Guys and Dolls

Apologies for the delay, folks, but finally, for your delectation, the first batch of the long awaited Guys and Dolls photos. Enjoy.

 

WOSPEG

Report by Mr Law

The Our Lady’s High School Physics quiz team brilliantly buzzed their way into the semi-finals of the West of Scotland Physics Education Group, “Livewire”, quiz.  These mighty mental gladiators have taken a step on the way to emulating last years finalists.

Ciaran, “Buzzer”, Burns, Shaun, “Knowledgeable”, Nicholls, and Neil, “Gifted”, Gaittens opened up a massive lead over the High School of Glasgow, Boclair Academy, and Eastbank Academy, in the first round.  Lacking somewhat in stamina, under the enormous mental pressure of the assembled audience expectations, they were gradually pegged back over several rounds before once more opening up a respectable lead.  Yet again however they were reeled back in and finished level with Glasgow High … with a tie break in our favour.

Fortunately, as both teams progressed to the next round, no brawl ensued and no blood was shed.  Congratulations to all the teams involved, including contributions from a table thumping, tongue in cheek, “This is an outrage!”, contestant.

 

Coatbridge High School 1, Our Lady’s High School 5

Report by Mr Smith

29th September 2009

Our Lady’s under-18s took all three points in their first league outing of the season thanks to a much-improved performance from their Scottish Cup 1st round defeat two weeks ago.

After a scrappy start to the match littered with misplaced passes, Our Lady’s took the lead on 28 minutes when a clever dummy by Christopher Wilson allowed overlapping fullback Christopher Mulholland to bullet home from a tight angle.

Our Lady’s doubled their advantage soon after when a clever reverse pass from John Tempany was emphatically despatched into the top corner by Daniel Burns from 16 yards. However, a series of defensive lapses a minute before the interval allowed the home team’s number 7 to reduce the deficit to 2-1 after a series of defensive lapses.

Encouraged by their goal, Coatbridge laid siege to the Our Lady’s goal for the opening 15 minutes of the second half, forcing a series of corners which required some brave defending from the visitors. However, some excellent passing and movement in midfield and up front saw Our Lady’s regain control of the match, and a composed finish from Christopher Murray after some good work by Wilson effectively ended the match as a contest on 65 minutes.

Our Lady’s had time for two further goals – a 25 yard free kick from Burns for his second goal of the match, and an own goal scored by the Coatbridge number 4.

Our Lady’s: McGuire; Swinfen, Mulholland, O’Mara, Smith; Simpson, Tempany, Murray; McCluskey, Wilson; Burns. 
Subs: Donnelly, Ferguson, McGowan.

 

Visitors from Pistoia

Our Italian visitors have returned to Tuscany full of their Scottish experiences. Their enthusiasm for Scotland was so huge, they even bought kilts!

The group and their Motherwell twins enjoyed making shortbread and visits to St Andrews, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our Lifestyle Development Faculty taught them the Dashing White Sergeant and other Scottish dances, which they were able to put into practice at an evening ceilidh, while they showed off some Italian moves at a disco the following night.

One entire day was devoted to Language activities, with 6th year pupils acting as facilitators. Games included identifying Scottish places from photographs, pass the parcel (with forfeits), and a European quiz. The guests also learned some local banter, as they tried to match Scots and English phrases e.g. “Be quiet” and “Haud yer wheesht”.

Everyone is looking forward to meeting again in Italy next year.

 

St Andrew’s Hospice 6K Schools Road Race

 Report by Sarah Lennon and Collette Reid

Our largest ever group of pupils and teachers took part in this annual event, which sees volunteers from schools across Scotland either walking, jogging or running 6K for to raise money for St Andrew’s Hospice.

The event took place in Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, on Sunday 20th September 2009, starting at 10:30 am.

£44,000 has to be raised each week to help St Andrews Hospice provide their vital services. Therefore, this event helps raise money more quickly because of the amount of volunteers that take part.

We think that it was very beneficial to the Hospice and also to the volunteers to take part. It made you feel better in yourself because you were helping the Hospice  and doing something that could change lives.  To see over 2,000 volunteers attend was very moving for such a worthy cause.

 

Visit to Munch exhibition

Report by Ms Steinert

A group of 22 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils visited the Munch exhibition at Glasgow University’s Hunterian Gallery today. The exhibition featured many of the artist’s most renowned prints including “The Scream”, a black and white woodcut print that is an iconic image many people will know.

We were given special permission to sketch in the gallery and each pupil chose a print to study in depth and then produced their own version in pencil. Many of these drawings were exceptional and the pupils worked very hard to capture the Munch imagery. An exhibition of the pupil’s work will soon be on display in the Art Department for all to enjoy. Many thanks to the Hunterian, which gave the Our Lady’s group special permission to photograph the pupils at work in the gallery.

Afterwards the pupils viewed the Hunterian Gallery’s permanent collection and Mackintosh room before wandering over to the Hunterian Museum, where pupils became engrossed and fascinated by the work of Dr William Hunter and his wide-ranging collections which are displayed there.

Upper school pupils also took the opportunity to take photographs in the university’s atmospheric cloisters for their Higher Art and Design Expressive unit.

The visit was a huge success with many compliments from university staff and the bus driver on the pupil’s mature and enthusiastic behavior- well done!

 

Pistoia visitors

Plans are well under way to welcome our latest group from Pistoia, Tuscany.

Eighteen Italian pupils are being hosted by senior pupils and will enjoy a range of cultural, language and social activities, including visits to Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews, with discos and a ceilidh. One whole day is being devoted to language.

Pupils from Our Lady’s will return to Pistoia in February.

 

St Andrew’s Hospice

Sam Lavery, MBE, from St Andrew’s Hospice, spoke to S4, S5 and S6 to promote the work of the Hospice and encourage their participation in the 6K Road Race and Fun Run on Sunday 20th September.

 

Tinto fundraiser

Last May, a group of 1st year pupils, accompanied by some brave staff, climbed Tinto Hill to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice.

Many congratulations and thanks to all staff and pupils who contributed to this successful event which raised £700!!

 

After school clubs and football

The Faculty of Lifestyle Development are organising a number of after school clubs. Basketball and Dance will take place on Tuesdays, Badminton and Gymnastics on Wednesdays and Trampolining on Thursdays.

Anyone interested should see Mr Brogan for details.

Trials are also underway for the Under-14 football team. 32 applicants from 1st and 2nd year have tried out for selection so far. The final squad will be named in the near future. In addition, an interhouse football tournament is also being organised for 1st year pupils.