Scottish Catholic Observer

Staff and pupils from John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton were delighted to host children from the Good Child Foundation in Thailand, who had come to visit the former school of their teacher, Reamonn Gormley, who was killed at the age of 19 last February.

Mr Gormley had worked with the foundation during a gap year and—through his hard work and dedication—had won the hearts of everyone connected with the school in Thailand, which supports Downs syndrome children.

On arrival at John Ogilvie High School on Friday May 4, the children from Thailand, who are touring Scotland, were piped into the school in traditional Scottish fashion by S1 pupil, Harrison Reilly, before fellow S1 student, Eilidh Johnstone performed the Highland Sword Dance.

The John Ogilvie ‘glee’ club then performed pop-hit Titanium, much to the delight of their Thai visitors.

Legacy

Paul Lemon from the Good Child Foundation spoke to the Hamilton pupils about the work of the foundation and the legacy that has been left by their former colleague, Mr Gormley.

Mr Lemon urged pupils to be inspired by Reamonn’s example and to dedicate their lives for the good of others. The Good Child Foundation children then performed songs to a transfixed audience of staff and pupils.

Amongst the audience was Eddie Morrison, John Ogilvie headteacher, who paid tribute to the work of the foundation and to Reamonn, whose parents Jim and Anne were also in attendance at the school.

“He symbolises what it means to do the right thing and to give yourself for others,” Mr Morrison said to the pupils. “Aspire to follow in his footsteps every day of your lives.”

Fundraising

Mr Morrison also presented Mr Lemon with a cheque on behalf of the John Ogilvie community and then a quick 10-minute bucket collection raised a further £400—an indication of the appreciation shown by the school community to their young visitors.

Mr Morrison added that the day’s events were a ‘marvellous experience for both groups of children and an invaluable insight into the culture of Thailand, which will stay with the Ogilvie community forever.’

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