Inter House Public Speaking:

Sneddon House triumphed in both the Intermediate and Senior Inter House Public Speaking Competitions. The Sneddon Intermediate duo of Niamh Speirs and Leah Grant both produced strong speeches to edge the Houldsworth pairing of Raina Owens and Liam Dunnachie. Jodie Barrett and Claire Megahy represented Curran and also delivered stylish speeches in a closely contested event.

The senior event proved to be a titanic struggle between Clyde Valley’s public-speaking ‘big-hitters’. Josh Speirs and Heather Waugh were Sneddon’s winning duo, finishing just ahead of Eilidh Murray and Rachel Moon, a formidable Houldsworth partnership. Aaron Winter and Rebecca Forrester ensured Curran also played their part in one of the best senior suite of performances in recent years.

Raina Owens was crowned this year’s Intermediate with an often amusing and certainly touching tribute to her mum with a speech entitled ‘A Girl’s Best Friend’. Josh Speirs delivered a masterful performance with ‘The Unfeathered Kind’, a sardonic account of his first-ever romantic encounter.

Mr Sommerville, the school’s Head Teacher, was joined at the judges table by Mrs Evelyn Neilson, Depute Head, and Pauline O’Neill, Learning and Leisure Services Quality Improvement Officer. In his summing up, Mr Sommerville recorded the unanimous view of the judges that the standard this year had been quite outstanding.

All of the competitors from the inter house public speaking competition. Raina Owens (back left) was the intermediate individual Winner. Seated is the victorious Sneddon team (from left to right) Leah Grant, Josh Speirs, Heather Waugh and Niamh Speirs. Josh was also the individual winner in the senior contest.

At the end of October, Josh Speirs and Andrew Morley of sixth year joined senior students from across the whole of the West of Scotland for a very moving one-day visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camps in Poland. Run by the London-based Holocaust Educational trust and funded by the Scottish Government, the aim of the project is to give pupils a greater understanding of what happened in the death camps and to learn where prejudice, racism and anti-Semitism can lead.

The group visited barracks, and saw museum exhibits that gave a stark reminder of the cruelty inflicted in these dens of inhumanity. Both Josh and Andrew found the experience powerfully moving. The boys will lead the school in our own Holocaust Memorial Tribute in January 2014 as part of the national week of Holocaust Remembrance.

The recent Wishaw Grand Prix Karate open event. In addition, Kayley’s consistent performances in the 3 other meetings in the 4 game tournament, meant she was crowned the overall Grand Prix Winner. Kayley was presented with a lovely silver trophy in recognition of this fine achievement. The school looks forward to learning of Kayley’s future successes in this most demanding of martial arts.

Kayley Pollock proudly displays the bronze medal and the overall winner’s trophy she collected at the Wishaw Karate Grand Prix events this autumn.

The first year inter house football competition turned out to be a close-fought affair. Sneddon got the tournament off to a flier with a 5-3 win over Curran. Houldsworth also proved too strong for Curran, recording a 3-0 win in their first game. In the decided, Houldsworth continued their good form and ran out 4-2 winners to secure the 3 points available for the championship race. Sneddon picked up 2 points, with Curran adding 1 point to their tally.

After 2 events, the overall scores could hardly be closer. Sneddon lead with 5 points, Houldsworth are a point behind, with Curran a further point behind on 3.

To celebrate National Poetry Day 2013, Clyde Valley High held a poetry competition for S1 pupils. This year National Poetry Day was sponsored by Scottish Water. Unsurprisingly, the theme for the competition was ‘Water’.

During library period, each S1 English class discussed poetry techniques, the theme of water and listened to a recording of poet, Diana Hendry, reciting, “What is the Pond Doing?” Pupils were then set the task of writing their own Water poem.

The standard of work was exceptionally high and the two most descriptive and imaginative poems from each S1 English class were chosen, to be judged by Mrs Lesley-Anne Cimmino, Acting Principal Teacher of English.  Mrs Cimmino chose Iona Orr’s poem as the very deserving, winner. For her book prize, Iona requested a copy of the latest edition of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’.

Very deserving runners-up were: Elizabeth Hendrie 1C2, Shannon Sirrell 1C1, Lewis O’Neill 1C1, David Kennedy 1S1, Jade Purcell 1S1, Amy Stewart 1H1 and Porsha Fitzpatrick 1H1

Iona Orr, winner of the S1 ‘Water’ poetry competition with her prize, ‘Harry Potter’ novel.

Yet again, the Science club run by Miss Pathmanathan is going from strength to stregth with more exciting and interesting experiments.

Check out some of the pictures in the gallery below which show club members taking on the challenge of designing and launching their own rockets!

As always, this year’s Halloween Disco was a resounding success as pupils and teachers entered into the spirit of the occasion by turning up in an impressive array of ghoulish costumes! Congratulations to our S6 pupils who decorated the House Block and Dining Room, transforming the area into a spooky arena in which everyone danced the night away. After pupils survived the shock of the haunted cave entrance, they thoroughly enjoyed seeing the colourful and imaginative costumes on show. Liam Murray (Serial Killer), Katy Ramage (Washing Machine) and Heather Stewart (Hobo) picked up the prizes for the evening’s most imaginative costumes.

e-Mag reporter, Kym Crawford, gives her review of the night:

On the 24th of October, Clyde Valley High School had its annual Halloween Disco, which included special apperances by Miley Cyrus, Minnie Mouse (indeed more than one), a homeless person and a mummy. People won prizes and had a great time. The first years being it thier first party at Clyde Valley had a specialy wicked time. The three prices went to a hobo a washing machine and a box of grave (no not crave, grave the creal killer). It was a fritfully good night that everyone will rebember, a big thank you to tyhe sixth years who orainised and decorated the scary night.

Check out our gallery below with pictures from the night, along with Katy, Heather and Liam and with their prize winning attire!

School was unusually quiet last week as most S4 pupils undertook a week-long work experience placement. Under the guidance of Miss Anushi Pathmanathan, Acting Principal Teacher of Work and Enterprise, pupils were able to select a placement from those available to the school or arrange one for themselves. The school would like to thank all parents and friends of the school involved in organizing the placements and, in particular, to all those businesses and organisations who accepted an S4 student on placement.

Margaret Donald and Lyndsey Craig from St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie were very welcome return visitors recently. The Hospice Schools Liaison Team members were delighted to receive a cheque for £3456, the total raised by staff and pupils who took part in the Hospice 6K run at Strathclyde Park. The total raised this year smashed the school’s previous record raised by more than £1000.

Some of the 90-strong staff and pupil team gathered at the front of the school to present Lyndsey and Margaret with the cheque. Before the cheque presentation, Margaret Donald made presentation on behalf of the Hospice. PE Teacher, Clare Hughes received a Certificate for being the fastest female athlete in the race. And, Louise Arthur and Holly MacDonald of S4 received recognition as St Andrew’s Hospice Champions for raising the highest individual amounts.

Clyde Valley 6K runners proudly watch Margaret Donald (centre), St Andrew’s Hospice Schools Manager, receive Clyde Valley’s cheque from Hospice Champions, Louise Arthur (centre right) and Holly MacDonald (centre left), with Lyndsey Craig (front left).

Last week, five S3 pupils enjoyed a week-long citizenship programme delivered by fire fighters from the Scottish Fire Service.  Amanda Crichton, Eryn Tervit, Sylvia Lyttle, Shona Mooney, Lauren Hill and Aimee Hughes visited both Coatbridge and Cumbernauld Fire Stations to take part in a range of team-building and individual challenges.

The girls learned about the basic organization of all stations and how the fire fighters prepare each day for the emergency call-outs they will be likely to face. As well as learning basic first aid techniques, the girls also learned how to use hoses and other key items of equipment. All thoroughly enjoyed the experience and record their thanks to all of the fire fighters who looked after them so well during the week.

Linda Broadhurst, Vice Chairperson, welcomed a large turnout of staff and parents to last week’s October meeting of the Parent Group. Linda extended a very special welcome to five members of the school’s Pupil Council.

As part of the school’s involvement in the National Anti-Bullying Campaign, the group delivered an interesting presentation on how the school tackles bullying and anti-social behavior. S1 pupils, Cara Sinnett and Iona Orr were joined by fourth year girls Claire Megahy, Brook Morley and Emma Shillady to speak about their experiences in school so far. All of the group spoke about how the school promoted positive relationships and encourage all pupils to work in a culture of ‘respect’. They were able to highlight the high levels of staff supervision and the range of opportunities available to pupils during break times.

The girls also spoke of examples of bullying behaviour they had experienced, either directly or through their friends and explained how victims were supported and those behaving inappropriately were tackled. Parent members of the group fired many questions at the girls and were greatly impressed by their confidence and sincerity.

The Pupil Council members with some member of the Parent Group at last week’s focus on anti-bullying week.

Back row (from left to right): Claire Megahy, Cara Sinnett, Morgan Shillady, Brook Morley and Iona Orr. Front row: Marina Megahy, Pamela Ferry and Esther Craig.

Congratulations to the Clyde Valley Maths team who recently performed so well in the North Lanarkshire Maths Challenge, held at the John Wilson Town Hall in Airdrie. The third year team was the youngest of all the competitors, and finished in a highly creditable 6^th place overall in the contest that involved all of North Lanarkshire’s 24 secondary schools. Elke Maclean, Liam Dunnachie, Louise Irving and Ewan Macdonald worked superbly as a team, tackling the various logistical tasks set during a demanding day’s work. The Clyde Valley team maintained the school’s proud record of delivering strong performances in this annual challenge.

On the last day of term, staff and pupils of the Modern Languages Department hosted a special staff coffee morning to celebrate the European day of Languages. Pupils from S1 and S4 hosted and provided a fine cake and coffee treat for staff as well as demonstrating their language skills by addressing the gathered throng in a variety of European languages that included French, German, Russian, Gaelic and Italian!

A thoroughly enjoyable morning raised an impressive £256 which the pupils will be donating to MacMillan Cancer Care after the October holiday week.

S4 pupils and S1 get ready to serve staff an appetising fayre and speak in various European languages, during the school’s European Day of Languages Coffee Morning.

Joanne Rae of S4 has continued Clyde Valley’s fine tradition of developing international footballers by being selected for the forthcoming Scottish Girls Under-16 international fixture away to Luxembourg. Joanne, am member of the Celtic Under 15 side, is looking to build on her success at District Level by securing her first international cap.

Joanne has recovered well from last season’s injury problems and her displays ass an attacking midfielder of forward have clearly attracted the attention of the international selectors. Joanne will fly out to Luxembourg with the Scotland squad on the 14 October and return three days later.

Everyone connected to the school wishes her every success with her debut as part of the Under-16 squad.

Joanne Rae, Clyde Valley’s latest international footballer

 Ross Kerr of 3H1 has followed up his recent success in Tae Kwon Do Tag Team Competition by securing another two silver medals, this time at the recent, Scottish wide individual event held at the Ravenscraig Sports Complex. Competing in the Under-16 category, Ross has achievement this impressive hat-trick of silver medals in less than three weeks.

Ross Kerr proudly wearing his Tae Kwon Do individual silver medals.

Pupils in our Wonderful World Club have held an indoor picnic as part of the worldwide One Planet Picnic. This initiative aims to promote sustainability, by teaching pupils about foods that are not only healthy but the planet. The group ate an impressive feast of seasonal fruits and vegetables, including blackberries, apricots, celery and pumpkin biscuits before also enjoying the delight of Fair Trade chocolate.

The One Planet Picnic was part of the school’s Eco School programme and proved to be one of their most popular events to date.

Clyde Valley’s indoor picnickers with some of their seasonal feast (from left to right): Stephanie Park, Alison Dobbie, Amy Park, Louise Irving, Shona Scott, Samantha Adam, Jade Young and Ket Prabkhonchua.

Clyde Valley’s Skill Force Uganda adventure has started. After a 10 hour flight and an overland journey that took several hours, Instructor Paul Craig and fifth year pupils, Ryan Burrell, George Wilson and Jamie Semple have arrived safely in the village of Jinja on the banks of the River Nile.

The Clyde Valley group is part of a 7 student team, all Skill Force Prince’s Award Winners, who will spend the next 12 days painting rooms in the village primary school and helping to install a new oven. The boys have been sponsored by the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, a trust established to honour one of the best friends of both Princes William and Harry and who tragically lost his life in a road accident at an early age.

The Clyde Valley team prepares to leave Glasgow Airport at the start of their Ugandan adventure (from left to right): Paul Craig, George Wilson, Ryan Burrell and Jamie Semple.

Congratulations to the 90 Clyde Valley staff and pupils who took part in the recent St Andrew’s Hospice schools’ 6K event around Strathclyde Park. Miss Clare Hughes, of the PE Department, was the star performer coming in first in the female race. However, the real winners were all of the Valley team who took part with spirit and real determination. More importantly, all of our entrants secured different amounts of sponsorship and, at the time of going to print over £750 had already been collected.

Miss Claire Douglas, of the English Department and the event’s coordinator, will organise an early presentation to St Andrew’s of the Clyde valley donation.

Check out the gallery of pictures from the day!

A party of 34 S4 pupils and 4 staff from the Humanities Department enjoyed a 3 day educational visit to London last weekend. Linked to their National Qualifications courses of study in Geography, History and Modern Studies the party visited a number of the capital’s world-renowned sites, including the Houses of Parliament, the Imperial War Museum and Buckingham Palace. They also enjoyed a trip on the London Eye and other cultural experiences, including a visit to the Harry Potter Set at the Warner Brothers Studio and taking in a West End Show.

Miss Nikki Heeps, who organised the trip, was fulsome in her praise of the youngsters for their keen interest and impeccable behaviour throughout the busy weekend.

The Clyde Valley party outside the Harry Potter set and, uniquely dressed in a range of ‘onesies’ outside Buckingham Palace!

Congratulations to Ross Kerr (3H1) and Megan Smillie (4S1), both of whom have enjoyed recent success in Tae Kwon Do competition.

Ross collected a silver medal for team-sparring at the Scottish Open Tae Kwon Do Championships held at Ravenscraig Sports Facility.

Megan captured bronze at the tri-nation tournament held in Belfast. Megan overcame the hindrance of a debilitating ligament strain to play her part in the Junior Girls tournament.

Both Ross and Megan will return to competitive action later in the term.

Ross Kerr with his silver team-sparring bronze medal and Megan Smillie with her tri-nations bronze trophy.

The school’s Italian twins from the Sismondi and Pacinotti Instituto in Pescia, Tuscany have returned to Italy after yet another highly successful exchange visit to Scotland.

Teachers Cristina Brancoli and Gianca Pellegrineschi and 10 senior pupils spent a week visiting the school and touring central Scotland. In school, the Italians took part in cooking traditional Scottish dishes, learned country dances and attended classes with their Clyde Valley partners.

The Italians enjoyed a day trip to Edinburgh in glorious sunshine, visited Glasgow City Centre and toured the Trossachs by coach, taking time to enjoy a boat trip on Loch Katrine.

All of the schools involved took part in a language immersion day at Summerlee Museum. As always, one of the week’s highlights was the ceilidh held at Dalziel High School when all the dance practice paid off!

Strong friendships were forged during the busy week and all of the participants are now eagerly looking forward to the return trip to Tuscany in February 2014.

Our gallery of photos shows the Italian Teachers, Cristina Brancoli and Giancarlo Pellegrineschi with all of the senior pupils who took part in last week’s exchange programme. Take a look at all the fun that they got up to!