Pupils join forces to stamp out sectarianism
Breaking down religious barriers
Children at two Cambuslang primary schools were on song last week to end the scourge of sectarianism.
For the past few weeks, primary seven pupils at Cairns and St Cadoc’s have taken part in a joint initiative that has broken down barriers and helped create genuine friendships.
They recorded their song, Stamp It Out, last Thursday, focussing on online bullying and other issues relating to bigotry.
The schools have been working closely together on the project.
As well as both Old Firm clubs going along with their club mascots, they sent coaches who helped develop the youngsters’ football skills, but the emphasis was on working together regardless of what football club they might support.
Nil by Mouth have been involved with David Scott giving a presentation.
Teachers Angela Bott at St Cadoc’s, and Gayle Guthrie at Cairns arranged the six- week project. The children have studied the book, Divided City, by Theresa Breslin.
The pupils are now hoping to put on a presentation for their parents showing what they had learned, with this taking place at at Cairns Primary next Friday, May 15.
Mrs Guthrie said: “You really want to get the parents in, that’s where a lot of the problems start.
“Kids follow their parents’ beliefs so it’s as much about changing their mindset as it is the kids’ mindset.”
She added: “It has been a really great project.
“The children have really responded well.
“We had trips to Ibrox and Parkhead and you could see the respect was there, no matter what team they supported.
“We had quite a mix but they’re all friends at the end of the day.
“I was watching some of them who I thought might have played up, maybe saying they weren’t touching something because it was from the other side, but there was none of that.”