Jim McGovern MP paid a visit to the Modern Studies Department in early January. After giving an overview of his past and the work of an MP in parliament and the constituency, Jim went ‘open to question’. The first issue raised by S5/6 pupils, which was no surprise, was with regard to Jim’s views on the forthcoming independence vote. After an extended discussion of the pros and cons of independence, pupils also asked about votes at 16 years, changes to benefit entitlement and unemployment and young people. Jim’s visit was a follow-up to the pupils’ visit to the Houses of Parliament in September. Jim is pictured with S6 pupils Alissa Dolan and Grant Hamilton.  

Pupils in S3 will visit the Scottish Parliament in March where they will meet constituency MSP Joe Fitzpatrick.

Emma Young from Menzieshill High School in Dundee was one of five national winners in this year's S1/2 Human Rights Newspaper Front Page competition. In her submission, Emma chose the issue of religious intolerance and violence in India. The judges described her winning
entry as "informative, well researched and well presented". Emma is pictured receiving her award from Menzieshill HS HT Ms Helen Gray. Emma also collected a cheque for £20 from sponsors Hodder Education.

The annual Modern Studies trip to the Houses of Parliament went ahead on 17 and 18 September. Following a similar structure to previous years, 21 senior pupils took the chance on the Monday evening to shop on Oxford Street before visiting the theatre (Billy Elliot). Up bright an early on the Tuesday, it was straight to the Parliament for the tour, before meeting and speaking with local MP Jim McGovern. After Parliament, the group took a 'flight' on the London Eye before heading to Downing Street and Trafalgar Square. All too quickly, it was back to the train station and

the return journey home - an intense two days.

The Modern Studies Department would again like to thank Jim McGovern for sponsoring our visit to the Parliament and for meeting and talking with the pupils. I would also like to compliment the pupils on their good behaviour - they were a credit to the school. Well done.

Congratulations to Molly Fowlie winner of the 2012 Harry McLevy Memorial Award. The S3 Modern Studies investigation competition, which is open to pupils from across the nine city schools, involves pupils researching, analysing and writing up an investigation on an issue related to their Standard Grade studies. The highly topical theme of Molly's investigation was whether or not Child Benefit should continue to be paid to higher rate taxpayers. In selecting Molly's entry as the citywide winner, the judges commented on Molly's range of research, insightful analysis and excellent presentation. As well as a certificate and a prize of £20 as the school winner, Molly also collected a second certificate and a further £50 as the citywide winner. The Harry McLevy Memorial Award is jointly organised by the Claverhouse Training Group and Dundee Modern Studies

Association and has the support of Dundee City Council.

Picture shows Molly with the HarryMcLevy Memorial Award and several of the other school-based winners.