Our Lady's Latest

Good luck to freshly departed 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils whether heading for college, university or your first jobs.

Many congratulations meanwhile to all former OLHS pupils who are about to graduate over the summer.

Report by Sarah Lennon

A number of pupils ranging from S1 to S3 have been rewarded this week with a game of softball and a barbeque as a thank you from the Lifestyle Development Department for all their hardwork and excellent behaviour over the past year.  This is a new initiative set up to encourage pupils to work hard continuously throughout the year, and it has had an excellent reponse so far as pupils now know their efforts won’t go unnoticed.

Interviewed By Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid

Have you enjoyed working at OLHS?
Very much so.

What is your best memory of the school?
The friendliness of the staff.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
Yes.

How long have you been at OLHS?
One and a half years in total.

What are your plans after leaving OLHS?
Relaxing, travelling. reading lots of books and lots of retail therapy.

What will you miss most?
I’ve made good friends here. I’ll miss them and the pleasure of teaching pupils who enjoy English.

What advice would you give for anyone wanting to be a teacher?
Always be prepared.

Who was your favourite person to work with?
Too many to mention.

Would you come back to the school if you had the chance?
Yes.

Any last words?
It’s been a pleasure to end my teaching years at OLHS.

Interviewed by Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid.

Have you enjoyed working here at OLHS ? 
Oh yes, very much. It has been a privilege to work with exceptional pupils and staff. I’ve worked in many schools over the course of my career however OLHS has to be the best.

What’s your best memory of OLHS ?
There are lots and lots of good memories along with very few sad ones too. My best memories would have to be the big pupil achievements like Mrs Mulholland’s Under 18’s football team that won the shield, the school band success, etc.

Have you always wanted to be a Headteacher ?
No. I’ve been really lucky. I started as a teacher, teaching Geography at Holyrood High, then as an Assistant Principal Teacher within OLHS and worked in other schools. I worked my way up and then became Headteacher of OLHS. I have always enjoyed every job that I’ve went into. I never set out just to be a Headteacher.

How long have you been at OLHS ?
I came here in 1995, so I have been here for 14 years.

What are your plans after leaving OLHS ?
I am going to spend more time with family and spend more time on other things that I’ve not had a chance to do.

What will you miss most ?
I will miss the variety of the job. No two days are the same, every day is different. I will also miss the pupils, teaching in class and working in a school community. Also the staff that I have worked alongside with.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to be a teacher ?
Seek medical advice! Be prepared to except the fact that you can’t please everyone. The job is always changing and it is never finished.

Who was your favourite person to work with ?
I’ve had tremendous help and support from everyone I’ve worked with in the school.

Would you come back to the school if you had the chance ?
Mrs Zambonini has already offered me a day a week to help in the Sensory Garden. Other than that, I hope to be invited back.

Any last words ?
Best wishes for the future to everyone at and associated with OLHS.

Interview by Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid .

Have you enjoyed teaching at OLHS?
I enjoyed it immensely. I loved it I loved the children.

What is your best memory of OLHS?
When a child says thank you for your help.

Have you always wanted to be a support assistant ?
Yes I have always wanted to work with children especially those with special needs.

How long have you been at OLHS?
I’ve been at the school 6 years now.

What are your plans after leaving?
I am thinking of buying a property in Italy. Do a bit of sunbathing and just generally have a good time.

What will you miss most?
I will dearly miss my colleagues I work with closely especially those in the base.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a support assistant?
You need lots of patience, a good temper and self control

Who was your favourite person to work with?
Mrs Tulley because she’s an excellent boss.

Would you come back if you had the chance?
Yes I’d like to come back a few days of the week.

Last words?
Cheerio !

Interview by Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid .

Have you enjoyed teaching at OLHS?
Absolutely. It’s been a fantastic experience.

Mr Millar contemplates leaving Our Lady's

What is your best memory of OLHS?
Mm, that’s a hard one. There have been so many great times, however for me it has to be our two successful school shows.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
No, I originally wanted to be a Modern Studies teacher, before that a policeman. I chose to teach drama because I really enjoyed it at school and I thought it was exciting and different.

How long have you been at OLHS?
4 years

What are your plans after leaving?
My wife and I are taking a trip to Cuba to unwind. I plan to set up another new drama department in my new school, Glasgow Academy, so I’m doing what I did here, all over again.

"See in the West End..." Mr Millar passes on some friendly advice.

What will you miss most?
There are a lot of things I’ll miss. I really miss the calibre of the pupils and some of the staff’s senses of humour.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a teacher? I think it’s one of the best jobs in the world, but you have to be committed to the pupils and full of passion and drive to inspire them.

Who was your favourite person to work with?
I have worked with so many great people with gifted talents. It has made my time here really interesting.

Would you come back if you had the chance?
Yes, in a second.

Last words?
I wish all the pupils, staff and everyone involved in supporting the drama department and the school every good wish and continued success into the future.

Interview by Sarah Lennon.

Have you enjoyed teaching at OLHS?
Fantastic

What is your best memory of OLHS?
Having a good laugh with the kids. Watching them learn and seeing their faces when the penny drops.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
No, I just fell into it!

How long have you been at OLHS?
2 months.

What are your plans after leaving?
Going on holiday. Off on holiday with my boys, then off to America with my beloved sweetheart
Possibly set up an internet business.

What will you miss most?
My second year class, because they’re great fun. Really nice kids.
My fourth year class. They’re really smart with lots of potential. I wish I could see them fulfil it, but unfortunately I can’t.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a teacher?
Do it, it’s cool!
Don’t do it if you don’t really like kids. Follow your own heart to what makes you happy.

Who was your favourite person to work with?
Mr Hare. He’s excellent to work with.

Would you come back if you had the chance?
Without hesitation.

Last words?
Stay cool. stay happy, relax and have a great time.

Interview by Sarah Lennon.

Have you enjoyed teaching at OLHS?
Yes, it’s been fantastic

What is your best memory of OLHS?
That’s a hard one, retiring haha

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
Yes, being a teacher is extremely rewarding

How long have you been at OLHS?
38 Years in total

What are your plans after leaving?
Drive my motorbike up and down the country

What will you miss most?
I think mainly the colleagues, their characters are great and some of the pupils too. They’re all great

What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a teacher?
Learn some maths. Learn to sing and dance (laughs). Don’t be a maths teacher (haha). Try to see the good in everyone.

Who was your favourite person to work with?
Oh can’t tell you that one

Would you come back if you had the chance?
Only to help out – if there was a need for me

Last words?
It has been very satisfying working here at Our Lady’s High School

Interview by Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid.

Have you enjoyed working at OLHS?
Yes, absolutely!

What is your best memory of OLHS?
Oh gosh, the Guys and Dolls show, it was brilliant!

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
Yes, for as long as I can remember.

How long have you been at OLHS?
17 years – before you were born (laughs)

What’s the best thing about being a teacher?
Having long holidays to chill out after a hard year. Working with young people keeps you young – in mind, anyway!

What will you miss about OLHS?
The people, both staff and pupils. I’ll miss not having any two days the same, everyday is a new challenge.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to be a teacher?
Don’t take yourself too seriously and wear comfy shoes. Go to France for your holidays.

Who was your favourite person to work with?
I couldn’t say. I have enjoyed working with everybody, especially Modern Languages colleagues. Mrs Fitzpatrick always makes me laugh.

Would you come back if you had the chance?
I hope to be too busy having a good time to think about work, but if I was coming back to work it would definitely be OLHS.

Last words?
Au revoir et merci!

A number of staff are leaving Our Lady’s at the end of this term. Some are retiring, some are moving on to new posts, some will be back.

We tried to interview all of them…