Gleniffer pupils play the generation game

Mar 10 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

YOUNG and old came together at a Paisley school – and tales were still being swapped long after the bell had gone!

Members of the Foxbar Elderly Forum recently returned to school for a visit and received a warm welcome from senior pupils at Gleniffer High.

Tea and fancy cakes, a musical accordion interlude and a tour of the school helped make it a memorable day for everyone.

Aileen Sangster, depute head responsible for senior pupils, said: “We want the people who live in the local community to know just how good this school is.

“It’s our mission to tell everyone about our wonderful facilities, first class teachers and, above all, outstanding pupils who are a credit to us.”

And Mrs Sangster insisted the visit by the elderly members of the forum had been one of the best ever organised by the school.

She said: “I am very proud of the way our young people engaged with our visitors.

“They were courteous and polite and very keen to hear all the stories they had to tell about life at school when they were young.”

Cathy Graham, a member of Foxbar Elderly Forum, said: “My great granddaughter Lucy is in first year at the school, and is the third generation of my family who have attended Gleniffer High.

“The kids have so many opportunities these days – certainly a lot more than we had when I was young.

“In my day, the school leaving age was 14. You left school on the Friday and were in a job by the Monday. Times have certainly changed, and I feel so sorry for a lot of the kids who can’t get jobs these days.”

Ginny Thomson, treasurer of the forum, said: “It was an excellent visit, and so enjoyable.

“I was really impressed by how spacious the school was and the work being done in music and the art departments really stood out for me.

“The young people who showed us around the building were just brilliant. Nice, nice, boys and girls. It truly was a great day out.”

Mrs Sangster concluded: “We want to forge relationships with the local community and believe this is a great way of doing it.

“There were a lot of smiles and laughter that afternoon and we very much look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”

The Foxbar Elderly Forum meets up every Monday in the Foxbar Community Centre in Amochrie Road for tea, bingo and a raffle.

From April, members are able to enjoy day trips, which are arranged once a month.

New members from across Renfrewshire can join by going along to the community centre between 1pm and 3pm any Monday afternoon.