Schools join Diversity Day celebrations

More than 125 youngsters from Giffnock, Robslee, Braidbar and Thornliebank primaries visitied an exhibition of faiths and cultures and taking part in a diversity-themed art competition, as well as joining in with sports.

Parents and guardians were invited along too, and councillors and deputy lord lieutenant for Renfrewshire Archibald Hunter attended in the afternoon for a participation award ceremony.

The event had this year moved from a weekend to a weekday, and leader of the ER Diversity Day planning group, Usman Ali, explained: “It made sense to change to a school day and use local schools to participate.

“We had great support from youth leaders, adult volunteers and parents, as well as from the ERC education department, head teachers and the pupils themselves.”

Councillor Elaine Green, ERC convener for education and equalities, presented the four schools with their awards. She added: “It was wonderful to see the school children so enthusiastic and enjoying themselves on a day away from their classrooms.

“The visit to the exhibition was very educational giving them the opportunity to learn about different faiths and cultures.”

Diversity Day was rounded off by a special guest - Guy, a member of a South American Indian tribe from Chile — who demonstrated a peace dance then encouraged the children to take to the floor too.