HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL

The Sports Scotland Gold School Sport Award has been awarded to Holy Cross High School. This is a tremendous achievement for our school as we are one of only six schools in Scotland to have been presented with such a prestigious award. Pictured above from left to right are: Kathleen Toolan, Sports Vice Captain, Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Stuart Harris, CEO Sports Scotland, John Reilly, Head Teacher, Tony McDaid, Head of Education Robbie Stewart, Partnership Manager, and Nathan Allison, Sports vice Captain.

Sports Captains Olivia Baillie and Liam Coakley fly the flag with Mr Tony McDaid, Mr John Reilly, Mr Jamie Hepburn and Mr Stuart Harris.

SESSION – 2014/2015 ISSUE 6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL

STRIKES GOLD!

Bridget Mathieson-McLaughlin, Active Schools Coordinator and Bethan Goodwin of S4

To gain the award, the school was put through a rigorous verification process including interviews with staff and young people, observation of lessons in the Physical Education Department, interviews with our sports council and sports leaders and interviews with senior staff including Mr Reilly. Our partner agencies were also intensively involved, in particular our Active Schools Co-ordinator Bridget Mathieson-McLaughlin, who does such a tremendous job for the school. Once the verdict had been made known, it was ‘hush-hush’ until the official announcement on Wednesday 25th February, and the celebrations could really begin! The award is also a great compliment to the work done over many years by the staff in our PE Department. In Holy Cross High School, we believe Physical Education is a lifeskill and a key part of a young person’s health and wellbeing. All of our young people enjoy taking part in the variety of sporting activities that are on offer to them. We are confident that their positive experience of physical activity at school will remain with them throughout their lives. Consequently, their physical and mental health and wellbeing will be all the better for it.

The Theme of Catholic Education Week this year was:

‘Proclaiming the Joy of the Gospel’

……and that’s exactly what our young people and staff did throughout all of our partner parishes. Covering, Our Lady & St Anne’s Hamilton, St Bride’s Bothwell, St John’s Blackwood, St John the Baptist Uddingston, St Mary’s Hamilton, St Mary’s Larkhall, St Patrick’s Strathaven and St Paul’s Whitehill; our young people and staff took part in the Liturgy in each parish on the weekend of 14th/15th February. May I thank all who took part, and thank all of our parish priests for their welcome and encouragement: Fr Doyle, Fr O’Brien, Fr Thompson, Fr Towey, Fr Devine and Fr O’Farrell

On Wednesday 25th February at Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral in Motherwell, the Annual Mass for all those involved in education took place. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Toal and concelebrated by clergy from across the Diocese, including our own School Chaplin Fr Paddy. Representing Holy Cross High School were Mrs McLaughlin, Ms Cleary, Ms McVey and Mr Reilly; and 17 of our 5th and 6th year students who were a credit to the school.

As you know, Wednesday 15th February was Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. All of our young people received their Ashes at one of four special services, led by Fr Duffy, who was assisted by many of our Caritas Students. Fr Duffy emphasised the three pillars of Lent:

PRAYER : FASTING : ALMSGIVING Daily Mass will be offered by Fr Duffy every morning at 8.25 am in the School Oratory; and already we are delighted to see so many of our young people present. Our Lenten Charities drive is already underway. Our Four Charities this year are: SCIAF, LET THE CHILDREN LIVE, FAIRTRADE, and CHAS Each RE class has been issued with the SCIAF wee box, that through our actions we may affect BIG CHANGE. For every penny raised the UK Government has pledged to match it…..what a great incentive. Throughout the Season of Lent we look forward to many events which will raise funds for those less fortunate than ourselves. Our Easter Schools Programme of targeted revision for our young people in S4, S5 and S6 will take place on Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th April. More details will be issued when the programme is finalised in the near future.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

ANNUAL EDUCATION MASS

ASH WEDNESDAY/LENT/LENTENCHARITIES

EASTER SCHOOLS

On Monday 16th February, our annual disco/party for the Motherwell Alma Clubs took place in the school. Once again our young people in sixth year, and our staff planned and organised an excellent evening which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Fr Paddy, once again, was in DJ mode mixing the discs and playing an excellent set.

Motherwell Captain, Stephen McManus took the time out of a very busy schedule to be with us this year – delighting all present.

May I thank all of the Alma staff for their support and we look forward to doing it all again next year.

ALMA DISCO

Two of our sixth year students, Lindsay Ferguson and Laura Boyd, took part in the Auschwitz Experience which includes a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, the largest of the Nazi death camps. The girls were so moved by their experience, that on their return, they contacted - through the Holocaust Memorial Trust – a Holocaust Survivor, Joanna Millan, and invited her to address 5th and 6th year students at Holy Cross High School, in order that all students could share something of their experience. Such was the demand; the event was moved to the Town House in Hamilton. Joanna Millan had the audience spellbound as she recounted her personal experience. It was a fantastic experience for all present. Pictured below are Lindsay and Laura with Joanna Millan.

The previous evening, Lyndsay and Laura had taken part in South Lanarkshire Council’s Holocaust Memorial Event at John Ogilvie High School. Also taking part were Lucie Asken and Olivia Jackson who delivered an excellent presentation of their experience on a recent trip to Berlin. All four girls have been simply outstanding in the way in which they have represented Holy Cross High School. Joanna Millan with Mrs Pam McDade, Mr John Reilly, Mr Martin Donnelly and Mrs Isobel MacDougall

HOLOCUAST MEMORIAL EVENTS

Since our return in the New Year we have had the following Parents’ Evenings:

S2 Options Information Evening

S3 Parents’ Evening

P7 Parents’ Evening All have been a tremendous success, borne out by the fantastic attendance and extremely positive feedback received on the night. We certainly appreciate all of the support we receive from our parents; and we look forward to enhancing our partnership working with parents in future. Our Parent Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Holy Cross High School at 7.00 pm. The Parent Council do a fantastic job for the school, and are always open for new members and new ideas. Fundraising is one area where the Parent Council are particularly active – but are always looking for more volunteers to assist: The next fundraising event is: Bag packing at Marks & Spencer’s Hamilton on Saturday 28th March 2015. Anyone who can give up 1 hour of their time to pack some bags, please contact: justine.docherty1@btinternet.com From Monday 2nd March there are only: 30 School Days until the beginning of the SQA Examinations. S4, S5 and S6 have all had their Prelim Examinations, the result of their examinations, and their final report. Supported-Study classes are taking place in most subject areas across the school, some at lunchtime and some after school. Please ensure your child attends these classes. An Easter schools Programme will take place in the first week of the Easter Holidays. More information about this will be issued in the near future. This is a crucial time for all of our students in the upper school. Classwork : Homework : Revision : Study is the order of the day; and, of course, plenty encouragement every step of the way. We want all of our young people to perform to the very best of their ability.

PARENTS’ EVENINGS

PARENT COUNCIL NEWS

SQA EXAMINATIONS 2015

Once again, many thanks to all of our parents for your tremendous support for our uniform.

Our school uniform never fails to draw praise and attention, whether inside or outside the school. However, as you know, the uniform requires commitment, perseverance and dedication from us all – beginning at home when young people begin their journey to school in the morning; and continuing in school; where any items of non-school uniform must be removed inside the school building.

Please ensure that full school uniform is worn by your child every day:

School Blazer

White Shirt/Blouse

School Tie

Black School Trousers/Black School Skirt (appropriate length)

Black Shoes

If your child wears an outside jacket, over their blazer to school, the outside jacket must be removed inside the school building. The outside jacket can then be placed in your child’s locker, or carried.

Many thanks for your continued support.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

On Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th February, we had the honour of welcoming:

Monsieur Christophe Schuler from Reims in France.

Monsieur Schuler was part of a group of French educationalists who visited South Lanarkshire Council as part of an educational exchange.

Kieran McDade (pictured) welcomed our guest to Holy Cross High School, in traditional style.

Monsieur Schuler also visited our Kickstart Group, which included a breakfast of croissants and coffee; as well as visiting a number of classes. He was most impressed with our young people, and the ethos of our school.

INTERNATIONAL VISIT

Recently Miss Douglas' S3 Core class had a fantastic opportunity to take part in a gymnastics lesson taught by a Scottish Commonwealth gymnast. Through the Champions in School programme Miss Douglas applied to have an athlete come into the school and share their knowledge and experience of competing at a high level. The girls enjoyed themselves immensely and look forward to welcoming Amy Regan back again in a few months time.

Congratulations to Cavan Burns of 2F who plays in midfield for Rossvale Boys Club. After some very impressive performances for his club, Cavan was selected for the regional squad; which comprises the best players in Central Scotland. However, Cavan’s performance continued to be of such a high standard, that he is now in The Scotland Squad. An outstanding achievement. Well done Cavan!

CHAMPIONS IN SCHOOL PROGRAMME

CONGRATULATIONS: NATIONAL RECOGNITION

South Lanarkshire Council’s Instrumental Music service was delighted to host a ten piece brass ensemble from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to inspire instrumental brass pupils from across the local authority. Three brass pupils from Holy Cross attended the event at Cadzow Parish Church in Hamilton. The young people involved were Sean Watters, Michael Ferguson and Christopher Murray. The pupils had a fantastic day listening and performing.

From Left to Right: Sean Watters S5, Christopher Murray S3 and Michael Ferguson S4

From the 21st until 28th February, one of our S6 students, Paul Mulder took part in the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy in Alabama, USA. Paul participated in a variety of activities all designed to develop young people’s skills in confidence, leadership and decision making. One such activity was the simulation of the space shuttle launch in which Paul was given the role of CAPCOM (Capsule Co-ordinator). This involved, team work, problem solving and Paul directing instructions to the Commander via radio communication. An excellent experience which will last a lifetime. Well done Paul!

LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE VISIT: USA

SOUTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL’S INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SERVICE

DAY DATE TIME EVENT

Wednesday 4th March AM S2 Options Form Returned

Friday 13th March All Day Day Activities

Friday 20th March AM P7 Team Building Day

Monday 23rd March S3 Examinations Begin

Monday 30th March 7.00 PM S6 Leavers’ Mass

Thursday 2nd April 2.30 pm School Closes For Easter 2.30 PM

Should you wish to contact the school ……………… By phone: 01698 543450 email: office@holycross.s-lanark.sch.uk Follow us @holycrossham for the latest news and information on learning and events from our school or Comment in the space below and ask your child to return it to the school office.

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HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL