December 2015 - Sgoil Lionacleit

Sgoil Lionacleit News
2015
Christmas Concert
December 201
5
HEAD LINES FROM
Mr Miller MacDonald
Photographs by Donna MacLeod
The Uist community’s commitment to the school
ensured that the Christmas Concert was sold out again
this year on the night of Monday 14th December. The confidence of pupils across all year groups was
demonstrated throughout the evening as they skilfully exhibited their musical talent. A welcome
addition to this year’s event was a fundraising interval during which tea and scrumptious baking was
served in return for generous donations from the audience. The funds raised from the teas and ticket
sales totalled £800 and will go towards the purchase of AccuVein devices for community nurses in the
Western Isles, an initiative started by the late Iain Morrison of Lewis. Many thanks to all who attended,
donated exceptional mouth-watering baking, helped out on the night and gave donations. Many thanks
also to Mr Gillies and Mrs MacDonald for organising the event and
nurturing the musical talent of the Sgoil Lionacleit pupils.
Pictured above. Top row: SL Choir. Second row: David Bird; Niall Walker; SL
Pipe Band drummers and pipers Chloe Humberstone, Marco MacDonald,
Kayreen MacLeod, Liana Steele, Domhnall Ban MacDonald and Sheena
Peteranna. Third row: S4/S6 Band Roddy Thompson, Calum Craib, Rachael
MacDonald, Cailean Martindale and Heather MacKinnon; S1 dancers Isla
MacDonald and Elisa Morrison. Bottom row: S1 singing and ukulele group;
S2/S3/S4 Band Ruairidh Gray, Niall Walker, David Walker and Joanna
MacDonald.
Piping Success
Congratulations to Calum Craib (pictured right) who gained 1st
place in the Juvenile Piobaireachd at the Scottish Piping Society
of London competition on Saturday 31st October 2015 held at
Kensington Conference & Events Centre, London.
Our Christmas celebrations got
off to a fantastic start on the
evening
of
Monday 14th
December, with an excellent
concert
showcasing
the
accomplished
and
talented
pupils of Sgoil Lionacleit. I wish
to pay tribute to the professional
way in which pupils moved from
one role to another - as
performers on stage and then
serving
members
of
the
community in the Cafeteria.
Sgoil Lionacleit is grateful for
the ongoing support it receives
from local businesses and the
wider community. Recently the
school received a generous
donation
of
£1000
from
MacLennan’s
supermarket,
through their funding scheme
“Making a difference locally.”
The money will assist with
transport costs for school trips.
Skills Development Scotland
have informed us that all pupils
who left Sgoil Lionacleit in the
summer 2015 are in work, in
training or in further or higher
education. Next term on the 9th
February the school will be
hosting a Careers Convention to
inform pupils about different
career opportunities available to
them. There will be delegates
from over 40 organisations
attending this event.
Tha mi a’ guidhe Nollaig
Chrìdheil
agus
Bliadhna
Mhath Ùr dhan a h-uile duine.
ation
School Contact Inform
er MacDonald
Head Teacher, Mr Mill
becula
Sgoil Lionacleit, Ben
5PJ
Western Isles, HS7
,
Tel: 01870 603690
@gnes.net
Email sgoillionacleit
leit.org.uk
http://www.sgoillionac
There were two main reasons why I gave a talk about Help for Heroes to
the S1 and S2 assembly on Wednesday 11th November .
One reason is that I feel very passionate about helping our Armed Forces
and one way I can do this is by supporting them and talking to others
about Help for Heroes. Help for Heroes is a charity that provides better
facilities for British servicemen and women who have been wounded or
injured in the line of duty.
The other reason is that I think we should remember the living as well as the fallen from World War I
and World War II and other conflicts, this is why I gave the presentation in the run up to Poppy Day.
Christopher Palmer S5
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
ch Placement
Nuffield Resear
Last summer I spent four weeks at
Glasgow University working with Dr.
Stuart Nicklin of the Institute of
Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences,
investigating the effects of Angiotensin
-(1-7) on vascular smooth muscle cell
proliferation.
While it may seem
boring, it gave me the chance to
experience what it’s really like to work
in scientific research.
I got the opportunity to culture cells
taken from human veins, and to stain
some mouse vessels. This was an
amazing opportunity as not only did it Pictured above: Christopher Palmer S5,
give me the experience of working in a giving his presentation to S1 and S2 pupils.
real lab but it also allowed me to go and RAISING FUNDS FOR GEMMA
stay on the mainland for the summer.
AND ST JEROME’S
Pictured above: S6 pupil Rachael MacDonald receiving her award
At
the
end
of
my
placement
I
had
to
from Head Teacher Mr MacDonald.
produce a scientific report and poster
which I then went on to present at a celebration event in Edinburgh.
As a result of my report I was awarded a Gold Crest Award that was presented to me by Head Teacher
Mr MacDonald during an assembly in November. I would recommend a Nuffield placement to anyone who
is considering going on to study a science as it gives you a real insight into what is really involved.
Rachael MacDonald S6
A group of 13 pupils from S4/S5 have
recently signed up for an opportunity to
travel to Southern Tanzania in
Southern
Africa
through
World
Challenge. This once in a life time
experience will include trekking,
camping, volunteering and the chance
to experience a different culture.
Part of the challenge is for pupils to raise funds for part of the trip
themselves through individual and group fundraising activities. The
group will travel to Southern Tanzania in the summer of 2017 and
between now and then they will be holding various different
fundraising events. There was a coffee morning in the school on
Saturday the 19th of December to kick of our whole group
fundraising. Thanks to all that came and to those that helped out.
http://www.world-challenge.co.uk/school-expeditions
Fiona MacDonald S5
On the 30th September our S1 RE class (pictured above) held a bake sale in
the courtyard at morning break. We took part to raise money for Gemma
Steele’s orphanage in Kenya. We wanted to help poor people who really need
our help. Gemma then came in to the school and gave us a talk about her
orphanage, about what it’s like there and how many children there are. We
gave her a cheque for £200. In the picture above you can see Gemma (far
right) getting the cheque. For further information about the orphanage please
visit: www.stjeromescentre.org.uk
Matthew Morrison S1
cil
2015/16 Pupil Coun
The new Pupil Councillors are
pictured left with their S6 senior support
team: Paul Morrison, Carrie MacDonald, Iain
MacPhee and Rachael MacDonald.
Pictured left back row: Hugh Paterson S4,
Daisy Melnyczuk S6, Paul Morrison S6,
Carrie MacDonald S6, Iain MacPhee S6,
Rachael MacDonald S6, Neil MacMillan S6,
Catriona MacLeod S5.
Front row: Isla MacDonald S1, Andrew
Muncaster S2, Roslyn Palmer S3, David
Alexander S3, Katie Walker S2, Ben Scott S1.
Not Pictured: Kara Creighton S4 and Dean
MacInnes S5
Page 2
STEM Club Rampages On
Despite some setbacks due to poor weather and absence, the Science
Technology Engineering and Mathematics Club continues to work on their
'Rampaging Chariots'. Pupils have been building a working, radio
controlled robot to take part in a series of challenges and have been
learning about programming, control and electronics in a variety of tasks.
The group is led by Mr Howard Manning from QinetiQ and supported by
Mr Fraser in the Technical department every Friday afternoon. The team
is making good progress with the robot and hope to have it up and
running for testing in the New Year. Their aim is to compete in the
Rampaging Chariots, Scottish Robotic Games in Glasgow in June 2016!
Pictured Right: Ryan MacIntyre S1, Matthew MacDonald S1, Ailig MacDonald, David Bird,
Luke Aucott, Angus MacDonald. Not Pictured: Calum MacMillan S1, Neil MacMillan and
mentor Calum Aucott S5
Cinema Trip - A Break from the Norm
S3 Construction
On the 18th November the whole of S2 went to
Industry
see the film ‘Paper Planes’. The screening of this
Workshops
film was part of the Into Film Festival. We all
walked over to the Screen Machine on a wet and On
Wednesday 2nd
windy November day. It was good to settle
December, all of S3 took
down in the comfy theatre seats and enjoy a
part in a series of
break from the normal school routine.
ft
Out On the Cro
Bakesale Bonanza
On the 7th of October 2015 the S3 crofting class held a bake sale
in the covered courtyard to raise funds for their trip to the Royal
Highland Show in Ingliston Edinburgh, at the end of June 2016.
The crofters baked cakes to bring in and staff generously donated
some cakes too. We also had a guess the number of sweeties in
a jar which went to the lucky winner Isolde Wood in S1.
Delicious cakes were sold for 50p and the guess the number of
sweeties in a jar was 20p for each guess. Overall we all enjoyed
the experience and managed to sell most of our yummy cakes
raising a total of £136.07 to put aside for the show.
Isobel Paterson and Rosslyn Palmer S3
Crofting Calendars
The S3 crofting class have also designed calendars to raise
funds to go to the Royal Highland Show. They will be on sale
from the School Office, in Puffin Studio Crafts and in other places
around the islands. They will be on sale for £7.99 each. This
unique calendar contains beautiful pictures of island life, photos
of animals on the croft as well as dazzling views from around the
islands and many more stunning photos taken by the pupils. Two
of the calendar pictures are seen below.
Mary MacDonald and Jessica Kemp S3
workshops
centred
Cador Wood around
employment
opportunities
in
the
Celebrity Good Food Experience
Construction
Industry.
Fourteen Skills for work Hospitality pupils Mr Billy Skinner, a
travelled to Glasgow on Friday 6th November representative from the
Industry
to see Great British Bake Off presenters Mary Construction
Board,
Berry and Paul Holywood at the BBC Good Training
Food Show event where they created delicious conducted presentations
healthy and seasonal dishes in the live and activities with the
Supertheatre.
pupils.
Everyone
The pupils (pictured below with Mr McFadzean worked in groups to
and Mrs Beaton) were able to pick up some solve building challenges
top tips and get plenty of culinary experience. and gained some insight
There were over 150 exhibitors at the show into what careers are
which gave pupils the opportunity to sample a available to them in the
variety of Scottish produce and be inspired by Industry. Our pupils had
demonstrations and gastronomic ideas.
a good time trying to
The S3 and S4 pupils raised revenue for the solve the challenges in
trip through a variety of fundraising activities their teams with the
including staff v pupil football competition, bag winning
team
being
packing at the Co-op, raffle, bonus ball and rewarded
for
their
bake sale. Other generous sources of funding efforts.
and support came from: C.N.E.S Developing the
Young Workforce funding; Co-chomunnn Eirisgeidh;
Kallin Seafood; Dark Island Hotel; Stepping Stone Restaurant; Lochboisdale Café;
MacLennan’s Supermarket; Daliburgh and Creagorry Co-op; parents and staff.
Grateful thanks to all!
Page 3
Football Highs & Lows
Sgoil Lionacleit young
footballers have been
busy at home and
away. Accompanied
by Mrs MacLean,
Junior boys (pictured
left)
travelled
to
Portree recently but
were
defeated.
However,
when
Castlebay junior boys
came
to
Sgoil
Lionacleit our teams
triumphed. Thanks to
coach Harry Luney for Airson dà mhìos, bha am buidheann
his support with the againn ag obair air a’ fiolm a
phlanadh agus choinnnich sinn a hboys team this year.
Earlier this term Sgoil Lionacleit Girls played a friendly football match
against Barra Girls on the astro turf pitch at Lionacleit. It was great to
have them over and to practice our football skills with them. We did a lot
of training leading up to this game. The final score was 20 - 3 to
Lionacleit Girls. We would love to have Barra back over again sometime
in the future to play another friendly match. We would like to thank coach
Mary Anne Campbell for all her help with the training and organising this
game for us.
Marion MacCorquodale S2 and Kyla
ARDS
REHIS AW
uile Diardaoin. Bha pàirt aig a h-uile duine, eadar actadh,
fiolmadh no an sgriopt a sgrìobhadh. Bha measgachadh de sgoilearan anns
a’ bhuidheann, bho S1 suas gu S4, fileantaich agus luchd-ionnsachaidh. ‘S
e Cliù an cuspair a th’ ann am blaidhna. Rinn sinn am fiolmadh ann an Loch
Aoineart air 25 an t-Samhain agus fhuair sinn cuideachadh bhon
choimhearsnachd. Tha sinn a-nis air a’ fiolm a dheasachadh. Tha sinn a’
toirt taing do Phòl Steele agus Mairi Anna Chaimbeul airson ar
cuideachdadh.
The group spent two months planning the film, and we met up every
Thursday lunchtime. Everybody had a part, whether it was acting, filming
or writing the script. There was a mix of pupils from S1 to S4, some were
fluent Gaelic speakers and others were learners. Fame/Renown was the
theme for this year’s competition. We spent a day filming in Loch Eynort
on the 25th of November and some people from the community helped
out. We have now edited the film and we are looking forward to hearing
how we get on. We are very grateful to Paul Steele and Mary Ann
Campbell for helping us.
Maryrose NicIosaig S3 agus Georgia Nic a’ Mhaoilein S3
Pictured above. Back row: David Bird, Anna Campbell Maryrose MacIsaac, Maria
McGoldrick, Georgia MacMillan, Kara Creighton, Floraidh Gray. Front row: Jessie
Coldwell, Mairi MacMillan, Rosslyn Palmer Inset: Paul Steele and Marc Lindsay
Congratulations to Liana Steele, Eilidh MacPhee, Marc Lindsay, Kirsten
Beaton and Catherine MacDonald (pictured above) who recently
attained thier REHIS Food Hygiene certificates. Thanks to Esther Air an 3mh latha den tMacDonald who ran the course and to Alasdair MacEachen for Samhain chaidh sinne,
arranging the funding.
Joanne Laing agus Marion
Panto Season - Oh yes it is!
Pictured above are the cast and crew of this year’s Uist Youth Theatre
Pantomime,
Cinderella,
in
collaboration
with
Sgoil
Lionacleit.
Congratulations to all for another seasonal extravaganza. A huge thank you
goes to everyone that contributed their talent and expertise and to our
audience whose raucous participation helps to make the show such a
success. (Absent on the day of the photo Amelia Lane and Emma Monk)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
 School Christmas Assembly




Tuesday 22nd December
11.00am
School Closes for Christmas
Tuesday 22nd December
School Opens
Thursday 7th January
Evening
S3 Parents’ Evening and Choices
uary
Jan
h
13t
Wednesday
S2 Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 26th January
Gaelic Debate
NicCorcadal
a
Steòrnabhagh airson an
Deasbad Nàiseanta Alba.
Chaidh sinn suas air a’
phlèana còmhla ris a’ Bhph NicEachainn agus a’ Bh
-ph
NicRuairidh.
Dh’fhuirich sinn airson dà
oidhche ann an taigh-osta
ann an Steòrnabhagh. Air
Pictured above: S2 pupils Joanne Laing and Marion
a’ chiad oidhche bha a’ MacCorquodale
chiad desbad againn an
aghaidh Sgoil MhicNeacail A (Catriona Bain agus Katie Nic Aonaghais). B’
e am moladh a bh’ ann: ‘’Chan eil e a’ dèanamh cron sam bith air a
Ghàidhealtachd nuair a bhios na meadhanan a’ fanaid oirnn airson ar
cànan, ar droch shìde agus ar meanabh-chuileagan.’’ Bha sinne an aghaidh
a’ mholaidh. An ath latha bha sinn an aghaidh Sgoil Choimhearsneachd
Bhaigh a’ Chaisteal (le Rose Scott agus Uilleam MacDhùghaill). B’ e am
moladh a bha againn: “’S e an ginealach againne an ginealach as
fortanaiche bha riamh ann am Breatann” Bha sinne an aghaidh a’ mholaidh
an seo cuideachd. Chòrd an turas rinn gu mòr, ged nach do bhuannaich
sinn. Bha sinn a’ smaoineachadh gun do rinn sinn math agus gabhaidh sinn
pàirt anns an Deasbad a-rithist ann an 2016.
Aig deireadh an latha ‘s e a’ chiad sgioba a bha sinn an aghaidh, Sgoil
MhicNeacail A a bhuannaich an Deasbad air fad. Tha sinn airson taing
mhòr a thoirt do Mrs NicEachainn, Mrs Mary Bella NicRuairidh, Fiona
MacDhòmhnaill S5 agus Katie NicIllinnein S5 airson a’ chuideachadh a
thug iad dhuinn.
Page 4