Congratulations to Kayley Pollock of S4 whose career in the martial art of karate goes from strength to strength. Kayley’s latest award came when she captured a silver medal in her category at the latest national Grand Prix event. Everyone at Clyde Valley records our congratulations to Kayley and look forward to learning of her future successes in this most challenging of disciplines

Pupils from S1 and S2 recently travelled to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow to take part in the annual schools’ competition. Miss Wendy McKenna and Mrs Julie Menzies of the Art Department led the group who marvelled at the stunning exhibits and were inspired by the creativity all around them.

After enjoying a tour of the main galleries, pupils and staff became immersed in their own creations, sketching and drawing some of the many wonderful items around the museum. The visit to Kelvingrove is always one of the highlights of the Art department calendar and this year’s visit was no exception.

Clyde Valley’s young artists proudly display the fruits of their day’s sketching at the Kelvingrove gallery.

Congratulations to our junior badminton team who rounded off a highly successful season by capturing the bronze medal in the recent North Lanarkshire Commonwealth Games Badminton finals at Wishaw Sports Centre. Well done to Laila Dougan, Jaqueline Sweetin, Zoe Knox, Nathan Wale, Jordan Brown and Liam McGhie who all played their part in an absorbing round robin event.

After their own competition, the pupils enjoyed meeting some of Scotland’s top badminton players who will be participating in the Games proper in a matter of weeks. They also took part enthusiastically in the lively question and answer session with these international athletes, taking the opportunity to gain tips for their own development and future success.

Days after earning a bronze medal in the North Lanarkshire Schools junior Badminton tournament, Clyde Valley’s badminton team received exciting news from the sports, national governing body. In recognition of their participation, their success in local and district competitions, BADMINTONScotland has declared Clyde Valley’s entire squad their Schools’ Badminton Team of the Month for June 2014.

This award was launched in 2010 and recognises schools whose badminton players have demonstrated exceptional commitment and skills levels. Well done to Miss Clare McCrory, of the PE Department, and all our dedicated players!

The Clyde Valley Junior Badminton team – (Back row: left to right) Laila Dougan, Zoe Knox and Jaqueline Sweetin; Front row: Jordan Brown, Liam McGhie and Nathan Wale.

S2 pupils enjoyed a day off normal timetable last week to take part in a full day’s programme aimed at raising their awareness of the Commonwealth.

Their day began when some of North Lanarkshire Council’s Games Legacy Ambassadors and representatives from Young Scot spoke of the opportunities the XX Glasgow Commonwealth Games offered the people of our local area. This included highlighting all the places and activities that would promote healthy lifestyles and an indication of the beautiful attractions located within North Lanarkshire.

Pupils enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the many and varied countries of the Commonwealth and took time to look at the wonderful displays produced by second year pupils across a range of subjects.

As the Games promote physical activity, pupils then tackled a range of sports and challenges, including a number of team-building games. Everyone had a fun-filled and highly educational day and took part with huge enthusiasm. A big thanks goes to Miss Claire Douglas of the English Department and her coordinating team of staff.

The project will finish before the end of session with a visit to the main Games venues, including Celtic Park and Hampden Park.

S2 pupils tackle one of the day’s team-building challenges.