Our Lady and St Patrick's High celebrates another successful year

Jun 26 2009 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

PUPILS, staff and friends of a Dumbarton school gathered recently to celebrate another year of success.

Our Lady and St Patrick’s High seniors’ prizegiving ceremony heard of the achievements of the past 12 months.

Deputy head teacher Jim Friel, standing in for headmaster Charles Rooney who was on a working trip in Kenya, said the evening reflected not just the gaining of well-earned awards but wider school successes.

Guests, including Jackie Baillie MSP, heard how the school had once again received national recognition as winner of the Respect Me National Award and was shortlisted for the Scottish Excellence Ambition Award.

The school’s commitment to charity had again been outstanding with more than £12,000 raised for SCIAF, St Margaret’s Hospice, Dumbarton’s Women’s’ Aid, the Gorsilaure Project, the Wayside Club for the homeless in Glasgow and educational projects in Kenya.

Guest speaker was Mary Cullen, head of communications and education at SCIAF, who told how the school’s fundraising efforts are making a difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the world.

As the ceremony took place, headmaster Mr Rooney and colleagues Clare McKernon and Fiona McInnes were in Kenya working with schools and teacher training colleges as part of OLSP’s commitment to sharing good practice and supporting education in the developing world.

Mr Friel said: “Whilst the teachers are meeting their own costs, the projects that they are undertaking are being supported by fundraising efforts by our pupils.”

Among the highlights of the year, said Mr Friel, were a Burns afternoon and the visit of the Blood Transfusion Service, when more than 60 students and staff donated.

Extra-curricular activities continue to be a major strength and Mr Friel thanked staff who continue to give freely of their time in this area.

Pupils have also benefited from an extensive range of visits, field trips and excursions, including to Austria, Italy and France, while sporting accolades included the 18s football team victory in the Glasgow Cup.