Pupils win £3,000 for music school

Four Arran High School pupils have secured a £3,000 donation for the Arran Music School with a winning presentation on why they believe the music tutoring and performing charity deserves the cash windfall.

The prize was the result of their success at the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) which saw eight teams putting forward presentations in a bid to teach children about compassion, social issues and supporting local charities.

At the final event, attended by charity representatives and fellow pupils, the eight groups competed for their presentation to be selected by a panel of judges which included Alastair Dobson, managing director of Arran Dairies; Susan Foster, Arran High School head teacher; Julie Cannon, education business officer; and pupil representative from last year’s winning group Niamh Gosman.

Among the local charities being supported, all of which were visited by pupils to learn about their activities, were Arran Music School, Hospital Supporters League, AHS Mountain Bike Club, Fèis Arainn, ArCaS, Arran Mountain Rescue Team and Arran RNLI.

The groups put forward their arguments as to why they believe their nominated charity should be selected by trying to make their performances as memorable, impactful and informative as possible.

After a record-breaking 33 minutes of deliberation, the judges returned and Isabel Johnstone, YPI Ayrshire regional facilitator, announced that the winning team of Alfie Gilmore, Chloe Willis, Ruby Winship and Hamish Kendall, representing Arran Music School, were the winners.

Event organiser and YPI lead teacher Mara Gosman thanked all of the participants, judges and Isabel Johnstone, who presented the winning team with the cheque, for taking part and for all of the assistance from teachers Emma Brown, Stephen Wallace and Matt Reid.

This year’s YPI event was a particularly special one as it was the 10th YPI event to be held on Arran.

Pupils also assisted the charitable initiative by holding a raffle and bake sale which helped to raise £500 towards the total donated.

01_B21AHSYPI05_23_Isabel_Johnstone_cheque Isabel Johnstone, YPI Ayrshire regional facilitator, announced the winner to thunderous applause.

01_B21AHSYPI01_23_Ruby_Chloe_presentation Ruby and Chloe put forward their reasons why Arran Music School should receive the donation.

01_B21AHSYPI02_23_Alfie_Hamish_presentation Hamish and Alfie express their support and motivations for why Arran Music School should receive the £3,000 cheque.

01_B21AHSYPI03_23_judges_before_deliberations Joining Isabel Johnstone of YPI, second from left, were judges Julie Cannon, Susan Foster, Niamh Gosman and Alastair Dobson.

01_B21AHSYPI07_23_pupils_Isabel_cheque Isabel Johnstone, YPI Ayrshire regional facilitator, and the winning team representing Arran Music School.

01_B21AHSYPI04_23_audience_pupils_presentation Charity representatives attended the presentation to watch the children put forward their cases.

01_B21AHSYPI06_23_Gosman_Brown_Wallace Teachers Stephen Wallace, Emma Brown and Mara Gosman join winners Hamish Kendall, Alfie Gilmore, Ruby Winship and Chloe Willis.