Murrayfield Stadium (usually just known as Murrayfield) is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It’s all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent ‘big screen’ in the country, though it remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one of the largest in the United Kingdom overall. The stadium is the home of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and is primarily used as a venue for rugby union, hosting most of Scotland’s home test matches, as well as the Edinburgh Sevens, the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup final, and the Magners League and Heineken Cup matches. The stadium is considered an icon of Scottish rugby.
On the 7th February, a small group from Hillside School: Dave, Andrew, Michael, Greg, Lee and Ethan went to watch the first game in Scotland’s Six Nation campaign.
It was a good game, despite Scotland lacking inspiration at times. The boys appeared to enjoy the match and got well into the spirit of things, joining in with the fans and singing Flower of Scotland.
Let’s hope we can get tickets for the 13th March when Scotland play England. Let’s see who Dave will be supporting that day.
On Thursday 4th February, the Dalgety Bay Community Police held the first surgery and ‘drop in’ for pupils and staff of Hillside school. This is a new aspect to the partnership between Dalgety Bay Community Police and Hillside School.
The aims of the sessions are to provide the pupils and staff with an opportunity to discuss any aspect of help and support available from the Dalgety Bay Community Police, and to obtain advice and guidance about how to get access to support in their home communities.
PC Graham Patience and PC Paul Dykes had lunch in the residential units and then held the surgery in the ‘quiet room’ of the House Unit.
One of our pupils really enjoyed the experience. He asked questions looking for clarity on legal aspects of his behaviour in his own community. He said, “Other pupils should check it out. They can get good advice there.”
Dalgety Bay Community Police are planning to present a citizenship workshop towards the end of this term for our 1st and 2nd years. We look forward to their continued support.
After the Pantomime outings, Chinese meal, and our trip to Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland, it was time to wave off the majority of our young people to start the Festive Holidays! No sooner had our boys left, the snow started to fall – prompting us to spend some of our budget on sledges! This was money very well spent, as the boys enjoyed frolicking in the snow – although requiring a thorough defrosting when back indoors!!
Santa Claus visited and the boys enjoyed the presents he left. The boys that were here over Christmas, and the staff who worked, enjoyed interacting in a relaxed atmosphere which made Hillside School a nice home from home.
Over the New Year, the ambience was much the same, with our boys enjoying a midnight buffet in Forthview and a great fireworks display illuminating Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth. Although a bit more crowded over the New Year week, the staff made sure there were a range of activities, treats and great cooking (thanks Bruce!) for the boys to enjoy, with Avatar and Sherlock Holmes being the films to see in 2010 (not 2012, as that wasn’t as good!).
No sooner had ‘The Bells’ rang than the boys returned to Hillside for a fresh new term and high hopes for the New Year.
‘Tis the season to be jolly’. Well how was it for all staff and boys in the Cottage over the festive season? In tradition, we like to start early, join in the fun, and make the most of it.
The staff began planning early in December, ensuring that all the Santa letters were read, and suitable desirable presents were purchased and parcelled in preparation for the special day.
Next came our big day out at the pantomime; Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates at the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh on Dec 9th. ‘Oh no it didn’t!’ I hear you cry; ‘Oh yes it was!’ In keeping with past years, this was every bit, and probably more so than before, an enjoyable event for the staff as much as the boys. ‘We were rocking all over the world!’ This was followed by a very tasty Italian meal at Dario’s (with special mention to Arlene who celebrated her 40th Birthday). Finally, before our train journey home, we got dizzy on the Big Wheel situated on Princess Street, as well as attending the German Food and Drinks Market. Hic!
Our staff and boys Xmas dinner was then consumed and enjoyed on Wed 16th, with special thanks to Richard, our chef, and Sharon who helped serve up. The following day we bade farewell to our long serving Depute Principal, Mr Marr, after 34 years of service. The boys were very respectful during the ceremony, as one could say he is very much Mr Hillside after all the commitment, devotion and efforts that he has shown over the period. We take this opportunity again to wish him well and good health; he will be much missed.
In the afternoon it was our annual Xmas Concert. Special mention goes to Jason, Tony, Barry and your writer for their contributions in the witty musical, ‘Twelve days of Christmas’; a rendition for Mr Marr. Thanks also to our able assistants, Karen and Tracey, who supported with props etc. A couple of our boys joined in with a sketch or song, and thanks to all for an enjoyable time on the day that the snow started to fall and would remain with us for the next 3 weeks.
To finish the week, staff attended the Christmas night out on Friday 18th at a local hotel with one or two; sorry quite a few, letting their hair down to deservedly chill out and relax after a taxing term.
To complete the term it was a case of ensuring that all our boys got through the heavy snow to get home one way or another to spend at least Christmas day at home, and for most, New Years day also.
On that note we wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year in 2010 and personally I can’t wait until the inclement weather clears up and the golf season begins!
T. Y. ‘Auld Yin’
Just before breaking up for the Christmas holidays, the boys and staff of the Forthview Unit took part in an outing to Frankie and Benny’s diner in Dunfermline and a pantomime in Kirkcaldy. After completing the school day, the boys and staff were able to put on their glad rags for the night ahead. This was the one day of the year where everybody involved enjoyed putting on their best clothes and splashing on the aftershave as if it was going out of fashion.
Everybody enjoyed their meal, with “Big Red” taking great delight in sampling just about all the meals on offer. A calamari starter was offered around for the boys to taste. All enjoyed this until finding out that it was squid; suddenly it wasn’t so popular.
The group then moved on to the pantomime which was Pinocchio. The Dame, Bella, came on dressed as an ice-cream and had a voice like sandpaper; she certainly stole the show. The boys certainly got stuck in with the audience participation, hissing and booing at every opportunity. The ‘volume’ of our young men got them noticed by the pantomime baddies, who even escorted one of them to the back of the theatre.
The true highlight of the evening came when Bella took a liking to the unit manager and took residence on his knee. The boys loved every second of this and continued to talk about it all the way home.
image by laurenatclemson (via Flickr CC)
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn’t show signs of pausing,
And I’ve bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
But if you’ll really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the lyrics of this song summed up the weather in Scotland. Many of the House young people spent their evenings cosy-ing in front of the fire watching DVDs and playing board games.
Staff kept a constant eye on the weather reports, negotiating journeys and making sure our young people all got home on Christmas Day.
New Year celebrations were held in Forthview, with Ross preparing a lovely buffet enjoyed by all. After ‘The Bells’, staff and boys all stood at the back of the House and watched the firework display at Edinburgh Castle.
On Thursday 12th November, for our Standard Grade SVS Community Event, we had the kids from Aberdour Primary up to our school for a Fun Morning. There were two events; Arts and Crafts, and the Obstacle Course.
In between the events we had juices, water and a variety of fruit on platters, prepared by Cameron and Craig. We all had our own duties to fulfil throughout the event. Angus and Billy demonstrated to the kids how to complete the obstacle course and then Greg guided them on their way around the track. Cameron and Craig were in the Art session, helping them to make masks and trinket boxes. We felt really good about the whole morning because the primary children had so much fun. They also sent us ‘Thank You’ letters; we received one from every one of the 25 children in the class.
We have since been down to the primary school to hand-deliver our Christmas cards. When there, we helped them out with making reindeer pictures. We are looking forward to the next opportunity we have to work with Aberdour Primary.
Craig, Greg, Cameron, Billy, Angus and Karen
Hillside School Music Club pupils were given the opportunity to experience what it is like to play in a band with local musicians visiting Hillside to lend their expertise. Hillside pupils Johnnie, Ethan and Taran saw first hand what it takes to get a band together to rehearse.
Local musicians Stuart, Christine, Tom, Robbie and Tony played several songs watched by the pupils. They took the time to give them instruction, let them play their instruments, and experience playing with a band.
It was smiles all round especially when the pupils played with the band. It was a very stimulating evening for all and a springboard for the music club to move forward. The musicians played several songs e.g. New Shoes, Come Up and See Me, and Yellow Taxi. This experience will help boost their confidence and help with future performances.
