Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

Band Night

Thanks to the Instrumental Music Instructors, pupils and staff from the music department for a fantastic evening

On Monday 21st March the school held its first Band Night which was a very successful evening of music featuring the Junior Band; Flute Ensemble; Saxophone Ensemble; Brass Ensemble and Senior Band.

Well done to all who performed including the pupils from the cluster primaries who play in the Junior Band

The Edinburgh Competition Festival The Saxophone Ensemble performed at the Edinburgh Competition Festival on Tuesday 1st March and they were invited back to play at the Highlights Concert on Sunday 13th March; where they performed Cantaloupe Island and The Pink Panther. Many congratulations to all our saxophonists and Instrumental Music Instructor Ms Stephen.

Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

The evening ended with refreshments and an opportunity to mingle and chat. Very well done to all involved!

On Wednesday 23rd March, Firrhill S3 fashion students and Braidburn pupils took part in a fashion show. Pupils modelled their creations - outfits, masks, jewellery and headdresses all made from reused materials. Special thanks to the staff, all the back stage crew, hair and make-up and the sound

Junk Couture Fashion Show

team for an enjoyable eco-themed catwalk event.

Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

Some Firrhill pupils took part in Wednesday’s Traditional Night as members of the ceilidh band. Firrhill’s Rowan Brothers also performed brilliantly.

Resonate 2016

A number of Firrhill musicians took part in Thursday’s Bands and Orchestras’ Evening. The Flute Ensemble was a combination of both Firrhill and Gracemount High School’s Flute Ensembles; the Edinburgh Secondary Schools Orchestra (ESSO) and Edinburgh Schools Wind Ensemble (ESWE) conducted by Firrhill parent Graeme Hodge, includes a large number of Firrhill pupils. The Edinburgh Schools String Training Orchestra (ESSTO) also performed.

Resonate is a series of concerts which take place annually in the Queens Hall, South Clerk Street at the end of the Spring Term. It is an opportunity for talented pupils from across Edinburgh to perform together. The concerts included: Jazz Night, Traditional Night; Rock and Pop Night, Strings and Guitars Night and the final night was the Bands and Orchestras’ Evening.

ESWE played Beatology, Toccata in D minor, Mamma Mia medley and Uptown Funk. The Flute Ensemble played You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman and the Great Escape March.

The school celebrated some excellent music exam results this term:

Trinity/ ABRSM Exam Results s

Callum Taylor S4 grade 7 tenor horn, distinction Mary Hargest S3 grade 5 keyboard, distinction Stephen Burrows S2 grade 1 jazz trombone, merit Finn Watkins S2 grade 1 jazz trombone, merit Alexander Hodge S1 grade 4 trombone, distinction Lewis Kerr P7 grade 3 trumpet, distinction Beth Moffat P7 grade 3 tenor horn, merit Naomi Anderson S6 grade 8 flute, merit Magnus Tait S3 grade 4 saxophone, pass Matthew Tait S3 grade 4 saxophone, pass Mhairi Buchan S1 grade 3 clarinet, pass Elysia Mullen S2 grade 2 flute, pass

Thanks to our Instrumental Music Instructors for their expert tuition and fabulous concerts

Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

On Friday 11th March the S3 Hockey team played in the East District S3 Hockey Tournament at Peffermill. The S3 team lost 2 matches and won 2 matches before beating Knox Academy 2-1 on penalties - with Kirsten and Ailsa scoring. Special mention to goalkeeper Karen, who was fantastic! The final plate match against Edinburgh Academy was lost on penalties 2-0 but the team gave a brilliant performance. Well done!

S3 Hockey - East District Tournament

Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

Waverley Care Milestone Shed Project On Friday 24th February Mrs Barley science teacher, Mrs Hargest, Firrhill parent attended a meeting with James Chapman and Karen Hamilton at Waverley Care Milestone to discuss the exciting recycled community shed project. Planning permission has

The shed will be sited in the grounds of Waverley Care Milestone in a beautiful corner which has raised beds nearby and these when planted, will make a lovely area for work and creativity.

been obtained and reused paving slabs laid (by the community payback team), ready for building. Reclaimed wood will be used instead of the originally planned cob bricks. The wood will undergo “blackening” a Japanese style of burning which preserves and decorates. Pyrographic pens will also be used to burn patterns onto wood. Firrhill pupils will pierce the bottle tops and thread them onto galvanised wire as decoration

Waverley Care Milestone has invited Firrhill High School pupils to be involved in this exciting eco project to build a shed from recycled materials.

Plastic bottle tops for decoration have been collected by Firrhill pupils, Colinton Parish Church, Braidburn School and Oxgangs Primary School.

Firrhill News May 2016 Produced by the Parent Council

A new Wednesday beginners’ chanter class at 4.00pm with teacher Andrew Gray has spaces for new pupils. If your child P3-S6 wishes to start chanter or snare drumming lessons contact Carolyn.hargest@btconnect.com

It is great for cluster and high school pupils to enjoy this opportunity to learn to play traditional Scottish music

Firrhill Pipe Band Club - New Bagpipes

On Monday the 29th February the Firrhill Pipe Band Club was delighted when two pupils received bagpipes on loan from the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust. The pupils need to learn how to blow the new pipes and how to correctly hold, dismantle and store them away. Pipes are wooden and need to be kept away from direct heat sources. Mike Prestsell piping instructor is very pleased that pupils have such a fantastic opportunity to play these lovely new bagpipes. Hopefully this will inspire younger pupils to practise more. Pupils generally should be able to play five tunes before they progress on to the pipes.

Clarsach lessons are available on Friday afternoons with teacher Julia Somerville

Also snare drumming lessons are available on Tuesdays at 4.00 - 4.30pm