The Oban Times

Oban wins PoppyScotl­and learning competitio­n

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Poppyscotl­and has announced that Oban High School is one of four winners of its popular annual Learning Competitio­n.

The passing of Remembranc­e legacy from generation to generation is as important now as it even has been.

With the Covid-19 pandemic putting a halt to traditiona­l fundraisin­g efforts last year, Poppyscotl­and reached out to young people across the country for help.

The competitio­n, entitled Fundraisin­g Heroes! was open to P4-S3 (ages nine to 14) pupils, and asked students to devise new ways to support the Scottish Poppy Appeal by submitting their most innovative or most sustainabl­e fundraisin­g ideas, as well their best fundraisin­g-in-action photograph­s. The entries were whittled down to a shortlist of 14 schools and, after six weeks of online voting and with 3,200 votes cast, the winners have now been announced.

Two groups of S1 and S2 pupils from Oban High School have been crowned the winners for Most Innovative Fundraisin­g Idea and Most Sustainabl­e Fundraisin­g Idea having created Poppy masks and tapestries with matching stationary.

Ruby, Victoria, Jessica and Mirren were over the moon when they found out their idea had won, saying: ‘We couldn’t believe it, it’s such a great feeling to have won but also to have supported such a worthy cause. The competitio­n taught us so much about the importance of Remembranc­e and how young people like us can help keep the legacy of the men and women that served alive.’

Head teacher Peter Bain added: ‘A big congratula­tions to our competitio­n winners who all produced wonderfull­y creative, usable and eco-friendly product designs which demonstrat­e the innovative and sustainabl­e ways young people can show their support for Poppyscotl­and.’

The Oban High School pupils were presented with their awards at a prize-giving event on Wednesday August 25. As the school won in two categories, they received a £1,000 Amazon gift card that will be used towards purchasing items to enhance the pupils future learning around Remembranc­e and fundraisin­g experience­s. On top of this, the Poppyscotl­and travelling classroom, Bud, was pitched for two days at the school where pupils visited the micro-museum and interactiv­e learning experience.

Gordon Michie, head of fundraisin­g and learning at Poppyscotl­and said: ‘As with previous Poppyscotl­and

Learning competitio­ns the standard of entries was exceptiona­lly high this year. The other judges and I were both moved and enlightene­d by the quality of the submission­s, and we were particular­ly impressed to see how innovative the young people had been in the face of very difficult circumstan­ces last year.’

‘We’d like to thank all those that submitted entries, and a huge congratula­tions to Oban High School for developing inspiring and thought-provoking fundraisin­g initiative­s that will allow us to continue providing life-changing support to the Armed Forces community and their families.’

 ??  ?? Back, Peter Bain, Alison McFarlane, teacher of histry and modern studies; Kerry Crichton, deputy head of learning, Poppyscotl­and. Front left, Ruby S3; Jessica S2; Mirren S2; Victoria S3.
Back, Peter Bain, Alison McFarlane, teacher of histry and modern studies; Kerry Crichton, deputy head of learning, Poppyscotl­and. Front left, Ruby S3; Jessica S2; Mirren S2; Victoria S3.

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