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.