During the second last week of term, the school held a special Awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of pupils in S1-S3 who had received at least one departmental nomination for Merit or for Endeavour. Guest of honour was Dave Bleakley from the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ organisation, one of the school’s close business partners.

Trained as a motivational speaker, ‘D’, as he likes to be known, reflected on the challenge of moving from his Belfast home during his teenage years to forge a new life in Scotland. He amused the young people with his amusing tales of how language can often mean different things to people from different countries.

‘D’ then spoke of how during teenage years, it can far too often become ‘uncool’ to learn in Scotland and implored all of the youngsters to discard such a mantle of negativity. He spoke of his own pride in qualifying to become a teacher and encouraged all of them to aspire to be the best learners they possibly can be.

He then graciously presented pupils with their individual Certificates of Achievement. The school wishes to thank ‘D’ Bleakley for his words of wisdom and also the Music Department for their wonderful contribution to the afternoon’s programme. A special mention must go to piper, Callum Cowan and snare drummer, Scott Esslemont who played ‘D’ into the theatre with Mr Sommerville.

‘D’ Bleakley with some of Clyde Valley’s S1-S3 award winners and with Callum Cowan and Scott Esslemont.

A party of senior German pupils, and staff, enjoyed a four-day educational excursion to Berlin during the second last week of session. Mrs Elaine Osprey, Mrs Dorothy Delaney, Mr Alan Carrol and Mr Colin Glover led the pupils in a hectic schedule of visits the city’s famous landmarks that included the Brandenberg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the traditional Nikolaiviertel District, the Olympic Stadium, Checkpoint Charlie and the zoo.

The party was excited to be passing the American Embassy when President Barrack Obama was actually visiting. Unfortunately the President was otherwise engaged and unable to join the party at any time!

 Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere of the city and visiting such world-famous landmarks, even if the 30 degree temperatures were hard to bear!

Our picture shows Clyde Valley’s senior pupils at the Brandenberg Gate.

As this school year draws to a close, we yet again find ourselves saying a fond farewell to a number of staff – all of whom have contributed a great deal to Clyde Valley. Mr Carrol, Ms Delaney and Ms McPhee are all retiring at the start of the summer, having dedicated over 80 years of teaching at CVHS between them. Mr Carrol, in particular, has never taught in any other school, giving a huge 37 years of his time, knowledge and kindness to this one building. All of them will be very sadly missed and we wish them all the best as they start their retirement.

Staff and pupils sent these popular teachers into the gentler pace of life after school with many cards and gifts. Ian Sommerville, Clyde Valley’s Head Teacher, paid his own tribute:

‘Alan, Dorothy, Heather and Geraldine have all given outstanding service to this school and have helped make us the school we have become over our 20 year history. They have been fantastic teachers and so proud to be members of the Clyde Valley community. On behalf of generations of pupils and parents, I wish them a richly deserved long, happy and healthy retirement.’

 With Mr Carrol now leaving, Mr Lanagan of the English department will shortly step into the role of permanent DHT for Curran House. While this will certainly bring many new challenges, we are confident that Mr Lanagan will not fail to continue the excellent work started by Mr Carroll and we wish him the very best of luck in his new role.

S6 pupils Josh Speirs, Adam Lawson, Alex Murphy, Sarah Thomson and Lucy Dundas present Alan Carrol, Depute Head Teacher in charge of the senior school, with a range of gifts to mark his retirement after 37 year’s service to Clyde Valley and Garrion Academy.

Clyde Valley’s 4 retirees gather to celebrate their last day in school: (from left to right) Heather Murray, Geraldine MacPhee, Alan Carrol and Dorothy Delaney.

Staff and the outgoing sixth year pupils gathered at the Avonbridge Hotel in Hamilton for their annual S6 Formal.

Alan Carrol, Depute Head Teacher, welcomed everyone before introducing school captains, Glenn McBride and Ricky Owens. Speaking also on behalf of girls’ captains, Eilidh McMath and Kelly Powell, the captains fondly remembered their six years at Clyde Valley and, with great humour, recalled some of the more bizarre events from their catalogue of memories. The duo finished off by paying tribute to the staff who had given them so many opportunities over their six years.

Ricky and Glenn then wished Mrs Geraldine MacPhee, Mrs Dorothy Delaney and Mrs Heather Murray all the very best in their pending retirement.

In a special tribute to Mr Alan Carrol, Depute Head Teacher of the Senior School and who also retires at the end of session, the boys thanked him for his wise guidance and support before presenting him with a gift and a card from all of the sixth year.

Replying on behalf of the staff, Mr Sommerville thanked the year group for their special contribution to the life of the school over the past six years.

Staff and pupils then danced the night away to celebrate their happy times together.

Houldsworth House are this year’s Inter House Champions. Houldsworth came out on top in a very competitive annual sports event, with Curran runner-up and Sneddon in third place. With double points being awarded for the sports, this edged Houldsworth into an unassailable lead at the top of the championship table. Houldsworth will now collect the Inter House Trophy at prize giving at the end of term.

Our picture captures one of the sports fun events, tackled with great enthusiasm by the piggy-backing boys!