A group of enthusiastic first year readers have been eagerly taking part in the ‘Spring into Reading’ challenge.

Pupils were set the task of reading one non-fiction book and two fiction books throughout March. On finishing their books, pupils were asked to write book reviews and post them on to the English Department’s GLOW webpage.

In April, those pupils who had participated in the challenge, along with Mr Purvis and Miss Barrowman OF THE English Department, formed a committee to judge the most interesting and informative book reviews.

The two worthy winners were Josh Mathieson and Stuart Murphy. Both Josh and Stuart produced confident and well written reviews. Josh assessed the latest ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ and ‘The Third Wheel’. Stuart enthused about the non-fiction book, ‘Ancient Egypt, Myths and Legends’. Stuart enjoyed reading about Ancient Egypt so much so that he was been inspired to read more non-fiction books. Josh recommends that his classmates read the latest Wimpy Kid edition, citing it as “very funny”.

Congratulations go to both boys who each received a book of their choice as a prize for their effort and enthusiasm.

Josh Mathieson and Stewart Murphy winners of Clyde Valley’s Spring Reading Challenge.

30 S1/2 pupils, who are studying German, recently visited the Goethe-Institut in Glasgow. The Goethe is currently celebrating the 200th birthday of the world famous, fairy tale collection of the Brothers Grimm with a worldwide fairy tale exhibition for children and young people.

This fairy tale collection is one of the most important books in  Germany’s cultural history. It has been translated into 160 languages and became part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 2005.

The exhibition featured many interactive elements to allow the pupils to hear, see and experience a fairy tale forest. They were taken through the main themes and motifs of German fairy tales: magic and witchcraft, animals and heroes and the recurring question: How topical are fairy tales today? Pupils discovered heroes and heroines, mystery and suspense and some spine-chilling features of contemporary literature and film that serve as modern reflections on these ever recurring themes. They also had the opportunity to take part in a story – telling session

The pupils l became totally engrossed in the tasks they were set and they all found it a very useful as very enjoyable experience. The pupils were accompanied by their German teacher, Mrs Dorothy Delaney and Mrs Elaine Osprey, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages.

Some of the Clyde Valley pupils, enjoying listening to a fairy tale at the Goethe Institute in Glasgow.