H2O welcomes Rachel to the youth work team

Hope 2 Oban in pleased to introduce Rachel Stanfield, who today joins Denise and Ewen in the H2O youth work team.
Rachel joins us from Callander Youth Project and brings an array of gifts and talents to the team. Her brief includes working alongside our local partners at Atlantis Leisure, Stramash and Oban Youth Cafe. This compliments H2O's core work in and around Oban High School helping to meet the needs of local young folk.

Oban young folk at SSC National Easter Camp.

Aberfoyle was the place to be with SSC over the Easter weekend at Dounans Outdoor Centre. Young folk converged on the Centre from Aberdeenshire, Fife, Edinburgh and of course, Argyll. Several 'new campers' who had first ventured into the world of SSC in February with the visit to Tobermory made it two in a row, with talk of making their way to Struan this coming summer for the main camping opportunity.

SingSong, icebreakers, forest walks, sports and the mega multi-media quiz were on the agenda for the time spent in Aberfoyle, with an unexpected appearance of some scary birds of prey during a visit to the Aberfoyle Scottish Woollens visitors' centre.

With national SSC presentations to schools and groups well under way, things are hotting up for Struan 2009, with Argyll continuing to make the biggest representation nationally and Oban and Lochgilphead constantly vying for 1st place.

Easter Time at Oban High School, a time of change or transformation?

Two end-of-term Easter services, coordinated by the H2O team, took place at Oban High School as the holiday period approached, particularly considering 'change' and how the Good News of Jesus transforms folk.

Easter music and a powerful drama, Made in the Image of God, was provided by Craig Lodge Community. Easter Bible readings on video were presented by the OHS Captains and Jayne Powers, librarian at OHS, shared how Jesus has transformed her life and brought her to a time of change as she prepares to follow God's leading for her life and move to Malawi. In July, Jayne is joining 'Joy to the World', a Christian charity committed to sharing the practical love of Jesus in that country.

After the services, Head Teacher Peter Bain commented, "I can safely say that these are easily the best Easter Services I have witnessed – and I have obviously seen many. My praise is based on the interest shown by the pupils; an interest generated by the diversity of presentation skills employed in getting the message over and I am very clear that this goal was achieved."

Hope 2 Oban locks up young people overnight!

Yes, it's true! over 175 S1 pupils were locked in to Atlantis Leisure from 10pm on 27th March until 8am the next morning. What did they do in that time? Everything Atlantis Leisure had to offer, including regular sports and activities (football, badminton, dance etc etc etc), but also for a bit of fun and frolics....... Cycle Kilimanjaro, Row Round Mull and the increasingly poular Extreme Ironing!! Add to this hamster balls in the pool, Big Screen Cinema and Wii and start to get the idea of just how much fun was had.

Big thanks to our volunteers from loads of local charities and organisations as well as contributions in the nourishment department from local businesses. Special thanks to the Atlantis team, Cafe Atlantis, the S6 and S5 assistant leaders and particularly the superb S1 year group, without whom the event would not have been the same.

Oban High School is right to be proud of its young people.