Alva Academy Pupils Strike Gold
Published on:
28
March 2013
Pupils from Alva Academy scooped the Gold medal in the national finals for their "No Knives Better Lives" video.
Over 250 entries from all over Scotland were whittled down to just 10 and two Gold prizes were awarded, one of them to Alva Academy. The pupils won a video camera and a laptop each as well as the coveted trophy, and commemorative certificates.
The Alva Academy winning team comprised Iona Baxter, Jennie Bain, Aidan Briggs and Freya Baxter. Jacob Bonello was also part of the team, but has since emigrated to Australia.
Five videos had made it through to the final from each of the two regions across Scotland. Alva Academy were qualifiers from the North, East and Central region.
The pupils enjoyed a star-studded finals night in the Glasgow Science Centre, hosted by Sanjeev Kohli, best remembered as Navid from the hit BBC TV comedy Still Game. Everyone was treated to a gourmet buffet before taking their seats to watch the 10 films in the final on the giant IMAX cinema screen.
The presentation of prizes was made by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill MSP.
Head Teacher, Sharee Mackerron said: "It is a phenomenal achievement of which we are very proud. This is a monumental success given how many schools entered.
"We took along every parent of the pupils involved as well as some of the teachers and pupils who had helped to make our video such a success. The group would like to thank every pupil and teacher who participated or helped in the making of it, including Alloa Sherriff Court, Clackmannanshire police officers, Julie Baxter, who provided her home, the Scottish Youth Parliament and everyone who took the time to watch and vote for the video."
Congratulating Alva Academy on their achievement, Clackmannanshire Council's Education Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: "The programme has positive benefits far beyond those who directly participate. Ultimately, the aim is to spread the message to as many young people as possible not just across Clackmannanshire but across Scotland, educating them about the consequences in order to prevent young people from ever picking up a knife.
"I am thrilled that pupils from our county, in winning this national award, will play a major part in achieving just that aim."
A commemorative DVD of the awards night, which will feature footage and interviews from the event and all ten films, is currently being compiled and will be sent out shortly to the school by the Scottish Youth Parliament.