Happy ending?

Creative writing

Strathaven Academy pupil Katrin O’Hara will hear next week if she has won a UK Book at Bedtime competition. Entrants had to write a bedtime story about bed manufacturer Silentnight’s Hippo and Duck characters. Katrin was the only Scottish finalist from 1,300 UK entries. Children could vote for their favourite online.

Talking the talk

Debate

Fourth-year pupil Ricky Owens of Clyde Valley High beat off challenges from Scotland’s best young debaters to win this year’s ESU Schools Public Speaking competition. His success was the perfect retirement gift for his mentor Elizabeth Clark, who has been a modern languages teacher for almost 40 years.