Pupils take charge – and think of others too
Express Reporter
Two schools have staged special pupilled events in celebration of the Year of Young People.
Students at Renfrew High School staged a 24-hour takeover of the school that saw them taking on the roles of the senior leadership team and other staff, as well as running the school’s Twitter account.
The day was supported by Renfrewshire Youth Services’ community learning officer John Kennedy, project leader Debbie Bowie and headteacher Billy Burke, who got on board to pave the way for a group of young people to plan the whole day.
They came up with Non-Uniform Day, which raised £500 from donations to help pupil Kieran Sanderson’s mum Leighanne get to to Germany for life-saving pioneering cancer treatment.
Pupils took over the senior management team roles, including the headteacher’s post and the four depute head positions along with music, ICT, PE and the library.
The team was given jobs such as lunchtime canteen duties, leading pupil workshops and holding a senior leadership meeting.
They recorded the events of the day themselves with photographers Kate Tollan, Louise Irwin and Stephen Speirs - who are all S2 pupils.
Lara Montgomery, who took over the music teacher’s role, said: “I found the pupil takeover day extremely useful as I want to be a teacher when I’m older.”
Depute head takeover Lyndsay Howat said: “It was extremely eye-opening and challenging to see the daily tasks teachers take on every day.”
Pupils at Renfrew’s Trinity High School also held a health and mental wellbeing showcase with a series of workshops, films and interactive activities for pupils, formed as part of Scotland’s celebration of the Year of Young People, the world’s first-ever showcase of youth achievements.
Youth Services’ community learning officer Melissa Muir worked with pupils to develop the showcase, which was called Change UR Mind.
The event was organised by three pupils who are part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) youth panel as part of the Year of Young People.
The pupils have been working tirelessly since February attending various fortnightly workshops put on by the Mental Health Foundation in order to gain the skills and knowledge needed to put on an event.
The event, which raised another £ 700 for Leighanne Sanderson, aims to raise awareness of not only mental health issues but also how nest to maintain a positive mental wellbeing.
Year of Young People Champion Michelle Campbell also dropped in to support the pupils and said: “It was wonderful to see young people taking charge of their own event and talk about how being involved with the Year of Young People has helped increase their confidence as well as gain an insight into issues they face surrounding mental health, and the importance of positive mental wellbeing.”
Third year pupil Sharon Padippurackal said : “From being involved in the Year of Young People we have gained new confidence in ourselves and have made lots of friends.
“We now have a deeper understanding of mental health issues affecting young people and understand how to support people through difficult times.”
Elah McCorkindale added: “We are excited to put on such a positive event and raise awareness of mental health.
“We believe The Year of Young People gives young people like ourselves the opportunity to learn new skills. It’s also great that we are getting the chance to shine a light on the positive work and projects we are involved in. “