Alan, from Charging through History, came into school and spent the morning with the entire S1. He spoke briefly about the Jacobite Rebellions and , off course , the Battle of Prestonpans .   Pupils quickly came to learn that the Jacobite Rebellions were not just a Scots vs English conflict !  Alan also dispelled the idea  of Mel Gibson pulling a broadsword over his head from a baldrick  ….. unless  he had seven foot arms !  The pupils then watched a very moving film on Culloden which showed the brutality of 18th century warfare .

Then the hands on session ! Some pupils had the chance to dress up in plaid and all pupils were given the chance to hold a broadsword and  a Brown bess musket rifle. Pupils commented on how heavy these were  and how difficult it would have been to fight with them.

Alan’s enthusiasm for the Jacobite period shone through and was very much appreciated by the pupils ! Again, the pupils were excellent and  they were a  credit to the school.

Last week the BBC contacted PLHS to say that James Armstrong and Kyle Davidson , both S2, had been successful with their entry into the BBC Competition : ‘Your Landscape Story : Our Crew ! ‘

In 300 words the boys had to tell their Landscape Story. Their story focuses on the landsape and history of this area. It looks at why, and where , the Battle of Prestonpans took place . The boys said that they would like to produce a film which would be a documentary / drama about the Battle – its effect on Prestonpans in 1745 and how it affects  Prestonpans today.

The boys stated that they could get their information, for the film  ,from a variety of sources -  from archaeologists from Glasgow University who were involved in  a dig at the battle site last year; from the Prestonpans re- enactment society,  from visiting Prestongrange Museum ….. all of these must have impressed the judges !

So, on Tuesday 15th June, a camera crew and technicians  from the BBC will come into PLHS to work with James , Kyle and 14 other lucky S1/2 pupils to help them produce their film .

 We can’t wait to see it on the BBC ! Well done James and Kyle !

The fourth year have done themselves, the RME department and the school proud this week by taking part in a seminar on euthanasia conducted by a team of dedicated professionals. The fourth year have impressed with their level of participation, their willingness to learn, their respect for the views of others and lastly their good manners on receiving visitors into their school.

Three of our communities ministers, Rev Dr Robin Hill, Rev Jamie Griggs and Rev Robert Simpson, together with our local youth worker, Nicola Bruce collaborated to present the seminar examining Christian attitudes to Euthanasia. Our guests demonstrated beautifully a spirit of compassion and understanding through their obvious fondness for one another and respect for each others views despite a possible conflict of opinion. The team were equally impressed with the pupils and particularly a group cutting a name for themselves in the RME department; Cameron Purves, Tara Guiney, Marwan Chouh, and Chloe Reid.

Euthanasia is an issue which will, at some point, touch the lives of most people making it an issue which has gained an extremely high profile in the media and modern political and academic debate. The MSP Margo McDonald is putting up a fight to have euthanasia and assisted suicide legislated in Scotland. On Monday, in the famous Dimbleby Lecture, Sir Terry Pratchett “made a provocative call for assisted suicide to be legalised.” Might this indicate public favour? The matter of legislature is one that concerns our S4 who have developed a firm understanding of the issues involved; like who make s critical decisions and how can we safeguard against unnecessary deaths?

This week’s seminar was an opportunity for us all to be reminded of our goals when considering such important ethical issues regardless of our religious identity; that man is capable of compassion and this compassion should guide us in our ethical endeavour.