Staff and students had another fantastic time on the annual whole school excursion to Blackpool last week after it was postponed from June. Seven buses full of students enjoyed this year’s trip. The weather for the day was fantastic, and the young people should be commended on the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the day. They were a credit to themselves and the school. We returned to Taylor with the usual cuddly toys and sticks of rock. Thanks go to Miss Nicola Daley, Depute Head Teacher who coordinated this visit for everyone to enjoy! You can check out some of our photos from the day on our Twitter page @TaylorHS1982

Shocked by pictures and stories in the press the S6 Caritas students, supported by Mr. McMahon, Principal Teacher of Religious Education and Mrs. Burton, Principal Teacher of English, have responded by launching an appeal to gather essentials for those refugees currently living in Calais. In response to an appeal by local volunteers from the group Wishaw to Calais, the school have set up their own group to raise awareness and co-ordinate efforts, by collecting as much as possible by the end of September (for transportation in mid-October.) Donations of toiletries (wipes, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap etc.) can be handed in to the school or given to any student to hand in.

Last weekend North Lanarkshire ran a cultural festival day to promote and celebrate the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and its legacy. There were many fun activities throughout the day and Taylor High’s very own Amy McNaughton took part in the day with her Jump Rope Academy group. Jump Rope Academy is a skipping organisation and Amy and the rest of her teammates put on a fantastic show skipping to crowds and then working with young children on the day to get them involved. Well done Amy, you are a great asset to Taylor High School.

The ceremony to recognise pupil achievement in Fourth to Sixth Year for session 2014-15 took place last week. This event recognised success of students from Fourth through to Sixth Year on a wide variety of fronts including academic achievement, consistency of achievement, contribution to school and community, sporting success and attendance among other areas. Our thanks go to The Lord Advocate Right Honourable Frank Mulholland QC. Frank Mullholland is a Scottish lawyer who’s legal career has span over four decades.He has held Scotland’s top legal position as Lord Advocate since May 2011. He was the first Advocate Depute and Senior Advocate appointed within the Procurator Fiscal Service, and only the second non-advocate appointed to the office of the Lord Advocate. Frank came from vary modest roots in Coatbridge where he grew up and has worked extremely hard throughout his career to get where he is today. He was a very motivating and inspiring speaker who spoke eloquently to our young people, many who are about to embark on new journeys beyond Taylor High. We thank Frank for his very motivating words and advice to our young people at this memorable event. This was, as always, a very successful evening with a number of musical interludes presented by staff and students of the Music Department led by Principal Teacher Fiona Cannon. The music as always was truly spectacular, with both the performance and song-writing talents of many of our young people on display throughout each performance. Sophie Ho of Second Year opened the programme with an advanced solo piano piece, whilst both Second Year student Amy Louise Brogan and Fourth Year students Anna Cormack, Niamh Provan and Dionne Devine performed their own original compositions supported by our staff and pupil instrumental ensemble and large scale chorus! The musical performances for the evening were concluded by our National 5 and Higher students who delivered their own musical arrangement supported again by our choir and instrumentalists. The Jazz Band also provided a highly enjoyable performance for our guests on the evening supported by department staff and peripatetic music staff. This was well received by pupils, parents and invited guests.

Thanks to Depute Head Louisa McGraw who co-ordinated the event with the support of a large number of staff and pupils. Particular thanks to our superb Music Department led by Fiona Cannon, Principal Teacher of Music and colleagues, for the outstanding entertainment provided on the night! Thanks also to Mrs. Amanda Fairley and the team of office staff for the all the work that went on behind the scenes. The night proved extremely poignant and moving in places and we congratulate all the young people on their outstanding success.

Reminder to  all students that the second Prelim will take place on the first week back (Week beginning 20th April.)  Make sure you are in class and have studied to ensure you do your best !

Taylor’s Third Year Options Information Meeting takes place from 7 – 9pm on Thursday 19 March. The meeting is aimed at our current Second Year cohort and their parents/carers and offers them the opportunity to be informed of students’ subject options and visit different departments around the school to find out in more detail from departmental staff what is on offer as they embark on their Third Year studies. Thanks to all staff who are contributing to the preparation and delivery of the evening. Their continued support of the young people at Taylor High School is greatly valued.

A group of nine Fourth Year students took a break from their exam preparation to enjoy a taster session for Creative Writing at St. Ambrose High School. The students, accompanied by Mrs. Alison Rooney, Teacher of English, have shown a particular aptitude for Creative Writing and the scheme will allow them a chance to further develop their skills during a week long writing camp in Oban later in the year where students will work with popular Scottish writer Malcolm McGonigle. The students will now produce a folio to exemplify their particular talent and this will go before a judging panel who then face the difficult task of awarding the sought after places. We wish all our applicants well and look forward to enjoying their writing.

Last week over 40 Fifth and Sixth Year pupils studying Higher and Advanced Higher Maths set off to the Kilbowie Outdoor Centre in Oban on for the Annual Maths Camp Weekend. Students are given the opportunity to participate in an extensive study programme for the forthcoming examination. A great time was had by all with pupils also being given the chance to take part in an Outdoor activity as part of the school’s Health Promotion Programme. They took part in Coaststeering which involves rock climbing and sea swimming and the group finished off with a seven metre jump into the sea. Credit goes to the students involved as this is an activity where participants get extremely wet jumping in and out of the sea on what turned out to be a particularly cold and wintry day. All staff who participated in the weekend were impressed by the pupils’ effort and application. It is hoped that their efforts will be rewarded by good results in the final examination. The weekend is part funded by the Edinburgh University Mathematical Association and we thank them for their continued support. Thanks to Mr. Mark Dorris (Principal Teacher of Mathematics), Mrs. Liz Bergen and Mr. John Harty (Teachers of Mathematics) and Miss Gemma Tobin (Student Teacher).

This month we welcome the return of an initiative called “Taylor Tycoon” to Taylor’s First Year ICT course unit on Graphics and Marketing. Pupils are each given initial Capital of £1 and are asked to apply their entrepreneurial spark to make as much money as they can from a business idea they develop either as sole traders or in partnership with other pupils. Business ideas range from Confectionery, Cake, Sweets and Stationery to Nail Painting, Customised Jewellery and a Magician! After creating unique business logos, business plans and marketing materials the extremely enthusiastic young entrepreneurs will launch their enterprises upon an unsuspecting Campus, setting up stalls in the theatre with the assistance and support of the Department’s staff. This daily Bazaar is expected to create a real buzz and will surely be deemed a resounding success due to the efforts and creativity of all pupils involved. This undoubtedly will prove once again to be a thoroughly rewarding experience for First Year pupils. We will keep you updated with the contest and the final winners. Good luck to each of the First Year teams. Thanks to Mr David Lewis, Principal Teacher of BCT, and to all of his department for their co-ordination of the activity.