Our S3 and S4 badminton team have made their very own piece of Clyde Valley history by capturing the silver medal and second place ion the recent NLC Schools Badminton Tournament. Zac Reid, Jack Reid, Derek Tyson, Matthew Turnball, Grant Wood, Donald Hannah, Neil McIntyre and Andrew Glover were delighted to show off their silver medals on their return to the school.

Clyde Valley’s S3/S4 badminton team with their hard-earned silver medals.

Our annual Charities Week took place over the last 4 days of term. This year’s chosen charity is Yorkhill Chidlren’s Hospital. The School Captains organised all of the activities under the direction of Mr Alan Carrol, Depute Head Teacher. The school staff provided a feast of entertainment each lunch time. They gave their time, their dignity and their cash all with equal generosity to help provide a fantastic end to a busy tear – and raised thousands of pounds for Yorkhill in the process.

 The week began when S5 and S6 pupils completed a sponsored slide up Tinto Hill. Monday’s ‘Pyjamathon’ meant S6 didn’t have to change when they got out their beds that morning.

 The Science Department won Monday’s Departmental X Factor against strong opposition from Humanities, Performing Arts and English. Mr Stephen Conway of the Computing Department won Tuesday’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ and did so ‘gangnam style’. Romance was in the air for staff during Wednesday’s Blind Date, hosted by Cilla Dean Dunne Black. Dance troupe ‘Dazzle’ won Wednesday evening’s Talent Show with a high energy performance of ‘Telephone’.

 The staff football team prepared for the annual charity challenge match versus the pupils by stuffing their faces full of the lovely goodies S6 had prepared for the staff coffee morning. Their fitness regime worked a treat as they produced scintillating football in a 6-6 draw. Mr Conway’s stunning overhead kick goal was the highlight as staff won on the away goals rule.

 Thursday morning’s entertainment completed a busy week with the winners of the talent shows performing once more in front of a packed theatre. Pupils also enjoyed staff locked in ‘gladatorial battle’ and waited patiently for their favourite event of the week, ‘Teacher Gunge’. At the time of going to print, Mr Carrol was the clear favourite to sample the beans and custard tidal wave.

 Although a final total has still to be calculated, the school is delighted to confirm it will be making a donation to Yorkhill Hospital well in excess of £4000.

Some of the groups of pupils who took such an active part in last week’s charities week programme.

Parents of pupils in the school’s S1 and S2 support groups joined staff for a celebration coffee afternoon in the staffroom. The pupils proudly pointed out the work they had produced in class and were equally pleased to take our visitors outside to view the lovely flower beds they tend so expertly. Our parents were delighted to watch their children perform with such confidence and obvious pride in the work they had produced throughout the term.

Congratulations to the four Clyde Valley pupils who were members of the local S3/S4 combined schools team who were worthy winners of the Rose Bowl Trophy. The team played some first class rugby to overcome a strong team from St Maurice’s High School in the final. The victorious side was praised for their stylish performance, with a strong frontline ably supported by the creative flair of the backs.

Clyde Valley’s Rugby Rose Bowl winners (from left to right): Jonathan Carle, Ryan Burrell, Andrew Glover and Nicholas Carle

Congratulations Lauren King of S6 and Ryan Burrell of S4 for receiving Runners-Up Awards in their respective categories at the national YouthLink Scotland Awards Ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. The gala occasion celebrated youth work across the entire country with the winners coming from as far afield as the Isle of Lewis, Aberdeen, Dundee and the Scottish Borders.

 Lauren was one of two runners-up in the category Peer Educator of the Year, while Ryan’s success came in the Volunteer of the Year section. Lauren and Ryan were two of three finalists from North Lanarkshire schools, the third being David Cunningham from St Margaret’s High School in Airdrie. David was recognised in the category Role Model/Mentor of the Year.

Proudly displaying their awards, Ryan Burrell (extreme left) and Lauren King flank Mrs Jane Liddell, Head of Service within Learning and Leisure Services at the YouthLink Scotland Awards Ceremony. David Cunningham (St Margaret’s High School) is on the right.

The recent staff Fair Trade Coffee Morning raised a magnificent £202. The school’s Fair Trade Committee has decided to donate the money to the Mary’s Meals Organisation to support families in some of the world’s poorest families. The Fair Trade Committee would like to thank all of the staff for their very generous support.

Popular teenage novelist Gillian Philip was a very popular visitor to the school last week. A past ‘Catalyst Book Award’ finalist, Gillian led a creative writing master class with members of English classes 3.1 and 3.2. Gillian spoke of the process and discipline of being a writer. She gave the school’s budding young writers a unique insight into how she found the inspiration for her many popular teen novels. Gillian then led a lively, and challenging, question and answer session in which she answered very honestly, and often with great humour, the questions posed by the young writers who were all seeking advice ion how best to start their own works of fiction.

Top children’s author, Gillian Philip (standing left), with just some of Clyde Valley’s third year creative writers.

Congratulations go to the S3/4 boys’ badminton team who came 2nd in the North Lanarkshire Badminton League last week.  In a close-run event, only 2 points separated first and second places. Each team member played his part in an outstanding group effort in which there were no failures. Our silver medalists were Zac Reid, Jack Reid, Derek Tyson, Matthew Turnbull, Grant Wood, Donald Hannah, Neil McIntyre and Andrew Glover.

Carolina Richardson of S6 has just returned from La Manga in Spain where she performed for the Scottish Ladies Under-19 Football Team in a four-nation tournament involving Iceland, England and Italy. Carolina added to her already impressive caps tally as she helped the Scots to emerge undefeated, with three highly impressive performances. Carolina starred in a fine 2-1 win in the opening fixture against England. She played her own part in a battling 4-4 draw against Iceland, with the Scots fighting back from a 3-1 interval deficit. Carolina and her teammates tasted sweet success in a most convincing 7-3 thumping of Italy. Carolina has had an outstanding footballing career throughout her time in Clyde Valley and she is undoubtedly the school’s most capped footballer to date.

Clyde Valley pupils actively supported the recent Fair Trade Fortnight. A number of subject departments studied the impact of Fair Trade activity in combating third world poverty. The library hosted a colourful display of work from these departments.

Claire Megahy and Leah Grant, of third year and members of the school’s Fair Trade Committee, spoke to each morning assembly to ensure all pupils understood the concept of Fair Trade and to inform pupils some of the ways in which Clyde Valley supports this commitment.

Finally, the Fair Trade Committee teamed up with the S3 Hospitality class to run a highly successful Fair Trade Staff Coffee Morning. Staff generously supported the morning. As a consequence the Fair Trade Group will be making a presentation to the Maggie’s Meals organisation which works to ensure countries facing poverty benefit from the work of the school.

Clyde Valley’s Fair Traders, with members of the school’s S3 Hospitality class preparing for the Staff Fair Trade Coffee Morning.

Elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament are now taking place and all over the school pupils have been voting for who they would like to represent them for the area of North Lanarkshire. Clyde Valley’s own Lauren King in S6 is in the running to keep her seat and be re-elected for another year.

The work of the Scottish Youth Parliament is vital in providing a voice for the young people of Scotland. It focuses on the real issues affecting young people todaya nd strives to  make changes for the better, ultimately benefiting all young people.

To read the candidates manifestos and cast your votes, follow this link: MSYP Election

Voting closes on March 15th.

Preparations are now in full swing for Clyde Valley’s Charities Week at the end of term. Our S6, with the help of Mr Carrol, have created a fantastic programme of events that is sure to be enjoyed by all. This year’s entertainment includes the annual ‘Departmental X-Factor’,  ‘Blind Date’ and new for this year ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ As well as this, the traditional teacher ‘Gunging’ will take place on the last day of term, along with a host of other activities, including ‘Gladiator’.

This year we hope to raise even more money for charity with S6 pupils taking part in a sponsored climb to the top of Tinto and providing the home-baking for a staff coffee morning. To top off a great week there will of course be an evening of music and dance with the traditional Clyde Valley’s Got Talent show on the Wednesday evening.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from the S6 pupils during lunchtime in Canteen 1. Tickets for the week’s activities cost £4 while the evening talent show is an additional £4.

Approximately 60 S4 Standard Grade History pupils travelled to the Vue Cinema in Hamilton last week for a private showing of the latest Steven Spielberg blockbuster, ‘Lincoln’. History Teacher, Mrs Lynsay Ashton organised the visit because of the film’s coverage of one of the Standard Grade History’s key topics ‘the Abolition of Slavery’ and its link with ‘The House Divided – the American Civil War’.

 The pupils could not fail to be impressed by the intensity of the production and character portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln, so majestically captured by now Oscar winner, Daniel Day-Lewis. The party found the production insightful and one that brought the history of that period very much to life.

Approximately 20 first and second year pupils recently travelled to the Ravenscraig National Sports Complex to take part in the North Lanarkshire Schools Heptathlon. The pupils committed one hundred percent effort as they tackled the 7 indoor tests of their stamina and strength. They thoroughly enjoyed testing themselves to their personal limits, and by competing against athletes from other NLC schools.

Clyde Valley’s S1 and S2 heptathletes at the recent games event held at the Ravenscraig Sports Complex.

Ailsa Wylie, a key member of the Scotland Women’s Hockey Team held a hockey master class for our S1 hockey players last week. Ailsa demonstrated some the key skills she has developed over her many years of playing for the national team and spoke of her experiences with the side.

 All of our young players thoroughly enjoyed Ailsa’s coaching and words of encouragement and look forward to her return visit in the not too distant future. Thanks to David Kennedy, our Active Sports Coordinator for organising the visit through the Champion in Sports Initiative.

 Those taking part were: Gemma Muir, Nicole Dunning, Caitlin Thomson, Carly Murray, Leah Hannah, Aleksandra Komarek, Stuart Murphy, Paul Codona and Euan Bradshaw

Members of the school’s Science Club have been reaching directly for the stars recently. Miss Anushi Pathmanathan and Mrs Christina Smith have been thrilled by the concentration and enthusiasm demonstrated by those coming along to the lunchtime sessions.

 One highlight of recent weeks was the team’s attempts to launch a rocket into space. Mr Alex Martin, the schools Technical Technician was sufficiently kind to build the school’s own unique rocket launcher. Mr Paul Lamie, our trainee Science Technician, was also on hand to give our budding astronauts advice and direction.

 Everyone attending the Science Club was wowed by the highly effective rocket launch, even if it failed to scale great heights!

Well done to our senior rock band ‘Blue Diamonds’ who performed brilliantly at last Friday’s Go XL concert at the Civic Theatre. Band members, Jamie Blades, Kelly Powell, Leonna Murray, Ross Garrard, Ricky Owns, Declan Blair and Glenn McBride well vocally supported throughout their three-number set by their backing singers from Wishaw Academy Primary School.

 The event was the culmination of many rehearsals with the P7 pupils, over several weeks. Congratulations also to Project Managers, Jon Connelly and Mark Scott of sixth year, who coordinated the band’s involvement with the Music Foundry.

The art work of Barry Jenkins, of sixth year, recently featured in a special celebration of the creations of local school artists. The event was organised by the Youth Arts and Literary Guild. It was held at the Tudor Hotel in Airdrie and has attracted keen interest. Barry’ work is incredibly thoughtful and provocative. He intends pursuing a career in an art and design industries when he leaves school.

Barry Jenkins and his Art Teacher, Miss Wendy McKenna, stand in front of Barry’s self portrait at the recent Arts Festival Exhibition in Airdrie.

Former member of staff and vastly experienced public speaking mentor, Mrs Elizabeth Clarke returned to Clyde Valley last week to lead Public Speaking Master Classes for our budding S1 and S2 orators. As a member of staff over many years, Mrs Clarke coached generations of Clyde Valley pupils to local and national success in a raft of public speaking competitions. She was delighted to share the wealth of her experience with some 20 very enthusiastic young speakers. The speakers, in turn, demonstrated real enthusiasm as they delivered elements of speeches they had already prepared. Under Mrs Clarke’s guidance, the speakers quickly developed an appreciation of the key skills of public speaking and how to improve delivery. Miss Claire Douglas, of the English Department and the school’s new lead teacher for public speaking, organised the visit with Mrs Clarke. Mrs Clarke will return later in the session to monitor the development of our young speakers.

Further to Mrs Clarke’s visit, three of Clyde Valley’s Junior public speakers have recently been visiting a number of our partnership primary schools. Claire Megahy, Niamh Speirs and Lauryn Brown have now visited 8 of our 9 partnership schools. The pupils have accompanied Mrs Louise Smith and Miss Claire Douglas of the English Department who have been leading public speaking workshops with budding orators.

 Miss Douglas commended the enthusiasm and clarity of the contributions our young speakers as they informed their primary school counterparts of public speaking opportunities at Clyde Valley. Those taking part, with the schools they visited, were: Claire Megahy – Wishaw Academy, Netherton and Berryhill; Niamh Speirs – Castlehill, Newmains and Overtown; Lauryn Brown – Morningside and Thornlie

Mrs Elizabeth Clarke, at the lectern, with the school’s junior public speakers.

Representatives from the Gideons International were welcome return visitors to first year assembly last week. Mr Bill Kemp has been a regular visitor to the school for many years. On this occasion, his wife, Isabella, accompanied Mr Kemp.

 Mr Kemp informed pupils of how the Gideons organisation was formed, and spoke of the worldwide work they do. He was pleased to show pupils the range of New Testament Bibles the Gideons present to various groups. He then showed a highly informative DVD that not only illustrated the work of the Gideons but also explained how pupils might consider using the individual copy of the New Testament he would be delighted to present to every first year pupil.

As pupils left assembly, Mr and Mrs Kemp presented each pupil with their own copy of the New Testament.

Mr Bill Kemp and Mrs Isabella Kemp of Gideons International with just some of the Clyde Valley first year pupils to whom they presented New Testament Bibles