Biggar High School Newsletter
March 2017 (2)
Employability Carousel
All S3 and S4 pupils were recently engaged in a series of taster sessions with employers
across a wide range of sectors of industry, the public sector and social enterprises.
In advance, pupils had nominated choices of sessions in sectors where they had an interest or
curiosity to find out more about the real life situations of careers in certain chosen fields and all
pupils had the opportunity to engage in at least five taster sessions where they had the chance
to meet with ‘experts’, listen to what their careers involved and then allowed discussion about
pathways, motivations, required qualifications etc. Our 31 ‘mentors’ included career specialists
in IT, Police. Care, the Music Industry, Forestry, the financial sector to name a few . . . .
The day also saw the ‘launch’ of our Careers Base- CIS Biggar- where pupils can now
undertake online research/ applications or access reading material to support careers choices
and pathways. Our sincere thanks to all our visitors for giving up their valuable time to support
our young people- it is much appreciated and the pupil feedback on the morning’s activities
was wholly positive.
March 2017 Parent News 2.
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‘Young Technologists’ Success
Our Technical department organised groups of Technical and Design students to attend a Rotary Club
Young Technologists’ Competition recently, hosted by Beeslack High School. Our Intermediate team
scooped first prize in their category- well done to Gregor Harley, Rebecca Rees, Lucas Morris and
Cameron McIntyre.
March 2017 Parent News 2.
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We took seven teams to the competition. The task was twofold- to create a design brief for a
pipeline clearing vehicle and then to build and test an actual model using only basic materials.
Teams spent the mornings working on the design brief of this real life scenario and then after
lunch created/ built their working models. In what has ‘traditionally’ been seen as a very ‘boyoriented’ subject activity what was most pleasing was that 70% of our pupils involved in this
STEM event were girls. All enjoyed the challenge and our thanks to the Rotary Club groups
involved for setting up this experience for our pupils.
Music Department Success
Members of the school senior vocal ensemble took part in the SLC Music Showcase at Hamilton
Townhouse last Thursday. This was an opportunity for the girls to work collaboratively with Hamilton
Grammar school’s vocal ensemble under the care and direction of Mrs McKirdy, the voice tutor. The
girls sang ‘Take Me Home’ acapella and it was a stunning performance. The girls should be very proud
of their talents. The whole night was fantastic, demonstrating the talent and commitment of youngsters
and the hard work of all teachers and music tutors from across the authority. The ensemble included:
Evie Cockburn, Brooke Harwood, Nicole Martin, Jessica Bell, Sophie Lawson, Feebi Robinson and
Hannah Ross
Well done girls!
The senior band of the South Lanarkshire Orchestral Society, featuring Jack Archibald, Jennifer Futty
and Helen Futty, competed in the final of the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth Concert Hall on
Sunday 19th March. The band achieved a Gold Plus award – a huge achievement and a great pay-off
for all their hard work!
In addition, Jennifer and Helen Futty competed in the James Waterhouse Piano Competition on
Saturday 18th March at Loretto School, Edinburgh. Both girls gave confident performances and Helen
was awarded first place in her class, competing against pupils from various schools including
Edinburgh’s two music schools. Well done ladies!
March 2017 Parent News 2.
More news on website front page and follow us on Twitter @biggarhigh . . . . .
CCI- Crowd-Funding initiative
S3 Pupils at Biggar High have been heavily involved in promoting a fund-raising initiative
supporting the provision of a community kitchen for Clydesdale. Launched recently, the plan is
to raise £15,000 to fully fit this kitchen space. Our students have been involved from the outset
in planning the publicity and structures for this fund-raising activity. All parents and carers in
the Biggar Learning Community are encouraged to find out more and, where possible, donate
to this more than worthy cause. You can donate via www.crowdfunder.co.uk and search for
CCI Community Kitchen: Growing Opportunities or follow CCI on Facebook and Twitter.
Let’s help CCI reach the planned total by the end of April!!
S2 Parents Evening Feedback
Conversations with parents about this consultation have been very positive. We trialled the
idea of giving parents/ carers a clipboard and a pro forma to write down key advice from their
child’s teachers about how best they could support their child at home. Amongst the positive
feedback outlining what parents attending liked were:
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That information given prior to evening and so parents expecting it to happen.
Work signed in English
Texts from Maths highlighting upcoming assessments.
Active Learn in Modern Languages
The criteria for awarding a merit in Geography.
As this was our first run through with this, we will evaluate fully and endeavour to spread
identified good practice across all subject teams. Parents attending did feel they were leaving
with something more definitive and useful than in previous consultations and this can only be a
positive in encouraging parental engagement in their child’s learning at home.
March 2017 Parent News 2.
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Capital Science
As you may be aware, our Science Department work with the Clyde River Foundation to run
the Trout at Transition every year as part of our first year Environment topic. This year we were
thrilled and excited to be selected by the Royal Society, London, to present our work to other
schools from across the UK- as well as esteemed British scientists- as part of an all-expenses
paid trip to London. The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent
scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
March 2017 Parent News 2.
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A group of keen S2 pupils worked at lunchtimes and at home for many weeks to prepare for
this exciting adventure- they had to design a power point and poster presentation as well as
developing and rehearsing a script to present to their audience. Unfortunately only 8 of the
team were able to go, but everyone’s input was greatly appreciated.
The conference was held in the Royal Society headquarters in London. It began with a
fascinating presentation from Professor Lucie Green, who talked about her research and work
into the study of solar physics. Our S2 team were up first to present- this did not phase our
group in any way! They provided an excellent talk on our ‘Trout at Transition’ project to 12
other schools as well as a poster presentation to 24 schools and special guests.
The group were given high praise on their work, how well they handled questions and how they
demonstrated a passion for the topic.
All students conducted themselves in a really responsible manner during the whole trip- for
some, this was their first visit to the ‘big smoke’. Pupils, Ms Owens and Mr Stevenson all had a
great experience at the Welcome Collection (looking at the study of Human Biology), on the
busy London underground tube and also a quick visit to Trafalgar Square.
A huge congratulations and well done to Harris Jack, Fin Laing, Jessica Lauder, Emma Orr,
Lily Paterson, Calla Sutherland, Nathan Tennant and Mollie Thomson-Chittock, Molly Green,
Kai McAlroy and Piotr Sobczak.
RUGBY SEVENS- another trophy for the cabinets!
At the recent Rugby Sevens tournament at Duncanrig High School in East Kilbride our two
boys’ teams worked their way through to the final with our B group winning 21-10 in a hardfought, but friendly final. Over to Rory McGinn, B team captain for the bragging rights . . .
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March 2017 Parent News 2.
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Cross Country Success!
Ongoing successes for our junior and senior teams in the recent South Lanarkshire Schools
Cross Country. Once again Biggar’s medal haul was the highest across the other 16 schools
and our points total of 48 points exceeded second placed Stonelaw (38) and Cathkin (24)!
A fantastic achievement by all our participants who supported each other magnificently
throughout the day.
Congratulations to:
S1 Girls’ Team Bronze: Alexandra Phillips/ Niamh Cairns/ Anna Baillie/ Harriet Neville
S1 Boys Individual: 2nd Place, Charlie Walker; 3rd Place, Ben MacBride
S1 Boys’ Team: 2st Place- Charlie Walker/ Ben MacBride/ Lewis Robertson/ Rory Hill
S2 Girls’ Individual: 3rd Place, Leah Keisler
S2 Girls’ Team: 1st Place- Leah Keisler/ Katie Foss/ Cala Sutherland/ Emma Orr
S2 Boys Individual: 2nd Place, Michael Glen.
S2 Boys’ Team: 1st Place- Michael Glen/ Fraser Simpson/ Euan Lang/ Erland Clay
S3 Girls’ Team: 2nd Place- Ella Cowans/ Stephanie Ogg/ Abigail Clark/ Eva Baillie
S4-6 Senior Boys’ Team: 2nd Place- Alexander Toal/ Finn Henderson/ Shane Bollan/ Greig
Mackie
March 2017 Parent News 2.
More news on website front page and follow us on Twitter @biggarhigh . . . . .
Clydesdale Sports Council Awards
More success for Biggar High young athletes in the Clydesdale Sports Council Awards night held in
Cartland Bridge Hotel, Lanark recently.
Awards won are as follows:
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Sporting Secondary School of the Year – Biggar High School
Distinction Award – U18 Girls Rugby Team, Scottish Champions
Distinction Award - U13 Girls 4x100 Relay Team
Distinction Award - Cross-Country and Athletics Team
In addition, former pupil and Scottish Netball star Emily Nicholl was runner-up for Senior Female Sports
Personality of the Year and… last, but by no means least . . .
Our very own Mrs Fiona Thomson won Volunteer of the year – a fitting accolade in recognition of the
great work she has done with extra-curricular provision, in particular our Dance Shows.
March 2017 Parent News 2.
More news on website front page and follow us on Twitter @biggarhigh . . . . .
March 2017 Parent News 2.
More news on website front page and follow us on Twitter @biggarhigh . . . . .