On 5 March, four S2 pupils participated in and won the Shetland UHI Bridge Building Competition. Over 32 pupils from across Shetland took part in the competition, where teams were tasked with constructing bridges out of wood.

Each team was challenged to build the most efficient bridge, with each piece of wood assigned a cost that was calculated at the end. This encouraged the young people to carefully consider their designs and be mindful of how real-life projects can be costly depending on their design choices.

#Article 29 – Right to reach their full potential through education

Primary Pupil Council

Our Primary Pupil Council updated us on the fantastic work they have been doing to improve our playground, learning, and experiences. They have:

• bought a chute for the playground;
• submitted a funding request to Cooke Aquaculture to help purchase new iPads for primary classrooms and support our Loch Inch trip;
• organised a Beetle Drive fundraising event for our community, scheduled for 12 March 2025.

Secondary Pupil Council

Our Secondary Pupil Council shared their efforts to enhance our school environment. They bought:  netball stand, pool cues, darts, footballs and outdoor storage for play equipment.

Additionally, they have written a letter to parents and carers highlighting concerns about dog fouling and damage to playground equipment. The letter reminds everyone that dogs be on school grounds.

They also announced a competition to design a Pupil Council Logo, to represent the voice of our pupils. Posters will be displayed around the school, and the deadline for entries is 20 February 2025.

Eco Committee

Our Eco Committee shared their ongoing work to help protect the planet by reducing waste. They encouraged everyone to:

• use the recycling bins correctly.
• turn off lights when leaving classrooms.

Reading Schools

We celebrated Ms Nicholson for successfully completing the Reading Diverse Challenge.

Tammie encouraged everyone to get involved and reminded pupils to keep their bookmarks updated.

UNCRC Rights

Our Rights Ambassadors shared their knowledge of two key UNCRC articles:

• Article 19 – Protection from violence, abuse, and neglect.
• Article 35 – The right not to be kidnapped, sold, or trafficked.

Mr Lawson then discussed these rights in connection with Holocaust Memorial Day (Monday 27 January 2025), focusing on Anne Frank, who was persecuted for her religion and had her rights denied.

In the third week of January, Ian Irvin of PJP Architects paid a visit to our school to give a careers talk to technical pupils in S3/S4. This was followed by an activity given to the pupils by Ian.

It was a very active afternoon with an insight into what is involved in designing and building a house as well as an overview of the kind of path to follow if you want to be an architect. Pupils used drawing equipment to redesign the kitchen that was already drawn out for a house designed by Ian.

Creative ideas flowed with some unusual suggestions for a kitchen interior! Afterwards some of the pupils explained their design to the rest of the group, similar to what students do in design school.

It was an informative session with some fun added that the pupils clearly enjoyed.

On Thursday 12 December, we hosted our Christmas Show, and what a success it was!

A big well done to everyone involved:

• Primary Department for their performance of the nativity, “Holy Joe!”
• S1 Class for their performance of “Step into Christmas.”
• S2 Class their performance of “Merry Christmas Everyone.”
• Whole School performance of “Let’s Spread the Word.”

Singing, playing, and acting were absolutely brilliant.

A big thank you goes to all the helpers and supporters who made the show possible.

Click to watch video.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was wonderful to see so many parents and relatives join us in the Nursery department to celebrate the festive season.  Mulled wine, mulled apple juice, shortbread, and mince pies were enjoyed in a cheerful and festive atmosphere.

UNCRC Rights
Article #1 – A child is any person under the age of 18.
Article #2 – All children have rights

MYJHS Vision
Inclusive – Supportive – Nurturing

On Tuesday 10 December, our S3 class proudly hosted the annual Senior Citizen Event. Guests enjoyed a delightful afternoon of performances, including fiddlers, clarinet pieces, and festive songs such as Step Out to Christmas by our S1 class, Merry Christmas Everyone by S2 pupils, and a sneak peek of numbers from our upcoming school show.  The event concluded with a Christmas feast.

It was a bustling day for our canteen staff, who worked alongside S4 Practical Cookery pupils to prepare and serve meals for 70 guests. Meanwhile, S3 pupils (with help from a few S2s) set tables, served food, organised and ran the raffle, and ensured everything was tidied up afterwards.

A big thank you to everyone who attended, to our hardworking canteen staff, and to Mid Yell Hall for generously providing tables and crockery.

UNCRC Rights
Article #29 – Aims of education – help fully develop their personalities, talents and abilities.
Article #31 – Rest, Play, Culture – to take part in cultural and creative activities

MYJHS Vision
Inclusive – Supportive – Developing

In Social Studies, S1 has been learning about democracy in the UK, focusing on the importance of the right to freely share their thoughts with others as a fundamental aspect of the democratic process and the right to vote.

They have discussed why it is essential for individuals to exercise their rights to freely express ideas and participate in voting, as well as considered what it might be like to live in a society where these freedoms are restricted.

Wheelchair Basketball

On 3 December 2024, we joined the celebration of International Day of People with Disabilities. This global event promotes equality for people with disabilities, celebrates their achievements, and highlights the challenges they face. It also emphasises the role communities play in breaking down barriers to inclusion.

Our DYW Co-ordinator, Emma Spence, arranged for Charis Scott, Ability Shetland’s Sports Development Coordinator, to visit our school with basketball wheelchairs. Charis conducted two wheelchair basketball sessions with our S1 and S2 classes.

Through these sessions, our pupils discovered how enjoyable wheelchair sports can be and learned that everyone can participate in the game. Additionally, they gained insight into the financial challenges that can act as barriers to inclusion, fostering a greater understanding of the importance of accessibility in sports.

#Article 2 – UNCRC rights applies to all under 18s, with no exceptions.

#Article 23 – Disabled children should be supported to reach their full potential. They should be provided with activities with others so that they can be an active participant in their own community.

MYJHS Vision – Inclusive, Supportive, Nurturing

On Wednesday 13 November 2024, we held our annual “Batten Down The Hatches” event.  During this event.  During this event, pupils, staff and parents worked together to prepare the school ground for winter.

House teams were given different responsibilities:

Lumbister House was allocated the Yard Area.  Their tasks included harvesting, clearing, tidying up, and adding ground cover.

Reafirth House was allocated the Top Primary and Peerie House Area.  Their tasks included tidying and stacking loose resources, clearing the sides of the playground, tidying out the primary sheds, securing around the playhouse, and tidying and securing the mud kitchen.

Breckon House was allocated the Planting Polycrub and Middle Playground.  Their tasks included harvesting and clearing beds, tidying tools, stacking tyres, clearing mud from steps and the playground, and pressure-washing under the climbing frame.

Arisdale House was allocated the Secondary Area and Wider School Grounds.  Their tasks included clearing leaves, moving the goal post to a secure location, tidying the dean area, securing it, tidying the wooded area, cleaning behind the polycrubs, and conducting a litter sweep.

The event was a great success! All pupils, from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, did an excellent job supporting one another to complete the tasks. Thankfully, everything was sorted just in time for today’s wind!

A big thank-you goes out to our parent helpers!

UNCRC #1  Everyone under 18 has rights

UNCRC #6  Children have the right to live and grow as a person

MYJHS Vision:  Inclusive, Supportive and Developing our young learners skills.

As part of our Developing the Young Workforce program our S4 pupils have been experiencing mock interviews this week (11-14 November 2024).

During their Lifeskills lessons, S4 pupils explored a wide range of local employers and job opportunities. After selecting a specific employer and job role, they reviewed and tailored their CVs to align with their chosen position.

This week, all pupils attended interviews, held either online or face-to-face. Each pupil gained valuable experience, showcasing their ability to engage professionally in an interview setting. They also identified next steps, such as pursuing volunteer opportunities to build experience and strengthen their CVs.

#UNCRC 12 – Right to express views

#UNCRC 29 – Right to an education to develop personalities, talents, and abilities.