Before writing this blog I looked back at the two prior to the holidays:

20th – 24th March: gives seniors a lot of links and ideas about study and revision and is worth them looking at

27th – 31st March: makes mention of an event I was due to attend with our senior prefects in the holidays

The event was the annual dinner held by the former pupils of Aberdeen High School for Girls (which became Harlaw Academy).  We enjoyed an excellent meal and heard from our senior prefect Skye Iverson on her time at Harlaw.  But the real highlight was an after dinner presentation by Professor Lorna Dawson who is based at the Hutton Institute (formerly the McAulay Institute).  Prof Dawson is a leading expert in soil science – so much so that she is an ‘expert witness’ in criminal trials and the person authors, TV producers etc go to for specialist forensic information.  It was incredible hearing about the work she does and hopefully we will get her in to speak to our pupils – to inspire a future generation of experts.

The middle of the week saw a group of our S3 pupils attend an inter generational event at the Town House.  It was a great opportunity for these pupils not only to see inside the civic reception rooms in the town house but to give a presentation to an audience which included the Lord Provost and other Civic Leaders.  The presentation explained how the young people had been meeting with people in local care homes to share experiences.  The project had helped our pupils and the ‘older generation’ to share experiences and learn together.

Then on Friday the PTA Murder Mystery Night brought together Parents, Teachers Harlaw pupils and other family members for a really enjoyable evening.  The format of the Murder Mystery was really compelling and convincing – the pupil actors showed great skill and maturity in the way in which they handled audience questions.  There was an real bonus for the audience when Alistair Eddie, who was playing the role of Hotel Proprietor, entertained the audience with a confident, smooth and polished rendition of ‘Mak the knife’.  A special mention must also go to the Rock challenge group who put on a great performance of their AECC dance routine.  It was a really good and informal evening with people having time to mix and learn from each other.

These 3 events highlight:

• the incredibly talent we have in our school and in our City
• the confidence which young people can display in unfamiliar situations
• that we can learn a great deal from each other and we can learn together
• the school can be the beating heart of its community

I know those at each of the events will have left feeling a little more inspired than when they arrived.  I hope in some small way this particular blog spreads that inspiration a little further.  It also gives me an opportunity to thank all the pupils, teachers, families and wider community who provide, support and take up the opportunities.