Category Archives: News

News, Success

YPI

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On the 11th of June this year, as the winners of the YPI (Youth Philanthropy Initiative) from our school, we attended the annual YPI event in Perth.  When we arrived we were given the £3000 cheque with our charity’s name on it. After registration we waited in line with the other YPI winners to get our photo taken.  We then met with the representatives from our chosen charity and then were asked into the hall for the main event. After a video call from the founder of YPI, Julie Toskan-Casale (all the way from Canada) and another from Olympic gold medallist Katherine Granger, we were constantly asked “this is my philanthropy, what is yours?”  Then we were shown other winners creative presentations and learnt about their charities. After seeing these presentations we were given an inspirational speech by the professional adventurer Sean Conway who swam from Lands’ End to John O’Groats. We had lunch and met other inspiring YPI winners, and then we were shown more presentations and heard the stories of others. There was music, dance and a few tears in the crowd but the day was truly inspirational and we enjoyed our time in the YPI project and hope to continue contact with our charity.

Written by Stuart Smith and Izzy Milford (part of the winning YPI team 2013/14.  Other team members – Kay Henderson, Fern Smith and Alexander Whyttock)

News, Success

Gala Dinner

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All senior pupils linked with the Home Economics Department took part in this year’s Charity Gala Dinner

The theme was linked to the Junior Ryder cup and there were 18 tables of 10 people, each table being named after the 18 holes of the Rosemount Course.

The department are hugely indebted to Ewan Mac Gregor of ELM Associates who worked tirelessly to bring the whole event together and Henderson’s Marquee Hire who sponsored the use of a 5 star marquee and Gordons cater Hire who sponsored all the equipment for the pupils to use.

Ally Bally from Radio Tay led the proceedings for the night and carried out a fun filled auction.

The pupils worked alongside a professional team of chefs and front of house staff to prepare and serve a 6 course meal to their guests.

The Head chef for the day was Bill McNicoll who lead the team of chefs from the Dalmore, Lairds House, Cargills, Mark Murphy & Partner Ltd and the Lovat hotel.

Jim Nesmith from the Huntingtower Hotel led the Front of House team and Shona Sutherland of Taysteful made white chocolate golf ball favours.

The pupils gained a great deal from the event and have benefited hugely from working alongside such a professional team. The pupils said that they will carry this experience with them for the rest of their lives.

Proceeds from the event were to be split between the Cash for Kids and the Hospitality fund in the Home Economics Department

News, Success

Junior Mastercook

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180 second year pupils have taken part in the initial rounds of the competition run by the Home Economics department as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.  

Pupils took part in the ‘Dine in with Me Challenge’ where they were asked to come up with a main course that showed off their culinary flair in the kitchen whilst encouraging home cooking and the use of fresh Scottish ingredients.  Pupils competed in class heats initially whereby the top 15 dishes were selected for the final.  Ross Morrison (head chef) at the Lairds House in Blairgowrie worked with the final 15 pupils to give them advice on how to enhance their dishes for the final. 

Our winner was Charlotte with her dish Rack of Lamb with Asparagus Parcels and Dauphinoise.  Well done to her!

Mrs Smith (Principal teacher of Home Economics) said “The whole experience fits in well with promoting ‘Wider Achievement’ in our curriculum. I am really impressed with the pupils, it was a difficult decision to select the top 15 pupils given the high standard.”

The judges were Mr Bill McNicol (Executive Head Chef, Huntingtower Hotel, Perth), Mr David Cochrane (Head Chef, Dalmore Inn and Restaurant) and Kevin Reid – RAF chef, Edinburgh.  Bill told us “It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm and talent in our youngsters and I hope to see some of them pursuing a career in hospitality.”

Tayside Contracts awarded a trophy for the Healthiest Dish on the day to link in with promoting Healthier food choices.  The Rotary Club of Blairgowrie  have donated specially embroidered chefs whites and hats for all the finalists and Kenneth Allan, TA HW Irvines butchers  has sponsored a visit to Nick Nairn cook school for winner. 

Other sponsors of prizes are RAF Careers Dundee ,HE Departments Gala Dinner fund, Robert Smith Contractors and Mrs Lynn Smith,  Tescos Stores and the Local co-operative store.

Thanks to everyone involved .

News, Success

White Water Rafting

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On Friday the 2nd of May, thirty Blairgowrie High School pupils made their way out to Aberfeldy to get involved in an exciting white water rafting experience to help fund raise for the school. The event was sponsored by Nae limits, the outdoor activity company, run by John Mason Strang an ex pupil of the school. The pupils ranged from second to sixth year and Mrs Rutherford, one of our teachers  and Mrs Pearson, a parent took part as well. It was a daunting experience for most but once we all got our wetsuits on and were on the river everyone had lots of fun. Thanks to the Nae Limits instructors everyone felt safe in their rafts and ready to complete the challenges that we were given. Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing we had to survive six rapids that increasingly built up in size; we also had the danger of other group members pulling us overboard as well as our own group members and even our instructor. Other challenges included the group standing precariously on the edge of the raft and holding on for dear life while the raft drifted downstream. We also had a race which the sixth year raft won- it was a fix! Even though we were cold and soaked sitting on the bus home we all had fun and we were glad we took part in the activity. Thanks to Nae Limits for giving us this wonderful opportunity!

Rachel  and Lisa S4

News

IBike is coming to Blairgowrie High School

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“Millions of children in the UK want to cycle to school, yet only 2% do” 

An exciting project will be starting at Blairgowrie High School this year.  IBike is run by Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable Transport Charity, and helps more pupils to be able to cycle to and from school and during leisure time.

Here at Blairgowrie High School we hope to create a cycling culture in the school and we aim to focus on two areas in particular.

–          Maintain and improve cycling levels as pupils move from primary to secondary school.

–          Address the differing needs of young boys and girls regarding cycling.

We will be promoting this through cycling training workshops, working with parents and promotional activities and events. Working with the pupils and in conjunction with the School’s Travel Plan, we hope to improve your children’s health, fitness, independence and confidence, but will also help to teach them vital road safety skills and has been shown to help improve concentration levels in the classroom.

Contact Mr Asensio for more information