Alves pupils win citizen recognition

A PRIMARY school has been recognised for encouraging its pupils to become responsible members of the world.

Alves Primary won the Global Citizenship Award at the Moray Young Citizen Awards, supported by Moray Council, Diageo, Police Scotland and Elgin Rotary Club, presented by the local authority's head of schools and curriculum development, Vivienne Cross.

She said: "Groups and individuals were nominated by their schools and community leaders. The number of nominations has grown and I was thrilled to see more community nominations, which really shows we’re united in identifying and showcasing young people’s efforts. The judging panel had some very difficult decisions to make but they finally agreed on the finalists who deserved recognition for their citizenship activities."

Global citizenship is the idea that all people have rights and civic responsibilities that come with being a member of the world, with whole-world philosophy and sensibilities, rather than as a citizen of a particular nation or place.

Alves Primary head teacher Mr James McLeman confirmed the entire school community is "over the moon" about winning the Global Citizenship Award.

He said: "We have won the Primary School Award in the past but this one seems a little more special because it recognises both what the pupils are doing locally but also how this is impacting further afield.

"The Moray Young Citizen Awards mean more to us than national award schemes like Rights Respecting Schools and Eco School Flags because the pupils are celebrated in person at a formal awards ceremony and the winners receive more than just a certificate."

Over the last year, Alves pupils completed a number of initiatives with citizenship in mind. These included: raising £3411.73 for Diabetes Scotland which led to a new medical conditions policy and the school being awarded the Diabetes UK Good Diabetes Care in School Award; ensuring everyone in Alves is aware of childrens' rights and how they are impacted by local, national and international issues; organising a Chinese New Year event inviting the community in to participate in activities such as making dragons,and Chinese lanterns; planning a beetle drive for the elderly as part of the school's efforts to combat loneliness; tidying up the local memorial garden as part of the 100 year anniversary celebration of the end of WW1.

Mr McLeman added: "Our school business groups also came together to plan and organise a Daffodil Tea, bringing together the whole local community and raising awareness of how the school has supported the local community through global goals such as: no poverty; good health and wellbeing; quality education; freedom of thought, beliefs and religion; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; sustainable communities; improving our local environment for environmental sustainability."