\McLaren High
\Balfron High
Bannockburn trip On Wednesday, December 7, a few S1 social subject classes went to The Battle of Bannockburn Museum. My group went to the workshop where we tried on all sorts of cool armour and weapons. Then the guide dressed three people up as medieval soldiers; an archer, a knight and a foot soldier. The knight had to wear so much armour and padding compared to everyone else, it was quite funny because he was struggling to walk in all of the heavy gear. We then had to plan a strategy for the battle. Finally, it was our time in the 3D experience, first we were given 3D glasses and then we entered the room. In the first room, it was a presentation from the Queen of England from that time. When we went into another big room with the battle animations. It felt like we were in a medieval warzone, with arrows flying passed and Scottish schiltrons hammering the unsuspecting English army. by Luke Piper 1C3
Rotary Club Recitals A number of young people delivered stunning recitals on Sunday, December 11 at Balfron High School as part of the Rotary Young Musician of the Year. Pupils were required to perform two contrasting pieces of an advanced standard in front of an open audience and an adjudicator. Lucy Black was successful in winning in the vocal category, while Harriet Patterson won the instrumental category on cello. Both girls were awarded a £25 cheque from Strathendrick Rotary Club and will progress to the regional heats held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland early next year. Blanefield House Care Home Performance Musical performers from Balfron High School entertained the residents of Blanefield House Care Home on Tuesday, December 13 during a mini Christmas Concert. Residents had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the pupils. The staff, residents and their families were treated to performances from the chamber choir, ceilidh band, string quartet and chamber flautists and the young people represented themselves and their school superbly. The official Balfron High School Christmas Concert is on Tuesday, December 20 at 7pm in the school theatre, tickets still available by contacting the reception or the music department. Science visits A representative from Zoolab visited the school recently and S1 pupils had the chance to hear about and see up close some animals they wouldn’t normally come into contact with. Glasgow Science Centre also recently came to school to present a 3D show “Body Works on Tour” throughout the day to pupils in S2 and S3. McLaren Bake Off The Great McLaren Bake Off reached a tense finale last week with the Support for Learning Assistants/Additional Supports Needs Staff and the Dinner Ladies having to produce a show stopper that depicted 125 years of McLaren High School (which will be celebrated next year). The judges said it was close but the Dinner Ladies were crowned the winners. Well done to all who took part over the last few weeks with £204.74 raised for charity. Rotary Chef Competition On Wednesday, December 7, four pupils competed in the Young Rotary Chef Competition. This involved making a two-course healthy meal costing no more than £10. Each individual planned their own meal and completed this in 90 minutes. The pupils made the following dishes: Calum MacInnes made Seared Chicken Breast Wrapped in Parma Ham, presented on a Bed of Sweet Potato and Drizzled with a Garlic Butter Sauce followed by Passion Fruit Cheesecake, served with a Warm Berry Coulis. Amy Allan made Minced Steak Burger served in a Butter Brioch Roll accompanied by Hand Cut Chips with a Soured Cream, Greek Yogurt and Mayonnaise Dip followed by a Melt in the Middle Chocolate Muffin served with Seasonal Berries and Fresh Double Cream. Olivia Watson made Pan Fried Fillet of Salmon Glazed with a Sweet Chilli Sauce serve on a bed of crushed minted potatoes and surrounded by a Warm Mixed Pepper Vinaigrette followed by a Warm Chocolate Fondant Pudding with Raspberry Cream Quenelles and Niamh King made Soy Poached Chicken with Asparagus served with Coconut Rice and Hot Sour Sauce followed by Paper Thin Fruit Pies with Crème Anglaise. All pupils produced an excellent and delicious meal and Niamh was the overall winner. All pupils received a gift from Lakeland and Niamh won vouchers to spend on Lakeland products. Thanks go to Peter Ireland, Nick Parkes and Christine Ffinch for judging the competition. Niamh now has a place in the next round of the competition which will be held in January.