After touring in 6 countries (Quebec, Germany, Czech Republic, Turkey, China and Vietnam) with his project ‘Les Retours de l’Ecole’ (On the way back from School), French composer and musician François Audrain launches in Edinburgh a new series of collaboration with foreign schools: ‘La Ville à l’Envers’ (The City inside out).

In association with Broughton High School Audrain teamed up with pupils studying Advanced Higher French to design a video for his song Nuit étrange (Strange Night). Moving away from the usual postcard image, the participating pupils used their smartphones and pocket cams to film their city as they see and experience it in their daily life. The video will be screened as part of Audrain’s electro-rock performance ‘Edimbourg, la Ville à l’Envers’.

‘Edimbourg, la Ville à l’Envers’ will be performed in France next February as part of the Travelling Film Festival in Rennes (Brittany) which will dedicate its 2013 edition (19-26 February) to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

A very special thanks from François to Estelle Morali-Silver and her pupils at Broughton High School (Edinburgh) for their collaboration.

See the full blog on this exciting event from the Institut Ecosse français here.

Here is what’s been going on in a remarkable first term.

Anne Frank Trust project

20 pupils were trained to show at least 200 pupils around an exhibition designed to increase knowledge and understanding of Anne Frank, and the factors which led to the rise of the Nazis and the Holocaust. Hosting of the exhibition also provided an opportunity for our school to enhance our links with local primary schools, were specially invited to come, to work in an interdisciplinary manner, and to demonstrate a commitment to the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence. Pupil guides Guy Mathieson, Jamie Bingham, Gule Okan, and Eve McClelland have spoken highly of the experience, not only for what it taught about our history but for skills they learned in working with strangers and collaborators.

Peace Ball

Linking in with Jeremy Gilley’s ‘Peace One Day’ initiative – literally, by Skype — Katie Messer and her band of helpers put together a fabulous evening of entertainment from bands from local schools. They raised £1,289!

Children’s Hospice Association Scotland

Gemma Rutherford in S5 took an initiative, after completing YPI earlier this year. She organised a Guess the Weight of a Sweeties Jar! Dedicating her breaks adn lunchtimes, she raised £63!

Climate Change

Ella Phillips went exploring climate change and presented an informative and stimulating week of assemblies to the whole school on the threat of climate change. She then spoke about a poster competition open to S1-S3 pupils. The winner of that was Haiyang Hu, and the runners-up were Hannah Ferguson and Cara Conway.

John Muir Award

S5 pupils have been taking part in activities to try to complete the first level of the
John Muir Award. This is for pupils who take care of our outdoor environment.
One of our groups worked with Penny Radway, from the Green Team, on the ecology of our school pond area. Another group worked with the Pentland Rangers and Miss Thomson, exploring parts of the ecology there. They took part in a photograph competition as well. Our third group worked around the Water of Leith, with Miss Northcott and Charlotte Neary, from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. They documented the river’s condition, and spent an afternoon tidying near St Bernard’s Well. All told, around 30 pupils took part in these 3 groups. The John Muir Award draws closer!

Youth Philanthropy Initiative – second time this year!

S6 took part in an excellent final on 14 November 2012, in front of representatives from YPI and panel members PC Greig Stephen, Penny Radway, from the Green Team, Harald Tobermann, from the Parent Council, Mrs Burgess, depute, Aimee Creamer, S5 pupil from March’s winning team, and Gareth Wood, from the Wood Charitable Trust. The represented charities were Richmond Hope, Maggie’s Centre, The Junction, the special care baby unit at the Royal Infirmary, CLASP, the Corstorphine Dementia Project, and FACE: Fighting Against Cancer in Edinburgh. The winning team was that representing FACE, consisting of Astrid Anderson, Rebecca Lamont, Jodie Wilson, Yasmin Serrano-Price, Kirsten Marshall-Thomson and Troy Quigley. They will present a cheque for £3,000.

Breaking News
Holocaust Memorial Day – Thursday 24 January 2013

Broughton High School will host the Holocaust Memorial Day event for Edinburgh. Guest speaker is Rwanda genocide survivor Jen Paul Samputu. He is an award-winning musician, and now an international peace and forgiveness activist. Astonishingly, his collaborator in activism is the man who killed his family. The two have reconciled!

It’s been quite a season for Social Subjects! Read about it in detail here.