\Alloa Acad
\McLaren High
Clothes Appeal “What difference can a small agency like Edinburgh Direct Aid make in the world of misery that is Syria and its refugees? The answer is not much overall. But in Arsal quite a lot.” A total of 70,000 Syrian refugees camping in and around the small Lebanese border town of Arsal, surrounded by militant hideouts and army checkpoints, are dreading a fourth winter in sub-zero temperatures. Around 6000 children have not been to school for three years. McLaren High School parent Karin Helwig contacted the school to find out if they would be interested in co-ordinating an appeal and the response was overwhelming. Donations were accepted during the week beginning October 24 and on Monday, October 31, Edinburgh Direct Aid filled most of the lorry with bags and boxes. Thank you to all parents, carers and friends who helped make this such a successful appeal. Also thanks to the senior pupils who formed a “human chain” to transfer all the donations from the school to the lorry. Rugby The last match of the Central Schools Conference was played on Wednesday, October 26 as McLaren played host to Falkirk High. Due to lower playing numbers the decision was made to join the S1 and S2 players to form U14 squads. The McLaren players were split evenly into two 15 player squads. In the first match McLaren U14 A won 7-2 with treis from Thomas Woods (2), Joe Lazell (2), Arran Livingston, Jamie McNaught and Andrew Cairns scoring the tries. McLaren U14 B also won their match 6-2 with tries from Liam Rennie (2), Archie Farquharson (2), Ben Isgrove and Innes Huckerby. The McLaren Rugby U16 squad also put in an impressive performance, running in 16 tries from Lewis Gallagher (5), James Isgrove (3), Harris Fisher (2), Tyler Livingston (2), Ben Roebuck, Paul McNab, Duncan Brown and Cameron McLay.
\Balfron High
Grease More than 200 pupils from the school are contributing to the show to make it a huge success. On stage, backstage, technical, wardrobe, merchandise, front of house, set design and management. It will run over five nights from Monday, November 14 and one matinee performance for the local community. The school is running a raffle in aid of Epilespy Action this time. Music news The autumn concert was a huge success and pupils played incredibly well. Great reception for the Jeune Ensemble Harmonique, fantastic turnout and the musicians from Villeneuve d’Asqc were delighted with the music we prepared for them, particularly the Scottish and Celtic arrangements. The music department is hugely grate- ful for the generous donations made at the door and thank everyone for attending and their continued support of music at Balfron High. This year’s Christmas Concert is on Tuesday, December 20. Inter-House This week in the Inter-House competition, Erskine were in first place with 14 points, Bruce came second with 12 and Schaw came third with 10 points. The hockey tournament was won by 1S2 and house totals showed Schaw and Bruce in a first place tie with 126 points and Erskine closely behind with 122 points. Both Schaw and Bruce gain 10 House points and Erskine gain five. The afternoon was a great success with lots of activity and fun. Active Girls Day Last Friday Active Girls Day was celebrated with moer than 150 girls in S1-S3 taking part in a range of activities including dancing, football, pilates, golf, health checks and walking. Watching the girls take part with enthusiasm and energy was a real privilege. Well done to all the senior girls who led activities. Congratulations Alloa Academy sent two teams to compete in the regional Enterprising Maths competition held at Alva Academy. Both teams were a credit to the school and managed to finish first and second. The runners up were Kyle Gillespie 3B2, Euan MacKinnon 3B1, Kim Johnstone 4B2 and Victoria Kroll, pipped for first place by Freya Godwin 4B2, Zoe Taylor 4B2, Ben Cameron 3E1 and Sophie Dickson 3B2. These four will now go ahead to representing Clackmannanshire in the Scottish finals in Glasgow on November 15. S1 and Under 15 rugby teams made a valiant effort but lost in a close match with Lornshill Academy. Rory McMahon scored his first try for Alloa Academy and tries were also scored by Hasan Akram, Brandon Jardine, Jamie Shaw and Finn McMaster. Shoebox Appeal Many thanks to the members of 3B1 who are co-coordinating this year’s shoebox appeal. Members of the class addressed all year groups in assembly and are sending out regular reminders to the school about bringing in items. The shoeboxes are delivered across the world to children and older people who might otherwise have nothing. The school will accept any donations from the public – please hand them into the school as soon as possible. Parent Council The next meeting of the parent council will take place on Monday, November 7 in the Conference Room. All parents and carers are invited to attend.
The Autumn concert was a huge success and pupils played incredibly well