Top performing pupils are the pride of Barrhead

They are in recognition of young people’s efforts in a range of fields, which are over and above the commitment to their studies.

Recipients of the Convener’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement were nominated by their schools.

All received an award and a certificate from the convener and vice convener of education and equalities, Councillors Elaine Green and Paul O’Kane.

Councillor Green said: “The hard work, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of the young people in our schools never fails to inspire and impress.

“Pupils are not only excelling in their academic work, they are also achieving in a host of fields, from music and sport to volunteering and art. All of this is over and above the huge effort they put into their studies.

“It is an honour to be able to reward these outstanding young people who thoroughly deserve the recognition, and it has been an privilege to hear of their successes. All are a credit to their schools, their families and most importantly themselves.

“Congratulations to them all.” All seven secondary schools – Eastwood, St Ninian’s Barrhead, Woodfarm, Williamwood, St Luke’s and Mearns Castle – were represented, as was Isobel Mair School, which is for pupils with additional support needs.

The awards ceremony was held at Carmichael Hall at Eastwood Park.

The award-winning pupils were joined by parents, head teachers and invited guests, including director of education Mhairi Shaw.

Convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague, also presented some of the awards on the night, in the sports category.

Award categories were creativity, community service, independent living skills, volunteering, advocacy, sports and team awards.

The team awards were for a range of achievements, including creative writing, squash, gymnastics, fundraising and volunteering.

St Luke's winners Caitlin Kelly: Caitlin has been competing in dance for 13 years, over which she has won numerous competitions. She has travelled to competitions in Norway and Spain to compete with Europe’s best and holds many prestigious titles such as the World Champion, Elite Champion and Dance Icon. She is also the current North East Champion and has won the Scottish Championship for four years running. Caitlin’s exceptional talent has led her to securing a place on a prestigious scholarship which has enabled her to attend more dance lessons and classes, and has given her the opportunity to dance in front of the Ambassador for Dance in Scotland.

Joseph McAuley: Joseph is an outstanding musician, an exceptionally talented bagpipe player who has travelled the world to play the pipes at different festivals and with world-famous orchestras. He has played the pipes from a young age and is now one of the most in demand pipers in the country such as Ryder Cup winner Captain Colin Montgomery requesting the services of Joseph to play the pipes at his wedding and reception. Joe is regularly requested to play at different civic functions, for example in the Irish National Concert hall in Dublin for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and at the closing ceremony of the Derry City of Culture Year. Joseph has also represented Glasgow City Council at a twinning ceremony in Germany, in front of the Scottish First Minister Christopher McCloy: Christopher is a highly valued student of St Luke’s High School and shows great commitment to making a difference to the lives of others. From achieving the Pope Benedict XVI CARITAS award, giving his time to help others in the community by playing in the parish music group at weekly masses, to dedicating 500 hours of voluntary service, his enthusiasm for his local community shines through. Christopher is a talented musician and has gained many awards through his local youth brass band group. In addition to these achievements and his voluntary work in the Prince and Princess of Wales Charity Hospice Shop, Christopher runs a weekly peer support group to provide assistance to his peers in school. Christopher endeavours to make positive contributions to his local community.

Rebecca Campbell: Rebecca has achieved success in a number of subjects and has participated fully in the wider life of the school. As a member of the personal development class, Rebecca has been involved in organising events such as the school fun run on activities day. She has attended a number of courses to develop her independence and living skills. She has attended outreach programmes to complete a number of qualifications that recognise her independent living skills and has also attended East Renfrewshire Council’s vocational programme. Rebecca attends a development course at West College Scotland. She has contributed enthusiastically to group tasks and works conscientiously on her individual tasks.

Technical Group: Throughout their school careers, Andrew Pierotti and Lewis MacNeil have been involved in technical support, sound and lighting for a wide range of activities and events, in school and across the cluster. They have raised a significant amount of money for school charities and have provided great entertainment for many pupils and their families. In all of these activities Lewis and Andrew have given of their time and talent, and even supplied some of their own equipment to make these events successful. Their commitment has been outstanding; they have been a credit to St Luke’s and excellent role models for other pupils Lourdes Group: This group of fifth-year pupils made outstanding contributions to caring for others while on pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Paisley Diocese in summer 2014. While on pilgrimage they worked and cared for the sick pilgrims through: prayer, friendship, compassion and assisting with washing, dressing and eating. The St Luke’s school community has benefited greatly over the past year from the skills that these young people developed during their pilgrimage, and from their generous and positive attitudes which have inspired others — pupils and staff – to get involved in other volunteering and fundraising activities.

Barrhead High winners Jordan MacLeod: Jordan started his acting career with PACE Youth Theatre in 2012, with his first big part coming when he was chosen to play the main character in Choices for Life, an educational film on healthy lifestyle choices. Soon after Jordan appeared in films raising awareness of disability hate crimes, knife crimes and road safety. His hard work paid off when he was awarded a rising star award by PACE Theatre Company and an award from West College Scotland in recognition of his excellent acting and theatre skills. He has since worked with the Scottish BAFTA winner Dougie Napier and hopes to pursue a career in acting.

Fraser Lundie: Over the past three years, Fraser has become an important and valued member of the team at Pulse, a volunteer-run full-time community radio station (with charitable status) broadcasting from Barrhead to the various communities of East Renfrewshire and beyond. Despite suffering from hemiplegia (a condition which causes partial paralysis to one side of the body), he has developed the technical skills to allow him to host his own radio show. He is an articulate young man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of rock music, to the extent that some other volunteers have nicknamed him ‘The Professor’. Fraser’s report on his visit to Auschwitz is particularly noteworthy for the impact it had on listeners. Fraser is an excellent role model for young people and regularly gives up his interval time to help supervise a club for young people who are vulnerable and find being in the playground too difficult. Fraser has become an integral part of the department and a person the pupils will go to for help and advice.

Keirran Adams: To say Keirran works hard would be an understatement. During this, his sixth year at school, he has given very generously of his time to assist others in a wide variety of contexts. In school he has become an invaluable asset to both the health and wellbeing faculty where he has regularly supported younger pupils in their performance as well as being the go-to man for tasks as wide ranging as washing football strips and bicycle maintenance. In addition to this, Keirran volunteers outside of school, regularly coaching aspiring young goalkeepers at both Arthurlie and Barrhead Boys club.

Stuart Faulds: Stuart started playing football at aged seven for Barrhead Boys Club. At age 14 he was invited to play for Harmony Row where he had an outstanding two years. He was named Player of the Year before he was asked to sign for Ayr United pro youth development team. He has been with Ayr United for two years and his dedication is outstanding, training three times every week plus playing on a Sunday. In addition to playing for Ayr, Stuart was selected to play for Paisley and District Schools Under 18s select team. Stuart has also achieved his coaching badge and enjoys coaching younger pupils in the school football team. He will soon be helping with the authority’s active schools summer programme. Stuart is a hard-working and conscientious student who is passionate about his football. The school is proud of his achievements.

Ailish Douglas: Ailish started synchronised swimming when she was only nine years old and has developed into an excellent young athlete. She currently trains with Clydebank Synchronised Swim Club and West District and is the current swimmer of the year for West District. Ailish competes in three championships each year and has earned several first-place medals for her trio and team routines. In March this year she achieved the second-highest score across all the Scottish district teams in her category, missing first by only 0.02 points. Ailish’s efforts led to her begin nominated as a Commonwealth Games Baton Bearer in 2014, having raised over £700 for Alzheimer Scotland with an earlier sponsored swim and her personal achievements in the sport.

Iona Ross: Iona has been playing basketball since primary three, and was soon training with Paisley Pistons where she developed into an excellent young player. She later moved to St Mirren where she was part of the squad who won both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League. Iona’s abilities have led to her being selected to play for Scotland at both under 13 and under 15 level which is an outstanding achievement in such a popular sport. Iona has recently been coaching Paisley Pistons team members every Monday and Friday as well as coaching disability basketball on a Wednesday at the Lagoon in Paisley. She is a terrific young athlete who is a credit to her sport.