The latest news from Wishaw’s Clyde Valley High School.

Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club

Two Clyde Valley pupils played key parts in the Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club’s annual support.

Eilidh Murray, Rachel Moon and Miss Claire Douglas, who accompanied the girls, were all made to feel very welcome by club members as they contributed to the evening’s programme of entertainment.

Eilidh recited ‘Address to the Toothache’ delightfully capturing the bard’s sardonic wit to perfection. Rachel captivated the appreciative audience with beautiful renditions of two Burns classic songs, ‘Ye Banks And Braes’ and ‘Charlie is ma Darling’,

Former member of Clyde Valley staff, Miss Elizabeth Clarke, was presented with Honorary Life Membership of the Allanton Jolly Beggars Club during the evening.

Mrs Clarke was thanked for her long-standing support over many years, annually recruiting pupils from the school to perform at the annual event.

Schools Question and Answers

A number of third year pupils recently investigated issues that they feel are important, as part of their involvement in the Schools Questions and Answers initiative.

The competition challenged all those taking part to become informed and active citizens, while allowing them to develop their political literacy skills.

Clyde Valley’s budding political journalists looked at the issue of discrimination of young people.

Lauren Airlie, Nicole Cockburn, Robert Crawford, Rachel Elrich, Victoria Freeland, Alexia Hall, Megan MacDonald and Chloe McCall all worked tirelessly, through lunchtimes and after school, in order to script, direct, record and edit a short film entitled, ‘Don’t Judge Us Because We Are Young’.

While the octet will not progress to the live broadcast stage of the challenge, as a result of their ‘consistently high quality entry’, they have been invited to take part in Schools Questions and Answers webcasts, which will take place later this year.

Science Club

Under the watchful eyes of Miss Anushi Pathmanathan and Mr David Meikle, the weekly Science Club is going from strength to strength.

Each Monday, the budding boffins gather to undertake fun experiments all designed to extend their practical skills and deepen their scientific knowledge. Last week’s experiment was entitled ‘Screaming Jelly Babies’, following hot on the heels of the ‘Expanding Nylon Rope Trick’.

Focus West Activity

Some 30 of Clyde Valley’s third year pupils have been enjoying a taste of life at university or college.

The pupils recently had one-day visits to both Motherwell College and the University of the West of Scotland’s Hamilton Campus.

After a brief tour of some of some of the main centres, pupils took part in workshop activities all designed, even at this relatively early stage of their academic career, to give them an insight into further and higher education.

The pupils all voted the visits a great success and returned determined to gain the qualifications that might give them entry to college or university study. The visits were part of the Focus West initiative.

S2 Parents’ Evening

The S2 Parents’ Consultation Evening will take place on Tuesday, February 7, between 4.30pm and 7pm.

Parents should now have received an individual letter of invitation, along with an appointment sheet. S2 reports will be issued in advance of the meeting.

Italy Trip

A group of senior pupils are eagerly looking forward to the return visit to Pescia in Tuscany later this month. The Italian teachers and pupils visited Scotland in September and the return trip will allow pupils to renew the friendships forged earlier in the session.

The five North Lanarkshire schools taking part will all spend time in their respective sister schools. The group will also be able to visit Pisa, Florence and enjoy the world-famous carnival at Viareggio.

Change of Telephone Number

The school’s new telephone is now operational. The school telephone number has changed 01698 274950.

Anyone calling the old number will hear a voice message redirecting them to this new one.

Diary Dates

Parents are asked to note school will be closed in February on Thursday 9, Friday 10, Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 for a combination of the holiday weekend and staff in-service days.