Clyde supremo gives school radio a boost

Mar 26 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A LOCAL media mogul visited the team behind Calderside Academy’s popular radio station – Radio Calderside – this month.

Radio Clyde boss Paul Cooney was invited to the school to share his experiences in radio and discuss potentially creating a link between the school and the station.

Radio Calderside was initially set up to allow students with an interest in the media to develop their enterprising skills before entering the world of work. The station also allows for two-way communication between pupils and the team running the station.

Blantyre-born Paul said that he was pleased to see that Calderside Academy is incorporating enterprise into its curriculum.

He said: “Scotland has a long history of producing entrepreneurs.

“By encouraging the students to develop their enterprising skills the school is helping to raise their awareness of the employability skills they need to develop.”

He added: “Radio is a great medium and, although working at a radio station is hard work, it presents so many great opportunities.”

Alistair Davy, a sixth-year pupil at the school, was happy to meet the radio boss and said: “Previously I thought Radio Calderside would just be a small thing we would work away at but to have someone like Paul come in and give us advice and encouragement is a big boost.

“A relationship with Clyde would make a difference to how we run the station. Currently we treat it as a bit of fun. We come in and play a bit of music and say a few words but now I will try and encourage a more professional take on it.”

Blair Reid, Deputy Head Teacher, Calderside Academy, said: “Paul is in the ideal position to pass on a wealth of knowledge not only about radio presenting but also giving the pupils an insight into the changing face of broadcasting.”