Pupils raise charity cash during St Andrew’s Day celebrations

Dec 7 2010 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

CHILDREN at a Paisley school celebrated St Andrew’s Day by taking part in two big events – and raised charity cash at the same time.

More than 1,000 students, plus 100 staff, at St Andrew’s Academy attended a special Mass at St Mirin’s Cathedral, in Paisley.

The transfer from the school, done with military precision, involved 14 buses.

Pupils had prepared music and a special liturgy for the Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop Philip Tartaglia and several Paisley priests.

Later, some of the youngsters enjoyed a Scottish-themed afternoon, which featured face-painting and tartan outfits.

Proceeds from that fun event went to the school’s Uganda project.

This venture involves 24 pupils and five staff travelling to St Andrew’s Academy’s partner school in Kigumba, Uganda, to help build a dormitory and administration block.

St Andrew’s Academy headteacher Tony Quinn said: “The fact that it was a holiday for the school was not going to upset our plans to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew who, as our school patron saint, is a very special inspiration to our pupils and staff.

“The Bishop kindly re-arranged his diary and we were able to have our annual celebration, which is one of the highlights of the year for our school community.

“That we also raised money for our big Uganda project is an added bonus. The parents got involved in the celebrations by organising a family ceilidh in St Mirin’s Cathedral hall.”