Twelve of our Third Year Students will soon participate in the Fire Reach Programme which takes place at Coatbridge Fire Station. This is a programme designed to help young people understand the job the Fire Fighters do on a daily basis, and to highlight the dangers of hoax calls and vandalism of hydrants. Every individual who participates will receive a certificate to acknowledge their effort and participation. Family members and staff will also enjoy the opportunity to attend a presentation afternoon where pupils will show off their new skills and knowledge. Our first six students will attend next week. Good luck to Asra Hashim, Rebecca Johnson, Colleen Hattie, Beth Rankin, Linzi Howson and Kerry Donald. Thanks go to Mrs Helen McStay Principal Teacher of Pupil Support who will be supporting our young people throughout their experience.

Sixth Year students recently attended the annual Taylor Sixth Year Conference which took place on Friday 22 August, in the Xavier Centre, Carfin. The election of this year’s House Captains took place during the conference, where students also participated in a variety of workshops addressing issues concerning the rights and responsibilities of being a Sixth Year student during the session ahead. Various staff also spoke with the students about the vast amount of committee opportunities open to them in their Sixth Year, highlighting the variety of ways in which they can contribute to school life in the year ahead. A very well done to all pupils who were in the running for a House Captain position as a great deal of hard work and enthusiasm had been put into their election speeches in the run up to the event. As part of the election process our candidates were also interviewed by Head Teacher Mr Gerry McCormick and our school Chaplain Father King. Congratulation to this year’s elected House Captains for each year group House as follows; Jenna Hughes for First Year, Dylan Bell for Second Year, Lewis Shields for Third Year, Sophie Daly for Fourth Year, Luke Miller will be working with Fifth Year and finally Ciaran Connelly will collaborate with Sixth Year. Their respective year groups look forward to working with them through school initiatives and events over the year to come. Thanks to Ian MacFarlane our Home School Partnership Officer who spoke to the students about our Buddying Programme, to Mr Martin McMahon and Father King who presented the Caritas Award Initiative and to Mrs Morag Dickson (Classroom Assistant), Mrs Christine McLaughlin (ASN) and Mr David Anderson (Teacher of Maths) who supported staff on the day ensuring the smooth running of the programme. Thanks to Acting Principal Teacher of Pupils Support Miss Suzanne Evans supported by Stage Head Mrs Frances Seggie, who co-ordinated this year’s conference which was, as always, a huge success.

Final details of the day and week pattern for the new session when pupils return on Monday 18^th August 2014. 

The changes to times which will take effect on that date result from the implementation of the 33-period week by North Lanarkshire Council. This was agreed by elected members in 2013.

The following times are the same on all student days commencing 18^th August 2014.

Start time each day:           8.50am

Interval:                                10.30am – 10.45am

Lunchtime:                          12.25pm – 1.10pm

Please note that there is no registration period prior to Period 1.  Any student who is late will miss part of the first lesson of the day. In addition all periods are 50 minutes in duration.

The structure of the 33-period week will include three 7-period days: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and two 6-period days: Wednesdays and Fridays

Their structure is as follows:

7-Period Day

08.50 – 09.40                     Period 1

09.40 – 10.30                      Period 2

10.30 – 10.45                       Interval

10.45 – 11.35                        Period 3

11.35 – 12.25                        Period 4

12.25 – 13.10                        Lunch

13.10 – 14.00                       Period 5

14.00 – 14.50                      Period 6

14.50 – 15.40                      Period 7

6-Period Day

08.50 – 09.40                      Period 1

09.40 – 10.30                      Period 2

10.30 – 10.45                       Interval

10.45 – 11.35                        Period 3

11.35 – 12.25                        Period 4

12.25 – 13.10                        Lunch

13.10 – 14.00                       Period 5

14.00 – 14.50                      Period 6

On 7-period days school will dismiss at 3.40pm. On 6-period days school will dismiss at 2.50pm.

 

When we return in August we will be once again launching the backpack appeal for Mary’s Meals to support the education children in the developing world.  When the bell goes next week don’t bin your old school bag (unless it really is falling apart !)  Any schoolbags &  pencil cases can be handed in to Mrs. Burton or Mr. McMahon.  A full list of items required will be issued in the new term !

Could all of the Library books be returned to the Library before Friday 20^th June 2014. Thank you.

Congratulations to Roisin Brennan in S4 who has been offered a place at this year’s Creative Residency programme in Oban to focus on her Creative Writing.  Roisin will enjoy a week basking in the sun of Oban at the end of the June while working on her creative writing with a team from North Lanarkshire, which includes other succesful S4 students and a professional writer.  We wish Roisin well and look forward to reading her stories.

Nat 5 & Higher English Students are reminded they should return their books as soon as possible as these are needed for new courses.  Nat 5 pupils have been particularly bad at returning their texts and will not be issued with any new books for Higher until their Nat 5 book has been returned to their class teacher.

Miss Murphy’s S5 homework and revision aids are in the National 4 (Intermediate 1) and National 5 (Intermediate 2) sections, in the English department. You will find revision powerpoints for all texts and two SQA past papers, Complete both Close Reading papers, choose any 4 Critical Essay questions (one for Blood Brothers, two poetry questions for In The Snackbar and Mid-Term Break and one for Fearless) and complete these essays. All homework is due on 22.04.14.
Happy revising
Miss M

Easter School takes place once again from Monday 7th until Wednesday 9th April.  Timetables have been issued to all students in Fourth to Sixth Year with a wide range of subjects on offer involving many members of staff. Most students have already signed up for courses across the three days.  Any student who has not yet done so is welcome to attend on the day and sign up for a study course! Click this link to see the full 3-day programme: Taylor High Easter School Programme 2014