Inspirational school helped Chelsea to turn her life around

WHEN news broke that Menzieshill High School was to close there were — quite rightly — all manner of protests and campaigns.

How could a Dundee institution, serving 600 pupils which had been open since 1971, suddenly cease?

Of all the cases stated for its continuation, none is more powerful than that of former pupil Chelsea Cameron.

You might remember her open letter in the Tele, addressed to her drug addict parents, about their behaviour and the impact it had on her life.

Re-reading her words was harrowing.

She told how people would bang on the door looking for her parents at all hours and how her father turned to a life of crime after her mother left.

Yet it was uplifting — she said she owed them a huge debt for demonstrating that life is about choices and how drugs can devastate lives.

In the year that has followed, Chelsea has appeared on TV (pictured), she has travelled abroad to work with underprivileged children and has met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

That this girl with neither a mother or father guiding her, giving her a moral compass or cheerleading her through life, has accomplished so much is astounding.

And most of the credit must go to her for her resilience, inner fire and bravery. But she also credits her former school — Menzieshill High — for giving her “everything” she needed.

It may not have been a straightforward path, admitting she was nearly thrown out of the school — but she turned it round and became head girl.

We assume head girls and boys are the type of kids with support, dedication and love waiting for them at home — elements which help a child flourish at school.

And yet here’s Chelsea, a role model of her own making.

My own experience at Menzieshill, researching its creche for a TV project, left me in no doubt about the difference made within its walls. Initially I was cynical about the scheme whereby pupils who had a baby could leave the infant to attend class.

Surely it was only encouragement. A free babysitter. Why not have a second child before sixth year?

But the service allowed young mums to gain qualifications instead of dropping out and signing up for a life of benefits and more kids.

It was inspirational to see the staff at work.

I hope those who taught and guided Chelsea know how well she’s done — and how she credits them with her turnaround.

Along with Chelsea, they should hold their heads up with pride.