Caring pupils across Argyll and Bute have been hosting a range of activities to show their support for the people of Ukraine.
Here are just a few examples of some of the great work our schools communities are doing:
Young people from Park Primary, Port Ellen, Dalintober, St Columba’s, Ulva, Lochdonhead, Rhunahaorine and Glenbarr have collected a huge number of donations of clothing and other essential items to send to refugees camps at the Ukrainian border.
In addition, pupils from Dalintober and Castlehill primaries drew pictures of love hearts that will put into the pockets of clothing that the Hub Youth Club in Campbeltown is sending to Ukraine.
Senior pupils at Castlehill will also be painting sunflowers (Ukraine’s national flower) for display in the school, and are following a suggestion from Campbeltown Grammar to invite the school’s Parent Council to provide funds to buy seeds, compost and pots for children/families to grow sunflowers. This is something that young people at Drumlemble Primary also plan to take part in, along with a dress in blue/yellow day and sponsored silence. The idea behind this is to highlight the fact that the children in Ukraine do not have a voice, and to enable pupils to reflect on the current situation. They will also colour in mindfulness sunflowers.
At Carradale Primary, pupils will draw pictures and write messages to the children of Ukraine and will take part in a sponsored walk around the bay.
More than 1,000 pupils in the Cowal cluster are also planning to take part in a simultaneous sponsored walk in their own separate school groups, whilst wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag, to raise funds for the British Red Cross. As well as taking part in the Cowal walk, St Mun’s Primary School is fundraising for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, as is St Joseph’s Primary in Helensburgh.
Meanwhile, at Parklands Primary young people have come up with an innovative way to raise funds for the people of Ukraine by making and selling beautiful blue and yellow candles.
In Mid Argyll, young people at Lochgilphead Joint Campus have arranged an ‘Activities for Ukraine Day’. The programme for the day includes a basketball tournament; a hiking and cycling challenge; Pebble-painting Ukrainian egg-style and a mural; and recording a peace song to use as a promotional video to show the school’s involvement and encourage people to donate. The school canteen will also have a Ukrainian dish on the menu, with part of the price donated to the fundraiser.
Further north at Oban High, pupils have recorded a podcast discussing the conflict and will hold a school assembly that sets the scene for fundraising over the next few weeks for both emergency items and money donations. School clans have also been making sunflowers and the school pipe band will be performing in the town centre to raise further funds and donations.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “I really am quite overwhelmed at what our children and young people are doing to show their support for the people of Ukraine.
“From collecting donations to holding sponsored events, the solidarity, compassion and kindness expressed by our school communities is tremendous. It’s not often that I am speechless but this is one of those occasions, and I am extremely proud.”