs Keenan has been DHT in St Mungo’s in Glasgow for the last 7 years and we look forward to welcoming her to the school in August.
S1 Tinto Hill
As part of the fundraising done for St Andrew’s Hospice. Most of our S1 pupils along with some staff completed a sponsored walk Tinto Hill. They had a great time and were blessed with some good weather.
Primary 7 Mass and Induction Days
Our transition Mass for the P7 pupils joining us in August took place at the end of May. We were delighted that Fr Kieran Hamilton from St Brendan’s was able to celebrate the Mass for us. Fr Kieran will start with us as our school chaplain in August. The Mass was lovely and there was a great turnout. This was the evening before our two induction days for the pupils, which went really well and hopefully eased any concerns that pupils may have had about moving to Our Lady’s.
Activities Week
Several months ago Ms McClymont came to ask if there could be an activities week on the short 3 day week at the end of May. After agreeing to this, Ms McClymont and a number of staff set about organising activities for pupils, and they did a great job. On offer was Cake making and baking, Chess, Craft, CSI Motherwell, Cycling, Film & TV, Sing Dance Act, Music workshops, WWI Heritage Award, Water Rocket competition, OLHS Newsletter, Hair & Beauty, Ukraine Mural, Health & Wellbeing walk, Sport, The Cube and Cosy Reading.
As you can see there was something for everyone and it was a fantastic few days finishing off on the Wednesday afternoon with the annual Champions League tournament. This was won this year by AC Milan led by Mr Dillon!
Induction Days
Our new S5/56 joined us again at the start of the month following their SQA exams. The first day back was an induction day. For S5 this involved an introduction with a talk about expectations and workshops on Preparing for Highers, Heart Start, Mindfulness Careers and Money Matters. For S6 there was an introduction and talk about leadership opportunities, workshops on Positive Destinations and Volunteering Opportunities and in the in the afternoon, a Service and Leadership course led by Mr Canning and Mrs Smith. Both year groups also came together in the morning for a Mass celebrated by Fr Kieran. It was a good day to set pupils up for their time ahead as the senior pupils in the school.
A group of S6 pupils have since been involved in being trained as Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP). This training will put them in a position to support others in the school from August.
Dates
- Wednesday 29th June – Last day of Term
- Tuesday 9th August – SQA Results Day
- Wednesday 10th August – Date for S5/6 pupils who require to change subjects
- Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th August – Inservice Day for teachers
- Wednesday 17th August – Pupils Return
