PUPILS at all secondary schools from across East Renfrewshire have been honoured for their achievements at an awards ceremony.

The Convener’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement was held on March 29 at Clarkston Hall, where 90 youngsters from secondary schools and Isobel Mair School were recognised.

Nominations for pupils or groups were submitted by school staff within a wide range of categories including Sports, Creativity and Personal Achievement, Advocacy, Extra-curricular, Activities and Community Service.

One of the pupils recognised for their outstanding achievement was Woodfarm High School pupil Sophie Pope.

Sophie received an award in the Creativity and Personal Achievement category.

The Woodfarm High pupil is a talented young chef and gained national recognition by finishing fourth in the Young Chef of the Year competition, after going up against more than 13,000 other youngsters.

Sophie has also been asked to return as a judge for the next Young Chef of the Year competition.

Barrhead High Pupil Lauren Kee was also given an award.

Lauren received an award within the Sports category.

The youngster is a nine-time Taekwondo national champion and has already represented Scotland at two European Championships.

On top of this, Lauren also runs classes at her Taekwondo club for children aged five to nine, where she trains them, instils discipline and imparts her wisdom.

Barrhead News: Barrhead High Pupils with Provost Mary Montague, Councillor Andrew Anderson, Chief Executive Lorraine McMillan (front row, left to right), Grant Maybury (Principal Teacher at Barrhead High who hosted the event) and Director of Education Mark Ratter (second row, left to right)Barrhead High Pupils with Provost Mary Montague, Councillor Andrew Anderson, Chief Executive Lorraine McMillan (front row, left to right), Grant Maybury (Principal Teacher at Barrhead High who hosted the event) and Director of Education Mark Ratter (second row, left to right) (Image: East Renfrewshire Council)

Councillor Andrew Anderson, convener of education, equalities, culture and leisure, presented all the winners with a certificate and commemorative award.

He said: “The Convener’s Awards is certainly a highlight in the calendar and I was delighted to attend this event in person this year, following the disruption of recent years due to the pandemic.

“It was extremely humbling to hear all of the outstanding achievements from this group of young people who have been so committed to working hard and excelling this year.

“All of the winners should be incredibly proud of themselves, they are a credit to not only themselves but their families and their schools.”

Mark Ratter, East Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Education, said: “Well done to all of our incredible young people who have been recognised with a Convener’s Award for their exceptional achievements.

“We continue to strive to offer all of our pupils with a vast array of opportunities to achieve and I am delighted we have been able to recognise the hard work of this group of pupils who are now well equipped to excel in the next stages of their lives beyond school.”