Our Lady’s High School news

May 13 2009 by Jean Ward, Wishaw Press

THE Guys and Dolls school show committee are planning some fundraising ventures for the near future, including a bring and buy sale, a Guys and Dolls day in school and a performing arts themed quiz night. There will also be a strudel and doughnuts event in the Citizens’ Cafe on the in-service day for staff. Meanwhile, staff and pupils are working away on rehearsals and stage design.

The stage crew are busily sourcing props; Ms Steinert and helpers are slaving away on the backdrop and the Technical Department are building the set. Mr Harkess is also turning his artistic talents to creating particular specialist items like a doorway for the nightclub and the sewer scene.

MORE congratulations to Our Lady’s Under-16 team for their success in the semi-final of the Lanarkshire Cup. Man of the match Kieran Kennedy scored twice with a further goal from Craig Queen in the 3-2 victory over Uddingston Grammar.

AND more congratulations again, this time to Reece McFadden, who won the WABA Gold medal in Swansea last weekend. Reece, who trains at the Forgewood Amateur Boxing Club, competed in the 38kg class for 13 to 14-year-olds.

THE school is very proud to report that Lenten Charities fund-raising has so far this year raised £3670, with further money to be handed in. HAlf of the total will be donated to SCIAF, and the remainder will be split between the various House charities. Ms Sneddon will be visiting our Ugandan partners in Kamwokya on a staff study trip over the summer and will present the raised funds to Francis Mbazira, Director of the Kamwokya Community. The funds will be used to help build a proper canteen for pupils who currently have to sit around on the ground for their lunch.

PUPILS from OLHS attended the Lanarkshire Activate Awards on April 24 at the GLO Centre in Motherwell. After receiving their certificates, the Activate groups went to M&Ds for the afternoon, which had been opened especially for them. Well done to the whole group for all their hard work over the year, and special thanks to Mrs Marion Russell, Activate Coordinator, for helping every pupil achieve a place in further education, training or employment.

EACH first year class has voted for their own winners of this year’s Reading Trail. Congratulations to Ross McQuade, Jay McMahon, Colette Wilson, Rhys Bevan and Nadia Warnock who were chosen for their hard work and effort throughout the Reading Trail last term. The overall class winners will be decided by an analysis of the completed work of each class.

SIXTH year pupil Christopher Tollan has been presented with the Bronze Award as Youthlink National Peer Educator of the Year for his work with Bothwellpark High School. While Christopher completed his work experience placement at Bothwellpark, he has continued to visit on his own initiative, and has been involved in many of their events, including Red Nose Day, sports days and assemblies. Bothwellpark nominated Christopher for the award. Brian Gilmour, Depute Head of Bothwellpark, noted that Christopher is “a friend to the pupils. He comes down from his own work whenever he can to help out, and even if he’s busy, he comes to say hello and see how they’re getting on.”

FIRST year pupils are preparing for their annual sponsored walk up Tinto Hill. The walk, to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice, is on May 28.