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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

M & Ds

S2 enjoy a reward day at M & D’s 

31 pupils from 2nd year had a great day out at M & D’s on Friday as a North Lanarkshire reward for positive behaviour, which includes attitude to work, homework and attendance. The sun shone all day and they had a brilliant time, very well deserved.

 

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.  

 

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.