Well done to Gold Medal winner Liam Buchanan of Fifth year. Liam recently took part in the North Lanarkshire schools’ swimming championships in the Matt Busby Sports Complex. Liam won Gold in both the 100 metres and 200 metres breaststroke in the 17-19 years age group. Well done to Liam!

Massive congratulations to the S1/S2 rugby team who battled heroically on last week at Dalziel Rugby club’s school tournament, to claim Taylor High Schools first victory in competition. The team won games against strong sides from Belllshill and Coatbridge, and in doing so became League winners in their section. In all, Taylor High Rugby club ran in 14 tries in a competitive tournament, playing both physical and intelligent rugby along the way. Pupils involved in the success of the tournament were Martin Oates, Cameron Leonard, Ryan Curran, John James Rodger, Sulaiman Sabir, Ronin Barrett, Cameron McGowan, Nathan Nugent, Louis Douglas,

Kai Rudzki, David McKeown, Robbie Keys, Ryan Mimnaugh, Aidan McDade and Antony Taylor. The team’s success was down to hard work and commitment to training. Thanks to Mr Williams and Mr Heron for all their hard work; they are incredibly proud of their team’s performance and efforts.

Their next game will be a 13-a-side game against Bellshill at Dalziel Rugby Club at the end of November.

A group of 20 Fouth Year students recently enjoyed a Chemistry trip to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh for the celebration of National Oil and Gas Week. Representatives from the oil and gas industry as well as the renewable sector were their to provide students with information in the different careers available in the industry. Pupils got a chance to meet the experts and ask valuable questions. They also took part in a workshop which involved hands on activities dealing with non-stainable and stainable energy. The group were accompanied by Miss Lennon (Teacher of Chemistry) and Mrs Valente (Teacher of Modern Studies). The young people had a fantastic time at the excursion organised by Miss Lennon.

Recently the Sixth Year boys booted up to take on the male staff in a charity football match in order to raise money for SCIAF. The end result was 3-0 with the Sixth Year boys coming out on top on this occasion. The highlight of the game was a solo goal from Jack Shearer ending with a 25 yarder into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance! However, the teachers did question some of the referee’s decisions, and complained about some of the robust tackling meted out by the Sixth Years! Very well done to Sixth Year students Anthony Blair and Stephen Shields who organised this event as part of the Caritas Programme. A good sum of money was raised for SCIAF??. Thanks to Mr McMahon (Principal Teacher of Religious Education) who supported the students with the organisation of this match, and to all staff and pupil participants.

Sixth Year students intending to attend University following Taylor High School are currently working together with Stage Head Mrs Frances Seggie and other staff to put the finishing touches to their personal statements in preparation for submission to UCAS. Pupils will also meet with a staff mentor to offer additional support and guidance through their application. We wish them all the very best!

Two of our Sixth Year House Captains recently represented Taylor High School Pupil Councils at the launch of North Lanarkshire Strategy for Working with Young People conference. Dylan Bell and Sophie Daly attendend the event at Airdrie Town Hall where they enjoyed presentations, discussion groups and hearing from young people across the Authority. Dylan and Sophie will now share good practice with the Pupil Councils across all stages at their forthcoming meetings. Thanks to Depute Head Mrs Sandra Devlin who co-ordinated this visit. All of our Sixth Year House Captains have now met with their allocated year group councils with plans in place for a positive year ahead.

Our Social Subjects department is currently organising an excursion to London, scheduled to tale place in June 2015. This residential trip, aimed at Fourth Year Students, will be based on the Geography, History and Modern Studies courses with various activities designed to support our young people in their curricular work. Our pupils are already highly anticipating this visit, and thanks go to Principal Teacher of Social Subjects Miss Heidi Stoutjesdyk for her organisation of this worthwhile excursion that has been a huge success over recent years.

Reminder to all parents/carers: Monday 13 to Friday 17 October are local holidays and the school is closed. School re-opens on Monday 20 October at 8.50am.

Caritas students were led by Sixth Year student Mitchell McGarry Wilson recently as they organised a cake and candy event as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s Big Coffee Morning for the whole school to enjoy. Our students were supported by Mr Martin McMahon. (Principal Teacher of Religious Education). In addition Mr Scott Russell ( Principal Teacher of Home Economics) and teachers Mr Andy Williams and Miss Louise Hamilton organised a staff coffee morning with some absolutely beautiful and equally delicious cakes on offer that were produced by Miss Hamilton’s National Cake Craft class. Shannon Dunn of Sixth Year also created a mass of cupcakes for sale in the school canteen area as part of her Personal Development Higher. As a result of all the day’s activity over £400 was raised and we look forward to presenting a cheque to this worthwhile charity in the near future. Thanks to all of those who donated cakes and contributed to the day’s proceedings.

A very substantial programme of study support is ongoing throughout the year. Currently since the beginning of the session a wide range of subjects have been offering a variety of options at lunchtime and after school in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, Modern Studies, ICT, Art and Design among others. These classes mainly target students in Fourth to Sixth Year preparing for external exams next May and June. In addition a homework club open to all students operates in the school library at lunchtime. A big thank you goes to all staff who run these additional classes.