Burke and Hare, Martin and Will

A group of 5th and 6th year pupils discovered a new graphic novel at Motherwell Library on Tuesday, when they encountered Burke and Hare, written by Martin Conaghan, drawn by Will Pickering.

Martin Conaghan first discussed comic book characters from the past and present, pointing out Lanarkshire success stories, and gave some good advice on keeping a share of the profits for any would-be authors and artists in the audience. He and Will Pickering then outlined the process of creating a graphic novel, from the highly detailed script, to the covers.

Will also explained the amount of research involved in this novel, which involved visits to locations, searching for contemporary portraits of the characters and examining old Ordnance Survey maps. Even the clocks drawn show the correct time!

Pupils were particularly interested to see the finished article and pored over the original A3 artwork. Questions at the end ranged from financial enquiries and careers advice, to requests for information on other work, both in art (Will) and on BBC Sport (Martin).

Everyone then headed downstairs to the main library to check out the graphic novel collection before walking back to Our Lady’s.

Copies of Burke and Hare are now on sale in bookshops or through Motherwell Library, price £13. If anyone is interested in purchasing a signed copy, please see Mrs Macfadyen.

 

Mock interviews

6th year pupils were lightly grilled today as they faced their Mock interviews.

To take part, pupils were given a deadline to apply and filled in forms, downloadable from the school website, which quizzed them about their qualifications, skills, experience and aspirations.

Many thanks to Shona Stirling from the Church of Scotland, Ross Macfadyen, National Councillor for the National Autistic Society Scotland, Laurence Mercy from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and and Dougie Semple from Strathclyde Police for kindly volunteering their interviewing skills, and thanks to Mrs Zambonini for her organisational talents.

 

Speed Networking

4th and 5th year pupils had the chance to visit a Speed Networking Event at Motherwell Civic.

The pupils split into groups and enjoyed  touring the stands and talking to training providers, Jobcentre Plus, Tree of Knowledge, Careers Scotland and voluntary organisations about their future job prospects. The event was organised as part of the More Choices More Chances strategy.

 

Mock Interviews for S6

Any 6th year interested in a mock interview should fill in an application form and deliver it to Mrs Zambonini by Monday 21st September.

Copies of the application form are available here on the school website along with useful guidance about the interview itself. Please note that the form cannot be filled in online, but must be downloaded and printed.

Interviews wil take place on October 8th.

 

Heading for college and university?

6th year pupils aiming to go to university next year have been meeting with Mrs Mulholland, Mrs Macfadyen and Principal Teachers of Pupil Support to organise their UCAS applications, discuss their plans and learn about the resources held in school to assist them. Our Careers Adviser, Ruth Robertson, has also been on hand to provide expert advice.

Upper school pupils have also signed up for the university open day of their choice, with pupils heading for Glasgow, Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian, Edinburgh and Stirling.

 

S5 Induction: Interview skills

New 5th year pupils learned how not to act in an interview, thanks to the English department. Principal Teacher, Mrs Millar, took the part of a gum-chewing, untidy, rude job applicant while the rest of the department took the role of the interview panel.

Pupils were asked to spot all the reasons why she wouldn’t be offered the job, before drawing up their own lists for more successful interviews.

 

S5 Induction: Careers

Report from Ruth Robertson

The Career Session for the S5 induction was centred on getting pupils to think in an enterprising way. Marion Russell and I asked each group to consider that they were running their own restaurant. The tasks included planning and costing a menu, thinking of their target market, devising a restaurant name and logo, and getting them to recruit staff for their business. There was an element of competition, with Mrs Mulholland judging the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place with unhealthy prizes of confectionary.

The pupils all showed great enthusiasm and produced some great ideas: definite entrepreneurs of the future I feel.

 

Science Connects

Report from Mr Law

On Monday 16^th March, many pupils from Our Lady’s High School were entertained and enlightened by visiting speakers arranged via the Science Connects team with funding from the Scottish Government. 

The Science and Engineering Ambassadors consisted of members of the public using science in their careers.  From Sports Science to Rocket Science via Engineering, these vibrant professionals shared information about themselves by answering a barrage of questions.  Considering that our second year pupils are currently considering option choices for the subjects they’ll study next year, the timing was ideal.  Several beaming youngsters have already enthusiastically explained about how they now know what they want to choose as a result of the interrogation.  Our first year pupils also benefitted from experiencing this activity.  Unsurprisingly, their questions were more varied, and included the possibility of zombies, “Won’t your head hurt ?”, and aliens, as well as the vast amount of more career pertinent questions.

Some of our third year students learned about the many old and new job prospects possible in the eco-friendly industries.  Careers Scotland conveyed information in a presentation entitled, “The Path is Green”.  They concentrated upon the need for renewable energy sources and a reducing reliance upon fossil fuels.  The subsequent fun, “Green”, quiz generated competitive rivalry and resulted in the first, and so far only, 100% correct answers from a team.  The two successful lads grinned happily as they clutched their 1GB memory stick prizes.

The Solar Car workshop was mainly for our Physicists.  After an introduction/reminder of the theory and technology, the students began building their model cars.  Wheels, cogs, gears and a motor were assembled in many weird and varied configurations including one that was identified as a helicar.  Making sure that the solar powered motor actually engaged with the appropriate cog or wheel in order to make the car move vied with sturdy construction techniques in order to produce a model capable of overcoming friction.  The two young ladies that seemed to struggle the most initially, proved clear winners in the race competition when the torch beam was shone upon their solar panel.  

The Colour Show clearly indicated how colour challenged we all are, or even colour blind.  Various demonstrations where red was green, white was black, and when dark was brighter than light, all helped us question our certainty about colour.  As each display illustrated the complexities involved in the vision that we so take for granted we began to increasingly respect our brain’s ability to interpret the vast amount of data that enters our eyes.

All in all this was an excellent day of information provision.  A superb effort from school staff to enable the smooth running to timetable, from school pupils experiencing the presentations, and from the presenters for providing such a varied and useful addition to the normal school teaching and learning.  Thanks to all concerned for a most entertaining day.

 

Ambassadors for Science

Report from Mr Law

On Monday 16th March, a number of special events are taking place to help pupils gain information about a career in Science. S1 and S2 will meet Science Ambassadors throughout the day, learning about their roles and responsibilities.

S3 pupils from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Art will also take part in a variety of activities, from talks about Green careers, Solar Car workshops, and presentations about colour.

 

Mock interviews

6th year pupils had the opportunity to take part in a mock interview this week.

Application forms asked about qualifications, work experience, personal interests and aspirations, which provided pupils with the chance of seeing how their current experiences could be useful for future career moves.

Many thanks to Mr Gerry Zambonini and Mr Ross Macfadyen for assisting with the interviews.