ST THOMAS’ Primary held a Rights Respecting Schools’ Day of Action to celebrate diversity.

Youngsters at the Neilston school donned blue, the colour of the RRSDA symbol, as they learned about the United Nations’ 17 ‘global goals’ for sustainable development.

The day started with the pupil council explaining the significance of the ‘global goals’ to a whole school assembly.

Children were encouraged to innovate, create and campaign in order for the goals to be realised.

The council also explained to their fellow pupils how important it was for everyone to take part, no matter their age, in order for these goals to be achieved.

Each class developed a better understanding of the goals as the day went on with activities including Indian dance workshops and world cooking classes punctuating the event.

Pupils, parents and members of the community all contributed towards a wishing tree on which they left notes containing their plan to make the world a better place.

A guest speaker from Missio Scotland detailed the role of missionaries to the kids, particularly the work currently being done to support the rights of children in Africa and Asia.

Drama students from St Luke’s High also stopped by the school to help P6 pupils create two plays based on reduced inequalities and peace and justice.

Youngsters demonstrated their creativity to think up two pieces, one depicting the struggles of a refugee family and the other examining the effects of bulling on families.

Both plays will be performed in November alongside pupils from Neilston Primary.

St Thomas’ Primary's head teacher Brendan Docherty hailed the event as a resounding success and said: “It was a busy day with the comings and goings of parents, grandparents, members of the community and pupils as they attended the assembly and all the various workshops.

“But the day was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and the message of diversity and understanding of ‘global goals’ continues to be talked about in school and beyond.”