Science Centre

Report by Kishan And Aaron

On 24th of September all 1st year pupils went to Glasgow Science Centre.  We  arrived at about ten o’clock am and we went to the cloakroom and left our stuff there.

After this we had a look around the Science Mall and we had fun playing with all the inventions, and experiments, like the Hovering Ball, the Funny Mirrors, the Cycle Simulator and lots, lots more.

After 20 minutes of fun, we were escorted to the Imax Cinema to see Space Station 3.  It was about spacemen, how they train to go to space, and their journey there and back. It tells you about how they live in space, eat and drink and work.  But we were split up into two groups so the other group were at the Science Show.  Then it was LUNCHTIME!!!! (Yum yum!!)

After stuffing our face we were now going to the Science Show, full of Blood, Body Bits and Gore, all about our main organs – heart, brain, lungs and liver. (They even played ‘Beat It’ by MJ).

After coming out of that  revolting exciting show we got to look at more weird experiments. After lots of hand turning, dizziness and  exercise we went to the gift shop for 10 minutes, (buying lots of sweets and toys) it was then off home.

Over all it was a great experience for first year pupils and we wish it didn’t end!

 

Glasgow Science Centre

Report by Mrs Gallagher
First year had a very enjoyable and successful visit to the Science Centre in Glasgow on September 24th.

They had time in the Science Mall trying out lots of interesting experiments.

They participated in a live science show relating to the human digestive system and entitled, ‘Blood, bile and body bits’.

They also visited the IMAX Cinema where they saw either ‘Space Station 3D’ or ‘Under the Sea’.

Addition by Mrs Macfadyen

For a pupils’ report, please click here.

 

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!!

 

Welcome to Our Lady’s

The resplendent first years on their best behaviour ...

Welcome to all first year pupils!

Hopefully, you’re getting used to the variety of classes, finding your way around the school, and settling in to life at Our Lady’s.

A big thank you to all parents and guardians for your support of the school uniform policy. The pupils are looking resplendent in their full uniform as you can see.

Apologies to the 1st year class who missed out on having their photo taken. We’ll get you next time

 

Summer School

Twenty new S1 pupils took part in a highly successful summer school organised by Partnership Officer, Mrs Deborah King and staff from the school.

Pupils took part in a number of environmental and physical activities, working in the Sensory Garden, preparing their own lunches, and playing softball and Swedish longball.

Over the week, the group visited Strathclyde Park for kayaking and mountain biking, and Fordell Firs for caving and archery, before preparing a fabulous presentation lunch for parents and guests.

Thanks to our 6th year helpers: Craig Johnson, Colleen Walker, Olivia Carson, Colette Maguire, Natalie Tierney and Marie McInerney; and staff Mrs Deborah King, Mrs Mary Mulholland, Mr Brian Meehan and Mrs Lorraine McNeish.

 

Interhouse Athletics

Report from Mr Knighton

Results of this year’s Inter House Athletics Championships.

S1

• Columba (71 points)
• Sinclair (64 points)
• Andrew (56 points)
• Margaret (49 points)

S2

• Andrew (74 points)
• Columba (73 points)
• Sinclair (49 points)
• Margaret (42 points)

Combined result

• 1st Columba (144 points)
• 2nd Andrew (130 points)
• 3rd Sinclair (113 points)
• 4th Margaret (91 points)

 

Tinto Conquered

Bright, early and cheerful, we set out on a double decker bus to the Lanarkshire hill known as Tinto. The challenge was to raise money for St. Andrew’s Hospice. We had before us 2000m of steady incline, with several steeper bits to break up the delusions of adequacy. Separated into groups by pupil determination of how easy it would be to climb, each group set off with a member of staff accompanying them and a natural inclination to spread out. Sheepdog-like the staff kept them together and those pupils falling behind were readily integrated into the following group.

… and when they were up they were up, and when they were down they were down, and when I was only half way up I was an exhausted wreck and requiring oxygen. Fortunately our sturdy S1 pupils were mountain goat like in their cheerful enthusiasm … at least for the first few hundred metres. Then, “What ?”, “ There’s more ?”, and “Look sir, there’s clouds before we reach the top !”

Several times on the ascent, groups rested and enjoyed the scenery … or chatted about the myriad conversational topics that those of us over 16 find somewhat incomprehensible. Up into the damper mistiness we progressed, reduced chatter and steely determination becoming evident. Finally, scrabbling for breath on the gravelly slope, we reached the top!
Report from Mr Law
Well done Our Lady’s High, thank you St. Andrew’s Hospice for the chance to challenge ourselves.

 

Reading Trail Update

The 1st year Reading Trail is now at its halfway mark, with Team Supreme taking the lead, although The Thompson Terrors are close behind. The figures change with every Period as more books and mind-maps are completed and more feet added to the wall.

How many feet does your class have?

Each pupil has set themselves a target for a number of books to read before Easter, completing a mindmap for each book, and adding a foot to their class trail to mark that achievement. From this point on, the competition becomes more intense as classes leapfrog each other on a daily basis.

All five classes have now recorded more than twenty completed books, with many more pupils insisting that they have almost finished theirs. The final class winners will be selected not just on the number, but more importantly, the quality of their work, which so far this year, is extremely impressive.

• 22 Mitchell Crew: 29
• HYT: 30
• Team Sneddon: 25
• Team Supreme: 40
• Thompson Terrors: 34

 

2A on retreat

S2 classes have been enjoying retreats at Newmains Pastoral Centre, organised by PT Religious Education, Ms Monica Kane. Pupils were very excited as the white topped hills drew closer, and said that the snow was a bonus to the retreat itself.

As pupils are currently working on their Standard Grade options programme, the retreats have focussed on the unique qualities of each pupil, making choices, and the subsequent consequences.

Retreat report by 2A

We sat in Miss Kane’s classroom, waiting for the bus to whisk us away to the retreat in Newmains. Some people were excited but some weren’t. We all piled onto the bus.

We were asked to go into the same room that we remembered from last year. The sisters got all of us into groups and gave each group a clipboard. Sister Elizabeth put a picture of a baby on the projector and said we had to write down everything that the baby deserved in life and how to care for him/her.

Then it was break. Some of us played with the football and some of us played hunts.

After break we went back into our groups to fill in some worksheets. Afterwards we watched a kids’ cartoon which represented the idea that just because everyone else is doing something or wearing something doesn’t mean you have to as well.

Then it was lunch. We had sausage, chips and beans, and for dessert we had vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles. This was quite tasty! After lunch some of us played hunts again and some of us played in the snow.

In the afternoon we went back upstairs to have a debate about what you’d like to be and why, and that was the end of the retreat.

It was the best of the retreats so far.

 

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.