This frightful Halloween, Clydeview Academy was host to a spectacular Halloween Bonanza to remember, open to all S1 pupils. The night was mostly hosted by our S6 students, and was divided into six different stations which were Disgusting Dissections, Fake Trick-or-Treating, Biscuit Decorating, The Haunted Corridor, Ghoulish Games, and Zombie Zumba.

The night was very busy, with six large groups of first years moving around the different stations in fifteen-minute slots.

Over at Disgusting Dissections, we had two ‘dead bodies’ lying on a table, while a mad scientist – Professor Nefarious – told the horrifying story about how they died. Professor Nefarious’s poor victims were Sally Sylvia Slocombe and Grizelda Prodworthy. The aim of the station was to resurrect the bodies and bring them back to a (somewhat) live state. We had three evil doctors – Dr Killmore, Dr Crusher, and Dr Malpractice – who were handling the brains and the blood of the S1s with late homework…

Assistant 79 was also on hand and she handled the real-life heart, lungs, and liver as they were placed on top of the lab’s latest victims! After all the organs were in place, the assistant gave a shot of adrenaline, making the bodies rise from the dead while clutching a skull-topped staff. We also had zombies under the tables who sprayed water on our guests who were then quickly evacuated from the premises, before any more dangerous antics could occur.

A variety of props were used to create a sense of realism and an eerily realistic scene within the disgusting dissections station. We had a false severed arm to represent Sally and Griselda’s severed limbs laying on a desk. Meanwhile, a pot of red noodles and a cauliflower stuffed with jelly symbolised the brains and blood. There was also a hacksaw, mallet, and chisel to add to the atmosphere.

 

The S6s found the Halloween night very enjoyable and liked the idea of a leadership role within a formal event, here’s what some of them said:

“I found it very fun because we’re S6s, we got to set up the activities. Our group was disgusting dissections which was very fun because a lot of it was unscripted which just added to the laughs, I feel.”

 

– Euan S, 6E

“I really enjoyed it; I loved seeing all the costumes and there were some original ones. My favourite was Chappel Roan, I saw someone dressed as her. Also, they were all starting their own games which was fun to watch and I loved their jokes as well. Some were funnier than others but many of them were good and it was funny seeing them trying to work out what to say.”

– Linzi C, 6D

“It was great! We got to interact with some of the students and figure out their personalities and whatnot as they were telling us the jokes. It was quite nice to put voices to faces, if that makes any sense, they were a lot of fun and quite funny too.”

– Ewan J, 6B

“I really enjoyed it, it was so much fun! I played the part of the mad scientist, Professor Nefarious, and some of my friends played the evil doctors. We had such a great time performing our story which was completely unscripted and was different each time we performed it. It was definitely enjoyed by the S1s because they were all laughing and screaming throughout the session and that’s exactly what we wanted. I would certainly encourage next year’s S6s to take part in this because it was such a fun experience.”

– Jack R, 6E

As for a few of the other stations, the Haunted Corridor team had a good time terrifying the S1 cult after a scary story from Mr. Walker, the Ghoulish Games were enjoyed by all (despite the fact that they nearly ran out of donuts) and there were some frightening creations at the Biscuit Decorating.

The S1 pupils thoroughly enjoyed the night and we’re sure that they can’t wait to return as helpers when they’re in S6. All in all, this year’s Clydeview Halloween Bonanza was a night to remember for everyone involved and something for next year’s S1s and S6s to look forward to.

Article by Mirren Morrison and Iris Paterson