Pupils in all year groups contributed as Clyde Valley embraced this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme ‘Communities Together’. To reinforce the message of community, staff and pupils from S1 to S6 were invited to visit the library at lunchtime on Thursday to sit for group photographs. These were taken by Digital Photography student, Emma Mooney. Emma’s photographs will now be displayed in the Art Department and the Library.

S1 pupils commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day during lessons and House Time. In English, pupils watched the HMD film, ‘Learning from the Past’, and reflected upon the wrong-doing and injustice of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. Pupils from each English class read the poem, ‘First They Came’, by German Pastor, Martin Niemoller.  At S3 and S4 assemblies, pupils viewed the very poignant HMD DVD ‘Lessons Learnt’. In German, S1 pupils studied the book-burning activities of the Nazi regime and the conditions in Auschwitz- Birkenau Concentration Camps.

Glenn McBride and Graham Ramage of sixth year, made a most moving contribution. Earlier this year, and as part of a Scottish-wide delegation, Glenn and Graham joined Mrs May Mackenzie, Principal Teacher of Humanities, on a day trip to Poland to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps. The boys spoke to S1 assembly and to German classes of their hauntingly moving experience.  Glenn and Graham prepared a PowerPoint presentation to show some of the poignant pictures they took and spoke very sincerely about the life-changing impact the visit had on them. As an act of remembrance for the victims of genocide, pupils and staff signed a pledge to challenge the language of hatred.

Louise Pollock and Kirstin Scott of fifth year were among the talented North Lanarkshire Artists whose work was celebrated at the official opening of the Kilbowie Summer School Creative Residency event. Last June, many of the most talent artists and musicians spent a week at Kilbowie Outdoor Centre for a  programme of work in their specialist field, supported by leading artists and musicians. The stunning work the pupils produced is now on display at the Summerlee Heritage Centre in Coatbridge.

If you like the sound of a creative Residency and are currently in S4, why not speak to your English, Art or Drama teacher and register your interest.

Louise is photographed with her stunning screen-print design, while Kirstin is seen next to the vibrant landscape of the coastline around Kilbowie.

Two Clyde Valley pupils again featured in the Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club Annual Burns Supper. Eilidh Murray and Rachel Moon of fourth year performed last year, and were delighted to be invited back. Eilidh recited ‘To A Louse’, capturing beautifully the sardonic wit of the bard as he used such an apparently insignificant creature as a means of passing comment on the society of his times. Rachel’s lilting rendition of ‘My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose’ beautifully captured the touching sincerity of a man paying respectful homage to the woman who has overwhelmed his heart. Rachel deserves special praise for performing only days after tearing leg ligaments while taking part in the Outward Bound experience. Rachel supported herself with crutches to allow the show to go on!

Eilidh Murray (far left) and Rachel Moon (far right) with the other top table guests: Stewart Houston (Rotary Club of Biggar), Patricia Leslie (President Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs), Helen Morrison (President Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club) and accompanist, Isobel Robertson.

Five Clyde Valley pupils had major contributions at last week’s Motherwell Heritage Centre’s annual Burns Supper held at the Bentley Hotel in Motherwell. Callum Cowan, an experienced member of North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band, played a medley of tunes on the pipes and escorted the afternoon’s principal guest, the haggis!

Liam Dunnachie had the audience in fits of laughter with his sardonic ‘Toast to the Lassies’ in which he eventually paid tribute to those he reluctantly praised as ‘the fairer sex’. Niamh Speirs exacted sweet revenge, however, with her powerfully witty ‘response’ on behalf of the lassies. With bitingly ironic reflection, Niamh undoubtedly reinforced the position of our ‘bonnie lassies’ as holding the upper hand over the men!

Claire Megahy’s rendition of ‘Address to the Toothache’ wonderfully captured how Robert Burns was able to capture so accurately many of life’s irritations and in uniquely reverential manner that generated humour and empathy in equal measure. Amy MacFarlane’s beautiful voice was able to capture the emotion behind the flowing lyrics with her contribution ‘He left his land her sweetest sangs’.

Miss Claire Douglas, of the English Department, and school librarian Miss Marie McGough both worked with the Clyde Valley pupils beforehand and accompanied them to what they described as an ‘uplifting and inspiring celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns’.

The school would like to record its appreciation to the Heritage centre for its warm reception of our young people and to members, Bob Dalziel and Elizabeth Totten, the other principal contributors to what was a marvelous occasion.

The main contributors at the Motherwell Heritage Centre’s annual Burns Supper (from left to right) Bob Dalziel, Amy MacFarlane, Niamh Speirs, Elizabeth Totten, Claire Megahy, Liam Dunnachie and Callum Cowan.

Mrs Lynsay Ashton, Teacher of History, was delighted to present 75 bag packs to the Malawi Bag Pack Appeal and a cheque for £130 to the Mary’s Meals organisation. Throughout November and December, pupils across the school were busy collecting equipment and clothing that could be placed in packs to be sent to Malawi to support the under-privileged children of that country. Some House Classes donated money instead of collecting goods. All of the donations have now been sent to Mary’s Meals, the umbrella organisation that coordinates the support work in Malawi. The school is delighted it has been able to help educate and feed so many children for an entire year through their donations.

Mrs Lynsay Ashton and some of the pupils from S-S6 who contributed to the bag packs and Mary’s Meals donation.

It was with great sadness the school learned of the sudden passing, during the Christmas holidays, of Martin Brady, the school’s longest-serving member of the janitorial team. Having worked in the school for some 12 years, Martin Brady was a hugely popular figure around Clyde Valley, his friendly manner and cheerful disposition greatly appreciated by staff, pupils and parents alike. Always keen to support pupil activities, Martin Brady loved nothing better than to join in the fancy dress antics of the Halloween Disco, with our young people always intrigued by his stylish and often unusual costumes!

Martin’s presence will be greatly missed around Clyde Valley. The thoughts of every member of the school community are with Martin’s partner and family at this saddest of times.