TEAM spirit was stronger than ever at a Greenock secondary school as first year pupils enjoyed creative challenges designed to help them make new friends.

The action packed team building day at Inverclyde Academy was designed to encourage the children to make new friends and work with pupils who are not in their usual classes.

During the day, the pupils were set a range of creative challenges designed to forge new relationships in a range of non-curricular settings.

The young people made new friends as they rose to the challenge of completing the activities.

S1 pupil Charley Boag said: "It was a really good day.

"I enjoyed getting to know new pupils and making new friends."

Fiona Walker, of the school's pupil support department, organised the day with help from teachers in the science, art, PE and social subjects departments.

Gillian Hughes, the Active Schools co-ordinator for Inverclyde Academy, were involved in the day too and her team set up a grand challenge in the assembly hall while staff were ably assisted by volunteer sixth-year pupils who acted as guides and group leaders.

Teacher Mrs Walker congratulated the pupils for making the day such a success and said it was the perfect way to start the new term.

She said: "The pupils have settled into life at Inverclyde Academy very well.

"I'm delighted to see the enthusiasm with which they worked together, which sets them up well for the session ahead."