XL3 are writing, photographing and starring in their own comic strip about a Zombie takeover of the school. Argh!
Click here to keep up with their progress.
The XL classes are funded through the Prince’s Trust.
XL3 Zombies
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Outward Bound
Report by M. Pegard
The first week after the Christmas holiday, we took a group of S4 pupils to join other North Lanarkshire schools for an Outward Bound experience by Loch Eil. It was quite a challenge at first for most of our pupils as they were organised into clans with students from other schools they had never met before.
For the whole week, they shared their dorm, their activities and their successes. Very quickly, all the pupils bonded within their clans as they got to know each other. This is partly thanks to the excellent instructors who looked after them during the day and who were great at motivating them through all the challenges.
Our pupils got to face their fear of height, to go on tiring day-long hikes by Ben Nevis and even to plunge into the freezing Loch Eil!
By the end of the week, everyone had a smile on their face; absolutely exhausted but delighted to have achieved more than they had though themselves able to and also to have made new friends and, no doubt, long-lasting memories.
Viking Gold
Author, V Campbell, spoke to 1st year pupils and the Creative Writing Club this week about her first published novel, Viking Gold.
Ms Campbell discussed the writing process, editing, and how long it had taken her to complete her work, before demonstrating some replica Viking weapons and armour, and sharing some rather gruesome stories.
Pupils were keen to ask questions about characters and inspiration, as well as the book cover and life as a writer.
S2 Information Evening – 1st February 2012
Parents and Carers of pupils currently in S2 are invited to Our Lady’s for an information evening on Wednesday 1st February at 7pm. Senior Management will provide information on our plans for personalisation and choice in S3 and future transition arrangements.
The S2 Parents’ Night will be held on Thursday 8th March from 7pm-9pm.
S5/S6 Schedule examinations
Upper School Schedule Examinations begin on Monday 30th January 2012.
Mon 31st Jan – Fri 4th Feb
Examinations will take place during periods 1-3 (9.00am to 12.15pm). Normal timetable will operate periods 4 – 6. Pupils who have no examination should attend usual classes periods 1-3.
Mon 6th Feb / Tue 7th Feb
Normal timetable (periods 1-6) for all pupils unless they have an exam periods 1-3.
Parents may decide to allow their child to study at home. In this case the pupil will be marked absent, which will impact on EMA payments.
Timetable
Please note that pupils will be given a detailed timetable which includes times and accommodation.
Monday 30th January
- English
- ESOL
- Sociology
Tuesday 31 January 2012
- Mathematics
- Politics
- Travel & Tourism
Wednesday 1st February
- Administration
- Biology
- French
- Physics
- PE Studies
- Product Design
- Hospitality
Thursday 2nd February
- Art
- Computing Studies
- Human Biology
- History Higher
- Music
- Spanish
Friday 3rd February
- Business Management
- Drama
- Geography
- Graphic Communication
- Modern Studies
- History Int1 / Int2
Monday 6th February
- Chemistry
Tuesday 7th February
- Music AH/ H Practicals
Snack Attack
Report by S6 Volunteering
The Snack Attack vending machines will open very soon, hopefully by Monday, 30th January. Our goal is to bring healthy products to the school community and give all profit to charity. The vending machines will operate throughout the entire school day meaning you can use it at any time.
The questionnaire results have been counted and we have prepared our initial product range:
- Still water
- Juices: Orangeand Apple
- Fruit pots: Grapes and Apple
- Milkshakes: Strawberry and Chocolate
- Crisps: Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Chive
- Pancakes
- Scones
- Baguettes
- Filled Rolls
The product range is not fixed and likely to change over time. We would therefore appreciate any feedback on what works, and what else you would like to see.
Healthy vending
The 6th year Volunteering class are working on a pilot scheme with the British Heart Foundation to promote healthy eating.
Vending machines have been installed in the school, with covers designed by the class featuring fruit and other healthy foods. The pupils are conducting surveys during tutor time to gather requests and suggestions for the foods and drinks that should be included.
The responsibility for restocking the vending machines remains with the Volunteering class, who will run it as a mini-business.
Reading Trail
The Reading Trail rolls back into action this term, with five 1st year classes battling for the title of Reading Trail Champions 2012.The Reading Trail is designed to encourage pupils to put more effort into their reading, for example by reading for five minutes each night, or finding new authors, or thinking a bit more about what they’ve been reading.
Each book completed is reviewed with a mindmap, and then a paper foot is added to the Trail Wall, listing the book’s author and title, along with marks out of 10. Each class has their own trail, which is a simple way of showing how many books are being read overall, and providing recommendations.
However, the winners are decided by the effort they put in and not the number of books read. Mitchell’s Party Crew, Tulley’s Terrors, McGhee’s Mad Squad, Jeffrey’s Magic Monkeys and Herd’s Haribos are determined that this will be ten weeks of fierce competition.
David Almond Grafitti
At the end of September, Ms McGhee’s 1st year class visited the BBC to take part in an audience with award winning author, David Almond.
In his talk, Mr Almond demonstrated the graffiti books he uses for inspiration, and afterwards, we challenged the class to create a graffiti board for themselves, with the winner receiving a signed David Almond book.
In final results were so outstanding that judges, Ms McGhee, Principal Teacher of English, Mrs Millar, and LRC Manager, Mrs Macfadyen, agreed on a winner, Andrea Groome, but also nominated four runners up: John Galloway, Adam Boyle, Shelby Slavin and Ciara McAleavy. Congratulations to all five, who have requested a copy of David Almond’s latest book as their prizes
St Ninian’s v Our Lady’s: 5-0
Report by Colette Carr
Mrs Mulholland and her Our Lady’s team travelled to Kirkintilloch on the 12th of January to play St Ninian’s in the second round of the Scottish Cup, hoping to get a result allowing them to advance to the next round of the competition.
Throughout the first half, Our Lady’s appeared to be holding up very well, holding St Ninian’s at nil nil, while also putting on a convincing attacking show, repeatedly hitting the post, the crossbar, and also forcing stops from the opposing goalie. However, with five minutes of the first period to go, the deadlock was broken by a goal from the home side, and by the break, Our Lady’s were suffering from a two goal deficit.
The second half of the match again showed many chances on goal, with the same pressure being applied forward, however, the Kirkintilloch side’s strength was displayed and culminated in another three goals, tallying the score to five nothing, before time up. During the game however, the away team were denied well deserved goals, only by quality goalkeeping, weather conditions, and sheer bad luck.
While St Ninian’s were undoubtedly a very well organised, solid side, the Our Lady’s keeper PG Aiton proved to be outstanding for the visitors. Pulling off fantastic saves, PG was credited with great comments from the St Ninian’s coaches, impressing them, and doing Mrs Mulholland and Our Lady’s proud. A brilliant performance from the keeper on a day which produced a score which may make you think otherwise.
All in all despite the poor result and exit from the cup, the performance gives a very promising outlook to the future. With League games lined up and a great attacking ethic in the team, Our Lady’s should be taking this as a step in the right direction, and start racking up the victories playing good, honest football.
Sometimes, a defeat serves you better than a victory.
