ONE of Scotland's top girl bands gave these pupils a lesson in pop power.

Pupils from Shawlands Academy had a class with a difference when new pop quartet Vanquish sang at the school ahead of their last date supporting Irish super-group Westlife at the SECC.

And it was a special gig for group member Bee MacMillan, 23, because it was a chance to reunite with the school music teacher she says inspired her to pursue a singing career.

Bee, originally from Pollok, said: "When it came to the music and singing, I was less confident, but I got an A in Music and that was the start of it."

Maria Kelly, 43, was Bee's music teacher when she attended St Paul's High School in Pollok and is now in charge of music, drama and art at Shawlands Academy.

Maria came forward after seeing Bee's search for Miss McGhee, as she was then known, in the Evening Times.

This performance was the first time the pair have seen each other for eight years.

Maria said: "It's amazing. Sometimes the ones with less confidence are the ones that go out and do it.

"Bee was very quiet, but she was always great with me. Her thing was always music and singing and I think if you can pursue whatever suits you best, it's just fantastic."

Vanquish, who are Bee, 23, Lizzy Williams, 24, Holly Davis, 23 and Rianna Morris, 22, were all delighted to perform for the South Side youngsters. Their set included current single, The Harder You Love.

Bee, – short for Bernadette – said: "It's always amazing coming back to Glasgow and performing in schools is amazing. It's always funny seeing the kids' response and reactions.

"The crowds have been amazing in the SECC too. They have been dancing and singing. I think they are always a bit more lively when they know someone's there from their hometown."

"Our first show I was absolutely terrified. I still couldn't believe we were going to support Westlife and it wasn't until we got to the O2 arena and met the guys and then we thought 'this is real'.

"Then after three, four, five shows we just got more excited rather than having nerves."

Lizzy, from London, said: "It's quite surreal and it's gone so quickly. I can't believe we're coming up for our last show. Every night's been amazing.

"You just live every day and try to enjoy all of it. You don't ever get tired of it.

"We do get a bit nervous, but now that only lasts for about five seconds and then we're just dancing and getting hyped up.

The band, who cite the Spice Girls as their biggest influence, said performing alongside the Irish boyband was one of the most inspiring parts of their career to date.

Lizzy said: "They are so great, they're such lovely guys. They have got their families with them every day and their kids as well.

"It was nice as we would sit with them when we were having dinner and they would say that 14 years ago they were in our position supporting Boyzone, looking up to them thinking 'one day, we can we have our own arena tour'.

"It just gives you that hope that they did it, they were in the exactly same place as us, so you know, we've got a chance."

"Now we're just doing our Vanquish-thing and we hope that everyone will like it."

The girls' current single The Harder You Love is available now to download on iTunes. Their debut album will be released later this year.

fiona.mckay@ heraldandtimes.co.uk