Visit from Frank Roy MP

Report by Mrs McManus
Frank Roy MP came in to talk to the 6th year Higher Politics class on Monday. Pupils enjoyed an hour discussing politics in the real world with Frank who gave good insight into the decision making process in government.

 

Trip to the Trenches

Report by Mr Smith

35 pupils from Our Lady’s High School travelled to Belgium and France during the final week of term to take part in a memorable World War One Battlefields Experience led by an excellent guide from Mercat Tours.

After an overnight ferry crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge, the group travelled to the southern lip of the Ypres Salient, visiting the small Belgian town of Messines and standing in the very room in which an injured Adolf Hitler was treated during the First World War. That afternoon the group donned their wellies to stand up to their knees in the mud of the trenches at Sanctuary Wood, and listened in awe to stories at the Pool of Peace, Hooge Crater and Hill 60, before travelling along the Menin Road, the scene of such bitter fighting as both sides battled for control of Ypres.

Day 3 was a full day visit to France and the Somme battlefields where drama and roleplay brought the horrors of the battles to life as the group toured Beaumont Hamel Ulster Tower, La Boiselle, Pozieres Ridge, Vimy Ridge and the Thiepval Memorial where two pupils laid poppies in memory of relatives who had been killed in action.

On Day 4 the group journeyed to the northern lip of the Ypres Salient to visit the Allied cemeteries at Essex Farm, Poelkapelle, Passchendaele and Tyne Cot, and the German cemetery at Langemarck before holding their own memorial service at the Menin Gate in Ypres. Here another pupil was able to leave a poppy as a mark of respect to a relative killed in action.

The final day was devoted to sightseeing and souvenir shopping in Bruges before the journey back to Motherwell. Throughout the week pupils also read poetry and sang songs from the period, climbed in and out of German pill-boxes and marched as soldiers, but most importantly were challenged to think, discuss and reflect on their experiences of an unforgettable week.

 

World War I website

There is a fascinating glimpse into the German trenches available at this site. Even more unusual is that the photographs are all in colour, taken by a German photographer called Hans Hildenbrand.

This site will be especially useful to anyone studying trench warfare for Standard Grade History, but it is a fascinating archive for anyone to see.

 

Secret Bunker

Report by Mrs Letham

The Social Subjects Department took a group of 34 S1/S2 pupils to St Andrews to visit the Secret Bunker.  We enjoyed finding out about the arrangements which had been put in place for important people in Scotland in the event of a Nuclear War.

Pupils also enjoyed speculating on what would have happened to the ordinary people of Scotland in the event of Nuclear War, and also where the secret hideout for “important people” is today! 

The weather was so good, we then went on to the beautiful coastal town of Anstruther where we were able to sample the local delicacies.  

 

Scottish Youth Parliament Elections

The Scottish Youth Parliament Elections are taking place all this week (20th-24th April). Pupils have a chance to vote during their Social Subjects classes in S1-5, with additional periods organised for 5th  and 6th year.  

The manifestos for each candidate are on display in the LRC. You can vote for TWO candidates. If you click on this link, you will reach the Young Scot voting page. You will need to log in with your Young Scot card number to see the candidates and to vote. Mrs Macfadyen has extra card numbers for anyone without a Young Scot card. Please see Mrs Macfadyen or Mrs King if you want more information. 

NB: You must CONFIRM your votes before leaving the Young Scot site or they will not count.

 

Frank Roy

From Mrs McManus

Frank Roy spoke to 3rd year and Higher Modern Studies classes presenting an interesting account of the wide ranging responsibilities of an MP in Westminster and in the constituency.

 

Mini trials

Report from Ms Newman

Nine Social Subjects pupils from Our Lady’s High School took part in a mini trial organised by the Law Society at Airdrie Sheriff Court.  The pupils involved were Lisa Rattigan, Julia Perrie, Paula-Jane Graham, Daniel Canning, Scott Clarke, Claire Friary, Lucy McCarron, Louise Murray and Sarah McKenzie. The mini trials are based on what actually happens in a Scottish Sheriff Court.

The pupils prepared and took part in reconstructions of two criminal jury trials.  Each pupil assumed a role: defence lawyer; prosecution lawyer; witnesses; jurors; and clerk of the court. The pupils convene the court, hear the evidence and return their own verdict – with the help of lawyers from the Faculty of Advocates, the Procurator Fiscal service and local solicitors.

The pupils from OLHS won both their cases and showed themselves to be confident individuals and effective contributors.

 

Mock elections

Congratulations to the candidate and party workers of  the Scottish Socialist Party, who won the Our Lady’s mock election last week.

 

Colin Fox

Report from Mrs McManus
The Leader of the Scottish Socialist party, Colin Fox, visited Our Lady’s for a question and answer session with Higher classes for Modern Studies and Politics.

By luck, our third year Modern Studies pupils are holding a mock election this week, so our pupils representing the Scottish Socialist party were also able to pick up some interesting policies.

 

Planes, trains and automobiles

The Social Subjects trip to London, 16th-18th June 2008.

On Monday 16th June, 33 bleary-eyed S4 pupils met outside the school gates for an action-packed 3-day trip to London accompanied by four members of OLHS staff – Mrs Letham, Miss Newman, Mr Smith and Mr Law. We headed by coach to Glasgow Airport and flew to Stansted Airport, where we took the Stansted Express then the London underground to the Hotel National in London’s Russell Square area. From there we headed by the underground (which would become very familiar over the next few days) to Knightsbridge to view Mr Al Fayed’s expensive merchandise in the world-famous Harrods store. The group then took in some of London’s famous sights, including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street.

Following an invigorating power-walk to the South Bank, led by our esteemed geographer Miss Newman, we enjoyed ice creams and a well-earned rest on the London Eye. Here we had the opportunity to view the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and Nelson’s Column amongst many of London’s other sights from the air. After dining in China Town, we made our way to Piccadilly Circus and spent an hour in the Trocadero Centre. However we did have a run-in with the fashion police here after almost the whole group decked themselves out in new hats!

On Tuesday morning we visited Covent Garden and were all impressed with the various stalls and activities to be found there. Another trip on the underground took us to the O2 Centre to visit the Tutankhamun Exhibition, where we were amazed at the artefacts on display – some of which were 3500 years old! In the evening we travelled to the West End for dinner and an evening in the Shaftesbury Theatre where we enjoyed a spectacular performance of Hairspray, starring Michael Ball.

An early rise on Wednesday morning allowed us time for breakfast in the hotel before we headed to Westminster to enjoy a tour around the Houses of Parliament. After visiting the Natural History Museum it was time to make the journey back to Stansted Airport for our flight back to Scotland. Exhausted, but having experienced a fantastic few days, all returned safe and well to OLHS around 9pm… still wearing the new hats!