Each year we reflect on all the events and achievements of that session. So here is a sample of a year in the life of ND for session 2008-09.
Once again the school year proved to be busy, successful and fun! Both staff and pupils took part in many varied activities proving that education in Notre Dame is about what goes on outside as well as inside the classroom. Our school roll has now grown to 802 pupils and there is a busy and purposeful atmosphere throughout the school.
June 2009
An exciting month to end the school sesssion. Primary 7 pupils will join us again on the 5th June to undertake their Induction morning. The school Health week will culminate with a menu of out of school and in school leisure activities; Hillwalking; skating; theme Parks; Beauty Treatments; cake decoration and more.
We are also delighted that our links with the Notre Dame education community were maintained when a number of pupils and staff attended the 'Hope conference'.
Congratulations to our S/2 moviemakers who won the 'Best Business Engagement 'category in the Determined to Make Movies competition, for their innovative Homecoming Movie.
May 2009
SQA examinations begin on 5th May.
on 20th May we will have our parent/P7 induction Meeting.
April 2009
The Easter holidays begin on 2nd April- 20th April. On the 14th April our Primary 7 pupils are invited to join us for the annual Crystal Maze Challenge - a morning of fun, teambuilding and problem solving..
March 2009
During March the school marks the season of Lent through prayer and almsgiving. Holy Mass will be celebrated with each class by Fr Jim Lawlor. Fundraising by pupils and staff will support the work of SCIAF.
Third Year prepare to welcome 250 senior Citizens for our annual St. Patrick Day Treat - an afternoon of food, song and Irish dancing! Each S/3 class has a specific role to play in this enterprising community event which has been enjoyed in the school for almost 30 years.
February 2009
Second Year options are now in full swing and on 10th February all S/2 will participate in our 'I Can Do Anything 'Conference', when a range of guests come to the school and pupils have the opportunity to quiz them about the careers they have chosen.
10th February is also SAFER INTERNET DAYand First Year pupils will hear a presentation from Leeann Curran of Glasgow H&S Dept about the benefits and responsibilities of going online.
The February mid-term means holidays for staff and pupils on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th February. Pupils will also be on holiday on the In-service day , Wednesday 18th February.
Our S/2 Parents' Evening will be held on Tuesday 24th February from 4.30-6.30pm.
Ash Wednesday is 25th February and marks the start of our lenten journey. Ashes will be distributed in school by Fr Slavin, Fr Lawlor and sister Mary.
The Pupil Council will meet on Thursday 26th February . High on the agenda will be their views on the new 33 period week and a review of the School Mobile Phone Policy.
January 2009
The school resumed on Monday 5th January.
This month we focus on 2 major events ; the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns and Holocaust Memorial Day.
The school celebrates Burns with a 'Hint of Tartan' Day on Friday 23rd January. Staff and pupils will gather for a Burns (early) Supper ...at lunchtime. Our Home Economics Department are catering for 200+ diners with a menu of broth, haggis, neeps and tartties and white chocolate cheesecake.. We are grateful to Strathclyde Police Band for providing the necessary piper to pipe in the Haggis and to all the speakers and contributors who have worked so hard to mark the Bard's birthday. Get a flavour of the Experience here.
An online voting system is also set up so pupils and staff can vote for their favourite Burns poem..
Throughout the week leading up to Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January departments are contributing their own uniqe perspective on the Holocaust with S/1 pupils. Extended assemblies will take place during the week beginning 26th January to focus on the importance of challenging Man's Inhumanity to Man.
As part of the assembly pupils will hear the story of Rachel as told by Rachel herself on video::
December 2008
The annual school Open Evening takes place on Wednesday 3rd December from 7.00pm.
December also sees the start of our Advent charity campaign. Pupils will be helping to raise funds for the homeless and for SCIAF during December.
The Pupil Council will meet on Friday 5th December to discuss Glasgow City Council's 'Charter for Children.'
S/4 prelims will begin on 8th December.
Our senior debaters will participate in a range of Debating competitions during December.
BP will be visiting on 17th December to run workshops on Climate Change for all S/2 pupils.
S/6 will again organise the annual Talent Show on the afternoon of 17th December .
School closes for the Christmas holidays on Friday 19th December
NOVEMBER 2008
November starts on a sombre note as the school is involved in various Remembrance events. Presentations and displays highlight the horrors of war, this year focussing on the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1. During this month of the holy souls Sr, Mary will offer short reflections for staff after school and Fr Slavin will offer mass for the Holy Souls.
The S/5-S/6 Focus period gets underway with class visits and departmental discussions of the quality of learning in upper school.
S/4 will undertake an intensive programme of developing Study skills in preparation for the prelim exams in December . Lunchtime sessions and work in course programmes will focus on how to study better.
Study Support will also be on offer in the run up to the prelims.
This month the 3,4 and 5 Higher group will meet with their staff mentor to discuss progress towards targets.
OCTOBER 2008
This month in school the focus is on S5 and S6 learning with classroom visits and departmental discussions of how to improve the learners' experience.
Also in October we hold our annual 'Hint of Pink' day when the whole school raise funds and have fun to support Breast Cancer charities.
Our First Year welcome Mass is planned for Wednesday 22nd October when parents staff and first Year pupils celebrate the end of their first term at Notre Dame
The Pupil Council will meet on 23rd October .
SEPTEMBER 2008
This month in school the focus is on S3 and S4 learning with classroom visits and departmental discussions of how to improve the learners' experience.
Also in September a number of student conferences will take place:
S2 Aim High
S/5 - S/6 Business dynamics
S6 afternoon of refelction
Classes are busy electing their representatives for the Pupil Council.
For staff a new drop in cafe and IT support meeting has been launched on a Wednesday after school and an online Health and Well-being survey starts, to help iidentify staff needs in this area.
For First Year parents there is a Welcome evening on Tuesday 23rd to help them get a flavourof their daughter's experience in school during the last few weeks and the chance to chat informally with senior staff.
AUGUST 2008
The school welcomed 160 new First Year pupils to the community.