Girl’s pleas to save “amazing” school
Community rallies around Pitlochry High School
A concerned schoolgirl has written an open letter pleading for her school to stay open.
Fione Cruikshank (14) has penned the letter asking Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee not to close Pitlochry High School.
Pitlochry High School is under review by the council, with one of the options on the table being permanently closing the school down and moving pupils to Breadalbane Academy.
In her letter, she said: “Perth and Kinross Council are trying to close my amazing secondary school, that has given me so many opportunities to contribute to my local community and explore the wildlife of Scotland.
“I would love my little sister and other younger local children to have as much fun and opportunity as I’ve had learning at Pitlochry High School.
“The council has just started to run drop in sessions to consult the local community about the school’s future.
“I’m worries they won’t listen to us, so I want to tell the world what a great school we have so that they won’t close it.
“The opportunities that the school has given me have potentially changed my life.”
In her letter, Fione lists a number of projects she has been involved in at the school, including winning a grant from the David Eckersley scholarship, which encourages young people to start a career in the rural industry.
She was also given a grant from the Struan Bursary, again aimed at getting young people involved in agriculture.
Through this award, Fione was able Pitlochry High School to buy her first two Highland calves.
This comes after the school’s parent council held a consultation event at Pitlochry Town Hall on Saturday, November 3.
At the meeting, members of the community were asked to give their thoughts on the five different options given for the school’s future.
As well as closing the school down, other options include introducing a fifth and sixth year to the school, moving fourth years only to Breadalbane and using the empty space in Pitlochry High School for other council services, and extending the school’s catchment.
Speaking at the meeting, Andy Charlton, chair of the parent council, said: “We see this as a threat, but also an opportunity. We have a once in a generation chance for a really important opportunity for the school.
“We could think 21st century and give Pitlochry the facilities that is long overdue and the town deserves because there has been a serious lack of investment over the past 40 years.
“The community is really behind us and it is apparent this review affects everyone in Pitlochry, not just parents.
“Closing the secondary school would have a devastating impact on the local economy.”
At the meeting, independent councillor Xander McDade suggested another option for the council to consider for the school.
He says the school’s catchment should be extended to include Kirkmichael Primary School, as well as adding a fifth and sixth year and locating community facilities such as a library and leisure centre to the school.
Currently children in Kirkmichael attend Blairgowrie High School.
Further meetings are being held today (Tuesday, November 6) from 3.30pm until 7.30pm, and on Monday, November 19 from 10am until 1pm and 3.30pm until 7.30pm at the school.