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'It's near impossible for school clubs to continue as normal'

Young Voices is a platform for younger people to describe their lives and the changes around them.

Among the most notable absentees since the return to class mid-pandemic are the school clubs, writes Catriona Ferguson.

These have always been extremely numerous; from robotics and STEM, orchestra and music groups, to sports such as football and badminton. 

With the Government guidelines currently in place, it has been near to impossible for these to continue as normal.

This has resulted in staff and pupils having to come up with new, innovative solutions to keep people learning, curious and involved.

One example has been the S6 poetry group, which started out as a small project during lockdown.

Established as an online chat and video session to keep our interest and curiosity engaged, this group has evolved into socially-distant, weekly meetings when we discuss our favourite poems and a range of topics including identity, feminism, racism, and the future. 

The group has opened up other avenues too – online competitions, short story writing, listening to interviews with favourite writers – as well as expanding our knowledge outside the curriculum for those interested in insightful discussions … or sometimes heated debates! 

The enthusiasm from my fellow Advanced Higher pupils has encouraged the English department to start more restriction-friendly opportunities such as the junior poetry competition, involvement in national poetry day and the S1 short story club led by S6 pupils. 

Excitingly, alternative extracurricular solutions such as our poetry club have cropped up all over the school.

Among the most notable absentees since the return to school mid-pandemic are the extracurricular clubs.

These have always been extremely numerous; from robotics and STEM, orchestra and music groups, to sports such as football and badminton

Catriona Ferguson

Mr Downie’s Higher biology podcast has attracted national recognition and twice recently featured Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government; Modern Languages continues to provide a range of activities such as their recent junior ‘Day of the Dead’ home makeup competition; the Dance department has made a tremendous effort in organising some rehearsals, with outdoor, socially-distanced practices; the Maths department has managed to keep the Sumdog competition for junior school ongoing online.

Additionally, an S1 day trip has been arranged at Auchengillan – a small welcome to our new first years. 

The staff at Hyndland Secondary have been vital in maintaining smiling eyes and involvement in activities which build important skills for life after school and help us maintain a semblance of normality.

Hyndland Secondary School
Hyndland Secondary School

So thank you to all the staff of Hyndland Secondary for all your efforts in keeping things as normal as possible in a global crisis!

  • Catriona Ferguson is an S6 student at Hyndland Secondary School studying Advanced Higher English. We are featuring the words of young people as they describe their lives and the changes around them. We welcome submissions from local schools. Email glasgowwe@todaynews.co.uk
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