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.

 

Italian shortbread

Our visitors from Tuscany had a treat on Tuesday when they learned how to make shortbread, courtesy of Mrs Zambonini (with much appreciated input from Mrs Stemplis and Mrs Flanagan).

Mrs Zambonini precisely measures the sugar for her shortbread - about a wooden spoonful.

Matteo - very proud of his baking.

The Italian pupils had a lot of fun and were extremely proud of their creations which were beautifully wrapped in cellophane and tied with a lovely wee tartan ribbon.

In fact, they were so chuffed that Mrs Zambonini even received an impromptu Italian song as thanks!

“Grazie, grazie, Signora Zambonini” (Translation available from Mrs Fitzpatrick.)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Oisin McGann

3rd year pupils have a special event on Friday afternoon when Irish author, Oisin McGann, arrives at OLHS to talk about writing and his latest book.

Mr McGann will talk to 3rd years in the school theatre, with time for questions afterwards. You can also buy a copy of one of his books and have it signed, if you want to. There is absolutely no obligation to buy.

If you already own one of Oisin’s books, feel free to bring it along and get it signed as well.

Oisin McGann’s website is here, and includes information about his novels, interviews, articles and writing tips.

Please see Mrs Macfadyen if would like more information.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Curriculum for Excellence

Report from Mr Love

Over the last two years, Our Lady’s High School has been putting in place changes linked to the national programme known as ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ (ACfE). This programme will improve the opportunities for all pupils by looking at the range of courses offered by schools, how they are delivered and taught, and how they are assessed.

At present, teachers are making sure that next year’s S1 courses will offer all pupils different ways to develop as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

Another way that helps pupils make more sense of their learning is to make sure that important topics are covered, not just in one subject, but across different courses. For example, pupils in Our Lady’s become familiar with a number of important international citizenship issues through the school’s long-standing partnership with the community of Kamwokya in Uganda.

Another area where the school is successfully using this whole-school approach is in the topical subject of health and wellbeing. In the last few days two groups from the Scottish Government and Learning and Teaching Scotland have visited the school see at first hand some of the work being done.

During the first visit, pupils demonstrated some of the different brain training skills that help them with their learning and also how they use their school diary planners to help them do this. In the second visit, key staff talked about how the school’s timetable and curriculum is planned to provide opportunities to teach health and wellbeing. Examples of staff planning workshops from a recent staff-training day were on display. Mrs Lyn Zambonini and Mr Stephen Brogan talked about how the new school department of Lifestyle Development combines Home Economics and Physical Education to help pupils see the links between fitness, healthy eating and physical and mental wellbeing.