Our Lady’s High School with its associated primaries has formed a Partnership with HeartStart UK, NHS Lanarkshire, and the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association. The signing ceremony, which took place at Our Lady’s on 1st February 2006, involved staff and pupil representatives from Cathedral Primary School, St Matthew’s Primary, St Bernadette’s Primary and St Brendan’s Primary as well as North Lanarkshire Council officers and our new Partners.

The schools have agreed to train pupils in Emergency Lifesaving Support (ELS). HeartStart UK are providing mannequins and equipment, while NHS Lanarkshire school nurses and St Andrew’s Ambulance Association will offer their technical expertise and ongoing support.

Each school received a framed copy of the Partnership document and a commemorative clock.

Present at the signing were Bernard Love, Lyn Zambonini, Mary Osei-Oppong, Hilda Anderson, Mhairi Cassidy, Paul McDonald (Our Lady’s High School), Michelle McMullan and pupils (Cathedral PS), Gwen Dickson and pupils (St Bernadette’s PS), Maureen McGhee and pupils (St Matthew’s PS), Alex Smith and pupils (St Brendan’s PS), Brenda Cotram (HeartStart UK), Marion McParland (NHS Lanarkshire), John Dorran, Tom Donaldson (St Andrew’s Ambulance Association), Jim Lawson, David Craig, Marie Claire Henry and James Lawson (North Lanarkshire Council) and Felix Mulholland (community representative).


S4 Outward Bound

Twenty-four pupils from fourth year have just returned from a one week Outward Bound Training Course at Loch Eil in Fort William. The pupils enjoyed many activities including designing their own raft, abseiling, night walks and crate stacking. The two groups of twelve were accompanied by teachers Mr Ross Meghan (Technical Department) and Ms Mary Lees (Maths Department). The pupils said they thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and feel they have gained much from the experience.


School Nurses

NHS Lanarkshire school nurses have been busy in the school demonstrating self examination to S5/6 pupils. The presentations involved video, a power point show and prosthetics to provide as much information to pupils as possible.


Careers

Ruth Robertson, Careers Advisor, has been providing expert information to S2 and S4 pupils regarding their forthcoming subject choices and future occupations. The pupils will shortly be selecting subjects for Standard Grades, Highers and National Qualifications and Ruth’s guidance has been extremely useful.

Ms Robertson also provides an opportunity for pupils to discuss matters individually at the Careers Surgeries, held at lunchtime on Tuesdays in the Library Resource Centre. Any pupil is welcome to drop in and ask her advice about jobs, qualifications and options.


Reading Trail Challenge

S1 and S2 pupils have now completed their Reading Trail Challenge. One pupil from each class (voted by their colleagues) accompanied Mrs Macfadyen (Library Resource Centre Manager) and Ms Frew (English Department) to Waterstones Booksellers in Glasgow last Thursday.

After their arrival and a warm cup of hot chocolate, pupils were despatched to choose books for the Library Resource Centre. With such a large selection available to them, pupils rapidly gathered a wide variety of titles and a considerable heap of paperbacks soon appeared, much to the amusement of other folk in the shop.

After lunch, pupils had the difficult task of finalising their choices to match the budget available to them. One last tough decision was achieved when each pupil was also allowed to select a book for themselves before returning to Motherwell. And their overall reaction: “When can we go again?”

The overall winning classes in S1 and S2 have yet to be confirmed.


Performing Arts

S4, 5 & 6 pupils are currently preparing for their Music practical examinations. These will begin on Monday 27th February. Pupils are asked to be prepared for this date and to check performance times.


Physical Education

The department has launched a number of trampolining clubs this term. S1 and S2 pupils can come along on Monday lunchtimes, S3 and S4 on a Tuesday lunchtime and S3, 4 and 5 on Friday lunchtime. Any interested pupils should see a member of the PE department.

Congratulations to Caylea Fraser (S3) who was invited to Stirling to take part in trials for the Scottish Girls under-15 football team. After sailing through two trials, Caylea unfortunately just missed out on a team place but well done on a huge achievement.