Extracurricular Activities: Learning Skills for Life - St Columba's School

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Inverclyde Music
Festival 2011
We were delighted to see so many of our pupils enjoying
success at the festival this year.
sandy Ritchie
McCaig Quaich for Piping
highest mark in designated classes
Mark McGregor
Duncan Brown Memorial Trophy for Piping
highest mark in designated classes
Clare eagle
George Parkhill Memorial Trophy
piano solo performance
Full details of winners can be found on the School website
Trinity Guildhall
A list of results for the Trinity and Guildhall Music
examinations can be found on the School website.
Congratulations to all successful candidates.
nYCoS
Fifteen pupils from St Columba’s School successfully
auditioned for the national Youth Choir of Scotland (nYCoS).
Lucy Bishop, Sally Bishop, Fiona Faint, Caitlin Findlay,
Melissa Meighan, Rebecca Ronney, all SV, were accepted for
the nYCoS Girls’ Choir, and Archie Morris (SII) for the Boys
Choir and Luca Hlaing (SV) for the Changed Voices Choir. In
addition, Ciara Ewing, Stephanie Blyth, Catriona Love and
Amy Bretherton joined the Training Choir and Gavin Findlay,
Alistair Smith and Marcus Wylie joined the Junior Corps.
They attended a 6-day residential course during the Easter
holidays, during which they received vocal coaching,
musicianship training and also rehearsed for a number of
high-profile performances. Last year Sally, Rebecca, Melissa,
Jennifer and Caitlin had the added honour of being selected
to sing at the Opening Concert of the Edinburgh International
Festival at the Usher Hall.
Director of Music at St Columba’s, Ms Yvonne Carey, said,
‘I am delighted that so many of our pupils have successfully
auditioned for the national Girls’ Choir/national Boys’ Choir
of Scotland and the Training Choir. I’m particularly pleased
that three of our Junior 6 pupils joined them this year.’
Why Should You Join
the School Orchestra?
There are lots of good reasons for playing as part of the
orchestra or band. Pupils develop many important skills
through the experience, such as patience, discipline,
organisational skills, as well as learning to work as part of a
team. All members of the orchestra have a role to play. Senior
pupils mentor younger musicians and are given responsibility
for a particular section of the orchestra. They ensure that
pupils attend rehearsals regularly and work with them in
smaller groups between rehearsals. Additionally, there is a
huge amount of fun in playing and making music together.
Over the past two years the orchestra has really bonded as
a group. This year they competed in the Inverclyde Music
Festival for the first time. Their hard work, dedication
and commitment were reflected in the standard of their
performance and there was a real sense of achievement.
“I find that playing as part of a group gives me confidence and a
sense of security.” Clare Eagle (violin)
“I’ve been in the orchestra for a year. I enjoy the chance to play
a wide repertoire and things that I maybe wouldn’t play on my
own.” Jillian Craig (cello)
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“As the only French Horn in the orchestra it’s sometimes a bit
daunting, but has also given me confidence.” Malcolm Millar
(French horn)
“I’m the eldest in the flute section and I’ve been able to develop
my leadership skills as I’ve moved up through the orchestra.”
Rebecca Anderson (flute)
We are also happy to find new owners for unwanted
instruments in good condition, so if you have any used
instruments please let us know. ycarey@st-columbas.org
Maths
World Maths Day
Pupils marked the day by taking part in the international
Maths competition. 1,298,834 students and 22,785 schools
from 212 countries participated. Malaysia won the Maths
World Cup.
uKMT Maths Team Challenge
A team of SI and SII pupils took part in the Regional Final
of the UKMT Junior Team Mathematics Challenge at the
University of the West of Scotland. The team consisted of
Matthew Garrett (S1) Kharis Cunningham (SI) Ewan Davidson
(SII) and Megan McClement (SII). They participated in four
rounds, including: group competition, crossnumber, head-tohead
competition and relay race. All rounds involved problem
solving questions in pairs or groups.
Science
Affairs of the Heart
Eight Science Baccalaureate pupils at St Columba’s School
have been working on a group interdisciplinary project
entitled ‘A Healthy Heart, Physically and Emotionally’.
Rebecca Grant, Karen Hamilton, Hannah Edmundson, Peter
Hargreaves, Christopher Marshall, David Johnstone, Ross
McAlister, and Euan Rae were allocated individual topics to
study, including smoking, sleep, exercise, the cardiovascular
system, nutrition and dental hygiene. As part of their project
they were required to develop not only their own knowledge,
but to educate others. This took the form of a ‘Healthy Heart
Day’ for pupils and staff at the school. The event was a huge
success. Sporting bright red British Heart Foundation t-shirts,
the group presented their findings and organised a number of
activities, including blood pressure tests, a smoothie bike and
a Zumba class.
Star Pupils
Two pupils from St Columba’s have been selected for the
Scottish Space School. Melissa Meighan and Charlotte
Mitchell, both SV, will take part in the programme at the
University of Strathclyde this June. The Scottish Space School
is an annual five-day event which aims to “inspire the next
generation of scientists and engineers by highlighting the
career and educational opportunities available to young people
with an interest in science, engineering and technology.”
Mr Iain Weir, Head of Physics, commented, “This year the
organisers have said that competition for places was the
fiercest yet and the standard of applications was extremely
high. Although pupils from the School have participated
before, this is the first time that two of our pupils have been
successful. It’s a fantastic achievement. We wish Melissa and
Charlotte well for June.”
To find out more about the Space School visit:
http://www.strath.ac.uk/eee/undergraduatecourses/
admissionsevents/outreachactivitiesforschoolpupils/