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.