On Saturday morning many hundreds of parents and their children braved near Arctic conditions to attend Friends’ School Open Morning. Having battled through snow and ice they received a warm welcome from teachers and pupils alike. The Music department played and sang suitably seasonal offerings in the assembly hall and foyer and this helped to lift spirits on a bitterly cold morning. Mrs Dickson gave two talks in which she welcomed everyone and outlined the ethos and work of the school, emphasising academic, extra-curricular and community aspects of Friends’. The current Head Boy and Head Girl spoke of their positive experiences over seven years in the school and then parents and their children were assigned to Year 8 and Year 14 pupils for a guided tour.
The school was a hive of activity. Although the weather put paid to outside sporting activities it failed to dampen the enthusiasm of dozens of pupils putting on a wide range of displays of games and PE in the sports hall. The gym was given over to clubs and societies and visitors were treated to an impressive range of activities and displays including those from the trip to New York and Washington organised by the History and Politics departments, the Ski Club, the Equestrian Society, The Model United Nations and Current Affairs Societies, the Debating and Public Speaking Societies, Drama (with drama workshops in the English Department), Scripture Union, the Charity Committee (with input from Fields of Life), reports on Modern Languages trips, Young Enterprise explaining past and present products and campaigns, the Chess Club and displays on recent Boys’ Hockey and Rugby tours to Canada. Anyone still peckish after breakfast could enjoy sausages and bacon cooked on the spot by members of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme who also explained the great attraction and benefits of becoming involved in their activities.
Around the departments there was much for visitors to see and do with many interactive displays. More refreshment was available in Home Economics where there were cookery demonstrations. In the science departments pupils could test for Hydrogen and Oxygen, see a working model of a steam engine, learn how to use a microscope and be treated to a variety of small bangs and puffs of steam. There were also displays and activities in all other departments including the Junior Geography Club, the Modern languages Club, the Junior Science Club and the Junior Drama Club. More activity could be found in Art, Business Studies, English, Maths, RE, ICT and Technology, using modern facilities and demonstrating great creativity and the enjoyment of learning. Learning for Life and Work, Careers and the Library also gave insights into other areas of school life. The lasting impression was of a richly diverse, dynamic and happy environment. If you want to give us feedback on the open morning, please download a questionnaire from the School Information Section of the website and e-mail your response to the school web address http://www.friendsschoollisburn.org.uk/
On Saturday morning many hundreds of parents and their children braved near Arctic conditions to attend Friends’ School Open Morning. Having battled through snow and ice they received a warm welcome from teachers and pupils alike. The Music department played and sang suitably seasonal offerings in the assembly hall and foyer and this helped to lift spirits on a bitterly cold morning. Mrs Dickson gave two talks in which she welcomed everyone and outlined the ethos and work of the school, emphasising academic, extra-curricular and community aspects of Friends’. The current Head Boy and Head Girl spoke of their positive experiences over seven years in the school and then parents and their children were assigned to Year 8 and Year 14 pupils for a guided tour.
