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.

Recently, pupils from the senior National 5 and Higher Geography class visited Luss, Loch Lomond on a field trip to gather information about the impact of tourism in the local area. A Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Ranger was on hand to provide a guided walk around the village and answer any questions the pupils had. Pupils carried out an interview with the park ranger and took photographs of damage caused to the area by tourists. Some pupils will make use of the information gathered in their Geography assignments. The pupils were lucky to get a break in the weather on the day and all pupils thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this field trip. Thanks to Mr. Chris Dale and Mrs. Clare Bowes (Teachers of Geography) for arranging the trip.

Huge thanks to our Chaplain Fr. King, all staff, pupils, parents and friends of the school who contributed in any way to the wide range of liturgical and other activities over the Christmas period. Thanks go to all local priests who participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent. Particular thanks to all staff who helped organise and supervise the annual Christmas Ceilidhs and to all involved with preparations for the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party and the food parcels for distribution to local senior citizens. A special mention must go to Mr. Martin McMahon, Principal Teacher of Religious Education who co-ordinated these events very successfully.

All students are reminded that the FINAL drafts of their writing folios are due (both electronic and paper versions) to your English teacher by Monday 12th January.   You should be focussing on these over the Christmas break.

The school’s annual senior citizens’ party takes place on the afternoon of Thursday 18 December. A Christmas play, musical entertainment and an afternoon tea will be provided for all guests. Names can be given through pupils of the school, through parishes or by contacting the school office.

Thanks to Taylor’s music department for their help with Project Gambia: People Feeding People. Project Gambia had planned a live performance with Drizabone Soul Family. However, due to transport issues there were unable to transport their own drums. Taylor came to the rescue by allowing Project Gambia to borrow two Bongo Drums to use at the event. The event was sold out and enjoyed by around 190 soul fans. £1,600 was raised towards the project, the money raised will help to provide St John’s School for the deaf in Serrekuna, The Gamba, West Africa, with food and will allow pupils to attend school and receive a hot daily nutritious meal and ultimately gain an education. Thanks to Miss Fiona Cannon (Principal Teacher of Music) for supporting this worthy cause.

11 Taylor pupils represented the school in the Kids’ Lit Quiz which took place in Kilsyth Academy. The quiz is an important event on school calendars around the world, with this year’s final taking place in Mark Twain’s house in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Freya Mitchell, Emma Gregory, Caitlin Mullen, Aidan Greenan, Aidan Donnelly, Kayleigh Jo O’Neill, Cara McGurk, Lucy Gilchrist, Carly Nimmo, Holly Sommerville and Olivia McAree did the school proud, missing out on the top spot but earning individual prizes, coming first in two rounds and finishing second out of all North Lanarkshire schools. Well done! The pupils are keeping their eyes firmly on next year’s final in New Zealand and practice sessions will begin soon! Thanks to Miss Ruth MacPhail (teacher of English) for organising a fantastic day!

Taylor High School Christmas Fayre

Thursday 27 November 2014, 4.30pm – 7.00pm

 

The School’s Annual Christmas Fayre will be held from 4.30pm until 7.00pm on Thursday 27 November in aid of school funds. It is hoped that by holding the Fayre after school it will enable parents, staff and pupils to attend and avoid impacting on valuable time at the weekend in the run up to Christmas. This event is a school fundraising event for the benefit of our whole school community.   The school really needs your help to make this event a success and I take this opportunity to ask you to support the event in the following ways:

• DONATE GOODS FOR THE STALLS
• ATTEND ON THE NIGHT

 

The provisional list of stalls for the event is:

• Rodeo Reindeer
• Hamper Raffles
• Bouncy Castle
• Bottle Stall
• Jewellery Stall
• Handcrafted Gifts Stall
• Enterprise Stall
• Cake and Candy Stall
• Book/DVD/CDs
• Cake & Candy Stall
• Tombola/Children’s Tombola
• Toys
• Visit Santa
• Buskers
• Tearoom
• Groceries Stall

Donations

I ask you to support this ambitious event by donating items for one or more of the stalls.   Pupils should bring in at least 2 small items on the day and Registration Teachers will inform them where items should be taken for storage. If for any reason you are able to donate a large item, I would ask that you phone the school to arrange delivery, the school is open to 10pm Monday to Friday. An adult should deliver any bottles of alcohol for the tombola. Pupils may bring in all other bottles.

 

Non-Uniform

Thursday 27 November will be a non-uniform day in aid of our fundraising effort for the Fayre. On this occasion pupils who attend school out of uniform will be expected to donate 2 items in good condition for one or more of the stalls listed overleaf plus £2. As always, the authority’s dress code continues to apply in that football colours or any other form of dress that could cause offence must not be worn.

 

Got your Own Business or Know Someone who has?

We are also happy to consider providing a space for any business that may have goods that they would like to sell at the Fayre. If you know anyone in this position please phone the school on 01698 274976.

 

Finally, entry to the Fayre costs £2 for adults and £1 for children, please come along on the night and join in the fun.