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FUNDRAISINC
This year saw the return, after a year's break, to the collection of shoeboxes for the Charity Operation Christmas Child. There was a superb effort from pupils, parents and staff this year - with 80 boxes being handed in. Thanks go to all. This year we delivered some of the shoeboxes ourselves to the warehouse near Glasgow and some pupils, in the fundraising group, spent an evening assisting with the sorting out of shoeboxes. At least some of our shoeboxes were destined for Romania and one pupil received a letter of thanks from a grateful recipient. In addition, £50 was raised from the first weeks of the bakery hobby and went to the Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas.
The fundraising group turned its hand to baking to raise money for two Charities. With great enthusiasm, the group of boys and girls baked sponge cakes, chocolate marshmallows and chocolate crispies to sell to their fellow pupils. Thanks go not only to the fundraising group, but also to the pupils who purchased the cakes. A profit of almost £170 was made and this money has been shared by the two charities 'Breakthrough for Breast Cancer' and 'SSPCA'.
The pupils participated enthusiastically in our non-uniform day in support of Children in Need and the sum of £294 was raised.
Miss Blackwood
AT THE OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD WAREHOUSE
In answer to Miss Blackwood's announcement that she needed volunteers to help at the Samaritan's Purse 'Operation Christmas Child' warehouse, we volunteered. When the day finally came we were all very enthusiastic and the car journey was filled with singing and games, and of course, French poems!!
When we arrived, we were shown around and the first thing we noticed was the amount of shoeboxes. We were shown into a room where we had to sign a book to say we helped and were introduced to everyone by Chris Thomson, the co-ordinator and Skip, the dog! Next came the sorting of the boxes and we had to take a box, remove money, liquids and war-related toys and ensure that the boxes were suitable, which we then sealed.
Once we had four or five done, we took them up to big shelves at the back, where they were sorted into categories: Boys and Girls 2-4, 5-9 and 10-14, to be packed into boxes and sent away. We were also able to see through a video of the people who received the shoeboxes which was really touching.
Beccy Copland and Natasha Bruce
P7'S LITTER INITIATIVE
On a showery morning in June, all P7 pupils equipped with litter picks, gloves and bags and encouraged by six Form V and Form VI pupils, carried out a huge assault on litter both inside and outside the school. Four groups tackled the school buildings and grounds, while two other groups worked outside from the entrances to the school along the Perth Road as far as
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Kippendavie Road. The aim was to give the school a good clean up and also to let the local residents know that the pupils care about the immediate environment in which they live. This was just the beginning of raising awareness in terms of litter. It is an ongoing project and, in addition, next session, the whole school hopes to become part of the Eco Schools Programme, concentrating on recycling and composting within the school while continuing to support the community in local environmental projects.
TAE KWON-DO - INDOMITABLE SPIRITS
The Tae Kwon-Do club has again grown in strength, although it's only been running for eighteen months. Unbelievably, all students have 'graded' and are moving up the 'belts'; now we
have several 'Green Belt' students. Various questions have been posed by both students and parents alike, but the main one is - what does Tae Kwon-Po mean? The discipline originated in Korea and the loose translation is Tae (Foot); Kwon (Fist); Do (Art), and the Global Tae Kwon-Do Federation (GTF) was founded by Grand Master Park Jung Tae (9th Degree Black Belt). He has taken the 'Art' to a new level. Essential to the 'Art' are the five tenets and every member adheres to these core elements: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, Indomitable Spirit
We train under the banner of the GTF (Scotland) which ensures our training is second to none. On top of this, it's all down to our instructor, Mr Stuart Barrie (2nd Degree Black Belt), who works us hard and prioritises the teaching of the technical skills required at all levels; these are the ingredients that make the club such a success.
Realising this, pupils in the school have been attracted to the club and now we have a number of new students; several are from P7 and Sl, which means more 'black belts' in the future, if
they maintain their commitment. Even though the club is young, we have two competitions under our 'belts' and our club has done very well indeed. Various successes means we have gained medals in all disciplines, from 'patterns', that illustrate technical ability and control, to 'sparring', that enables a student to text him or herself in a more realistic, but controlled, environment, using the skills they have learned. Even as I write, another competition is being organised to take place after the Summer Break.
I would like to express my thanks to Mr David Brown (6th Degree Black Belt), National Technical Director and Scotland team coach, who has worked closely with Park Jung Tae, and has offered real encouragement and support to the club. No amount of thanks could be enough for Mr Stuart Barrie; we're indebted to him for his commitment, instruction and leadership. Significantly, he also makes the training enjoyable for all those involved; we're very fortunate to have him as our instructor.
Just as we are about to depart for the Summer Break, one crucial element remains to be mentioned - the parents. The club would not exist without their unwavering support, which is vital to their sons and daughters in this very rewarding discipline - thank you! Finally, I'd like to thank the students for their year round commitment to the club and to remind them to keep training!
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