26th February 2007
Scottish Blood Transfusion Service

6th year pupils received a talk from the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service.

The speaker described the constituent parts of blood and how they can be used. She also provided reassurance for potential donors by providing a detailed outline of the process, including the necessary health precautions and what to avoid afterwards.

Finally, she provided stories from personal experience of how blood donors can help to save lives.

Pupils were given some leaflets for further information, including guidance on how to register as a blood donor, and when the Blood Transfusion Service would next be in Motherwell.

23rd February 2007
Soccer One

The Soccer One programme has begun at OLHS. The initiative, supported by the Bank of Scotland will create football teams for 1st year boys and girls. The plan is to develop the playing of football across Scotland at secondary level.

Coach Willie McNab will be training 18 boys and girls on Wednesdays after school over the next few weeks. North Lanarkshire are one of the three pilot authorities for this venture along with Glasgow and Edinburgh.

You can find out more about this initiative by visiting the SFA or North Lanarkshire Council.

23rd February 2007
Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association

Columba House donated £273.25 to the Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Association. The money was raised during Lent last year.

Former OLHS pupil, Brian Carroll from SMNDA, collected the cheque said, “it's great to see younger members of the community recognise the needs of people with MND. I hope pupils enjoy their time at school and leave with a positive attitude to the world”.

Fund-raising for SMNDA continues in OLHS as Mr Brian Meechan is collecting Smarties tubes full of 20p pieces. To encourage everyone to take part, Mr Meechan hands out the tubes with the sweets intact!

22nd February 2007
"To Kill a Mockingbird"

A group of pupils from 3rd year English classes visited the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh to see a performance of To Kill a Mockingbird.

English teacher, Ms Mari Sneddon, said, "it was really good and the pupils loved it. It's helping them a lot with redrafting critical essays on the novel. Some of the pupils found the story became alive for them, and they can understand it more."

20th February 2007
World Wide Quiz

Our Lady's High School entered two teams into the World Wise Quiz, organised by the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers.

Each team consisted of 3 pupils from S2, S3 and S4. Team A consisted of Jade Dollochin and Kirsty Findlay, captained by Luke Duncan. Team B was captained by Nicholas Murphy who was joined by Stephen McShannon and Rachell Liddell.

The two teams did well, showing tremendous geographical knowledge and map skills. One team came a fantastic 5th out of 14 and was just two points away from reaching the final. The other team came a creditable 9th place.

The winners on the day were Boclair High School who were hosting the competition. All the pupils enjoyed themselves, but are looking forward to getting in the final next year.

14th February 2007
Pistoia exchange trip

Our Lady's High School pupils enjoyed a trip to Tuscany at the beginning of the month. Accompanied by Modern Languages Principal teacher, Mrs. Mary McKeown, the OLHS group joined another four North Lanarkshire schools on the annual exchange to the province of Pistoia.

The group were treated to wonderful Italian hospitality from their partner families.

Two days were spent in the partner school, Instituto Forti, in Monsummano, learning a little about the Italian education system. The Scots were pretty sure they wouldn't like going to school every Saturday morning.

There was plenty of time to visit the local surroundings, including the renowned Grotta Giusti spa and the village of Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci.

The major of Monsummano, Giuliano Calvetti, hosted a reception to welcome the North Lanarkshire group in the town hall and presented them with gifts. A highlight for many was the day trip to Viareggio and the famous Carnevale with its marvellous floats and costumes. The Scottish visitors entered into the spirit with their waving saltires, which were very well received. There was also a visit to nearby Florence where some of the Italian school partners acted as tour guides.

The pupils are now looking forward to welcoming their Italian friends to Our Lady’s in September.

See the Modern Languages section of the website in the near future for more information.

14th February 2007
Viva Roma!

Pupils from Our Lady's High School and St Aidan's returned from their trip to Rome full of enthusiasm for their weekend.

Following an early rise for mass, the group went to visit the Vatican and were stunned by the vast enormity of the St Peter's Square. This was followed by a rare trip to the Scavii catacombs - a much sought after privilege.

Saturday was spent exploring ancient Rome, looking around the Forum, the Pantheon and the Colosseum, which was closed, much to everyone's disappointment.

However, on Sunday, the Motherwell group were part of a larger congregation being blessed in person by Pope Benedict XVI followed by a very moving candlelit version of Ave Maria.

On their final full day in Rome, the group visited Cardinal Winning's church, San Andrea delle Fratte, followed by the flight back to Scotland on Tuesday. The group are still revelling in their experiences, but don't want to see any pasta or pizza for a while.

A longer article on their visit is available here.

8th February 2007
Pilgrimage to Rome

6th year groups from St Aidan’s and Our Lady’s High School are spending a few days on pilgrimage to Rome. The group accompanied by staff from both schools and Father Stephen Millar, will receive a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.

The group are also looking forward to seeing the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Scavii catacombs and the Pantheon. One of their most intriguing trips will be to see “Midnight Rome”, after most tourists have returned to their hotels and the inhabitants of Rome can enjoy their city themselves.

Pupils raised all of the money required for the trip through several fundraising events. An exciting quiz was created by our 6th year pupils and very well attended. The group also took part in bag packing activities in Hamilton and Bellshill.

A copy of the quiz will appear on this website just as soon as I can figure out how to make it work!

7th March 2007
S1 Valentine Disco

The Valentine disco organised by 6th year pupils for 1st years was a huge success. “It was so good,” said one of the organisers, “there was a really good crowd and everybody had fun.”

The theme of the evening was “Masquerade” and prizes were awarded for the best masks. Congratulations to winning pupils, Deborah Ann Robertson and John Boyle.

Prizes were also awarded for the best dancers on the night. Winners could choose from a selection of non-alcoholic alcohol, soft toys and packets of sweets.

The 6th years also provided an excellent tuck shop, fruit punch and chocolate fountain. The hall was beautifully decorated and everyone enjoyed the atmosphere.

9th February 2007
Valentines again

OLHS pupils have an opportunity to show someone how much they care as 6th year pupils are selling roses to raise funds for their Leavers’ Dance in June.

The roses will be delivered individually to each person in class time, and pupils also have the option of having their beloved serenaded by romantic trio, Michael O’Brien, Paul Devlin and Laura Scott.

8th February 2007
Making Tracks

Pupils from Our Lady’s are helping out in a Lanarkshire fund-raising venture, creating an album at The Foundry studio. The album will consist of several tracks, made famous by the band “Blue”.

Two pupils from OLHS are working in partnership with Fir Park School in Project X. Mhairi Cassidy and Gemma Valente are managing and producing the track, which must remain a secret until the album is released.

2nd February 2007
Be whose Valentine?

6th year are continuing to raise funds for their annual Leavers’ Dance and yearbook.

On 7th February, the S6 are organising a Valentine’s disco for 1st year pupils. The theme is a Masquerade Ball, with prizes for the best mask.

Also on sale are their popular roses for pupils to send to their secret, or not-so-secret, Valentines.

1st February 2007
Special invitation for school band

Following their Gold award in Dundee, the band is thrilled to have been invited to perform at the International Wind Festival in Glasgow.

This prestigious event, organised by British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, is taking place at the RSAMD at the end of June 2007, and will feature bands from across the UK and Ireland along with musicians from around the world.

Our musicians are delighted by this opportunity, achieved by a small number of school bands. Further details are available from Ms McGowan, PT Performing Arts. The OLHS band will be involved in conducting master classes and performing new repertoire.

The band is also practising hard for their appearance at the National Concert Band Festival 2007 in Gateshead at the end of March.

1st February 2007
Oliver!

Following exhaustive auditions, staff and pupils are busy learning their lines for the school’s production of Oliver. Rehearsals are well under way for the show which will be performed in June.

More details will be provided closer to the event, but in the meantime, the school would love to hear from anyone who could assist with props or costumes for this ambitious production.

If you can help, please contact our Executive Producer, Mrs Mulholland on 01698 265191.

1st February 2007
Drama trips

Students studying Higher and Standard Grade Drama are heading out to watch the professionals this week.

Firstly, a trip to Oliver, performed by the Lyric Club at the Theatre Royal is the venue for S3 pupils as part of their folio work. They are joined by the principal cast of our own Oliver! who are eager to see the production on stage.

Secondly, the Higher class are visiting the Citizen’s Theatre to see The Crucible. This is an excellent opportunity for pupils to make comparisons following an earlier performance of the play in November.