Local MSP Christina McKelvie praises ‘leading’ anti-bullying school

Parliament was full of praise this week as St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton was heralded for its leading anti-bullying approach.

At Scottish Parliament Portfolio Questions, local MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie questioned the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding the Burnbank school.

The question comes after both Ms McKelvie and Mr Swinney visited the school to witness the launch and handover of St John Ogilvie’s anti-bullying strategy to the new S2 junior leadership team.

 

Commenting during the question, Christina McKelvie MSP said:

“Last week, the cabinet secretary visited St John Ogilvie high school, in my constituency, to see the pupil-led work that has led to the establishment and implementation of its new school anti-bullying policy.

“Does the cabinet secretary agree that pupil-led peer education is to be encouraged and that Headteacher leadership can make the difference in ensuring a whole-school approach to ending prejudice-based bullying in schools?”

In his reply, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney MSP noted:

“I took a great deal of heart from witnessing young people leading the process of formulating the school’s anti-bullying policy.

A very engaged and sometimes very forthright conversation involving a lot of pupils was going on, and it was well shepherded and steered by senior pupils in the school.

“That is a very good example of pupil engagement and the expression of the pupil voice, which lies at the heart of curriculum for excellence”.

Special praise was also reserved for outgoing head-teacher of St John Ogilvie High, Mr Morrison, who retires at the end of the school year.

During the exchange Christina and Mr Swinney both reiterated their gratitude for all the work achieved by Mr Morrison.

Ending an incredible association with St John Ogilvie, Christina and Mr Swinney both thanked him for his dynamic and thoughtful leadership of the school, wishing him a happy and healthy retirement.