Over the last couple of weeks, the Wonderful World Club, hosted by the Geography Department, has hosted a number of ‘teacher talks’. In these, teachers have been informing pupils about their own experiences of the wider world, relaying to them the sights, sounds and pictures of their experiences.

Miss Lucy Kelly, herself a Geography teacher, recalled her time in Bolivia in South America. She recalled the warmth of the people and her visit to the breath-taking Bolivian Salt Flats.

English teacher, Miss Clare Daly entertained pupils with her recollections of spending the summer of 2013 living on a farm in Zambia. Miss Daly handed out valuable advice, advising pupils never to stand between a hippo and its route back to the river!

The highlight of Miss Daly’s trip was undoubtedly watching the sun go down over the Luangwa River. The Luangwa is one of the main tributaries of the Zambesi and provided spectacular views for Miss Daly.

The most recent talk featured Modern Languages teacher, Mrs Hedda McLeod telling of her time spent living in Soviet Russia during the late eighties. This time of great change in Eastern Europe, found Miss McLeod experiencing the hardship of food shortages and queuing for basic food supplies. On a brighter note Miss McLeod also spoke of the beauty and history of some Russian buildings, such as St Basil’s Orthodox Cathedral in Red Square.

Each Teacher Talk has been accompanied by a slide show of photographs bringing the information to life. The next talk will take place on Thursday 5th June and will feature Modern Languages teacher, Mr Christopher Gibney, speaking of his time in Spain and France.

The photograph shows Miss Kelly (back left) and Miss Daly with the audience who were present for Miss Daly’s talk of her time spent in Zambia.

Pauline McLeish and Carolyn Thornton from the ‘Make A Wish Foundation’ were very welcome guests last week. On behalf of the entire school, Captains, Adam Lawson, Karen Perry and Josh Speirs, presented Pauline and Carolyn with a cheque for £7,300, the magnificent total raised during our recent Charities Week. Mr Vincent Lanagan, Depute Head Teacher in charge of S4-S6, who assisted the captains with the coordination, was also on hand to meet our visitors.

Pauline and Carolyn said, ‘We can’t thank the staff and pupils of Clyde Valley enough for this magnificent donation. Please know your generosity will allow ‘Make a Wish’ to bring moments of spectacular joy to a number of young people, and their families, at a time when they are battling illness and life-limiting conditions.

Having seen the pictures of the week’s events, we’re both just sorry we missed what looked like great fun! Well done and thanks to you all.’

Cheque Presentation (left to right): Adam Lawson, Pauline McLeish, Karen Perry, Carolyn Thornton, Vincent Lanagan and Josh Speirs.