Congratulations to January’s Literacy Stars of the Month. This month’s competition combined with this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme of ‘Journeys’. Pupils were asked to write about a difficult or life-changing journey or experience. Once again, the standard of work that was submitted was extremely impressive. All of the winning entries are now on display in the English corridor.

Well done to January’s ‘Stars’:  1^st Lisa Conlon (2C1); 2^nd Stuart Murphy (2C1); 3rd equal Cara Sinnett (1H1) and Meghan Hill (2C1).

Clyde Valley’s January Literacy Stars with their prize books (from left to right) Meghan Hill, Cara Sinnett, Stuart Murphy and Lisa Conlon

December’s Literacy Stars received a novel by one of their favourite authors in recognition of their winning entry. Writing in verse and in prose, December’s theme of ‘What Christmas Means to Me’ attracted a high number of entries. Mr Sommerville presented the four winners with their novels before the end of term.

Well done to 1^st Abby Cockburn 1C2; 2^nd Leah Hannah 2H2; 3^rd = Caitlin Jeffrey 1C1 and Chloe Watson 1C2.

December’s Literacy Stars: Seated: Leah Hannah (left) and Abby Cockburn; Standing: Chloe Watson (left) and Caitlin Jeffrey)

Copies of all the entries made to the competition can be found displayed along the English corridor. Abby’s winning piece will shortly appear below for all to read.

Each month, Miss Douglas and the English department run a competition to decide on the ‘Literacy Star.’ The theme changes throughout the year, with entrants asked to complete a short piece of writing in a particular genre, linked to the theme.

For November, the theme was ‘Remember, Remember’ with pupils asked to create a short story or poem.

The standard was incredibly high, but eventually a winner and three runners-up were chosen:

1st – Cara Sinnett from 1H1

2nd – Meghan Hill from 2C1
3rd – Iona Orr from 1C2
3rd – Ewan Findon from 1C1

Read Cara’s winning entry below.

Remember Remember

The Sergeant

I shuffled through the crowd. I was old now and could hardly move, never mind walk. But still I found myself standing to attention before the war memorial. As the gun sounded, I was mentally transported back to my time in the war.

I was haunted by the faces of the men who I had fought with, who never returned home. And yet, only one soldier was able to bring a measure of comfort to my tormented, twisted mind.

The echoing screams of the wounded soldiers continued to play through the minds of those remaining. This made it almost unbearable. The battle had raged for hours, with neither side gaining any advantage. Many had died and many were severely injured. Finally, a lull was caused due to sheer exhaustion of the men fighting on both sides.

During this time, a young soldier, David, approached me, pleading to be allowed to ‘go over the top’ to the fighting field. I couldn’t understand this; the boy couldn’t be any older than nineteen. The soldier explained that his friend was up top and that he needed to at least try to save him. I said gently that his friend had very little chance of survival, but seeing the desperation in his eyes, I let him go.

Later, I scanned the bodies of those who had been injured, searching for the young soldier David that had requested to go searching for his friend. I found him, dying, soaked in blood. His face was drawn and pale. I started to cry at the sight of his crippled frail body, knowing he would never stand again. Before I could apologise, he gripped my hand and said, “When I found my friend he was dying, so I stayed with him. His last words were ‘I knew you would come.’ ” With that, his heart stopped beating and his eyes closed over. “Goodbye,” I said as I let go of his hand.

I stood before the war memorial and could almost hear David whispering, “I knew you would come.”

Winner, Cara Sinnett, proudly displays her book prize for the ‘Literacy Star of the Month’