Katie Hunter and Erin Seils |

Feelings of excitement and anticipation werebuilding among all pupils of St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High school this morning as they awaited the arrival of our First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Her visit was to mark the introduction of the First Minister’s reading challenge in Scottish high schools. Our school was delighted to have been selected as one of six high schools for the pilot of this beneficial initiative.

Prior to Ms Sturgeon’s arrival, five groups were established based on their personal achievements within the context of literacy – Newspaper reporters, those involved in Public Speaking, active readers, writers and pupils who have made vast improvements in terms of literacy.

Scotland’s First Minister, dressed from top to toe in red, arrived at the school’s library late morning and was very interested in discovering which books each of the pupils were currently reading. She spoke to all groups individually, sharing her own thoughts on some of the novels. It was incredible to see the work of these magnificent authors bringing people together with a common interest.

When Ms Sturgeon reached our table she had a short discussion with each of us about the books we were currently engrossed in. She mentioned that she had enjoyed the Harry Potter books when they were first released after talking to one of our reporters, Katie Cook, who had been enthralled by the second book in the series.

The press ensured many photographs were taken to mark the prestigious event within our school and this certainly helped to add a buzz amongst both teachers and pupils alike!

It is truly amazing that our First Minister has made such a positive impact in the future of the children of Scotland through her encouraging manner towards pupils and introducing the initiative, Ms Sturgeon said;

“I am incredibly proud of the success the First Minister’s Reading Challenge has had in nurturing a love of reading for pleasure among Scotland’s young people, which is why this expansion to secondary schools is so exciting.

I am determined to ensure we continue to promote reading as one of life’s greatest pleasures – and that young people reap the benefits of the resulting educational attainment that can be achieved.”

Meeting Ms Sturgeon was certainly a fantastic way to kick off the school year and very insightful, allowing pupils and staff of St Andrew’s and St Brides to discover more about the intentions of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge which has already been a resounding success in primary schools in the last year. We hope our high school embraces the challenge and shows just as much enthusiasm as the younger students have.

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