Scottish Catholic Observer

The poster contest, run by Poppyscotland, aimed to encourage young people to think about the importance of remembering past conflicts. A victory in the competition for 11-year-old Chloe resulted in her P7 class spending two days with Clydebank-based artist Greer Pester, who helped them make three model elephants (above), an art project chosen because the elephant, as the saying goes, ‘never forgets.’

Primary 7 teacher Gillian Wilkie said the workshop had been ‘a fantastic opportunity for the children.’

“They have thoroughly enjoyed the activities and developed many new skills,” she said. “Input from specialists has enabled the children to experience using different media as well as recyclable materials to create stimulating pieces of work to commemorate the First World War.”

At the end of the workshop the models were unveiled to pupils, staff and local councillor Terry Loughran, education and communities convenor from Inverclyde Council.

St John’s pupil Chloe won Poppyscotland’s education poster competition earlier this year after beating thousands of other children from schools across the country. Her poster featured an image of her dad, Colour Sergeant Alan Duncan, who serves with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Chloe’s design is being enlarged to become an A2 poster and will be included in Poppyscotland’s education pack that will be sent to every school in September.

St John’s headteacher Mark Coyle said it was ‘a wonderful achievement’ for both Chloe and the school to be associated with such a prestigious and worthwhile cause.

“Through participating in the national competition a community spirit has been further enhanced here in St John’s Primary and Inverclyde as a whole,” he said. “We are delighted that the community voted for Chloe and hopefully raised the profile of Poppyscotland.”

The charity’s education officer Emma Baxter said they strive to find new ways to encourage young people to learn about Remembrance and Poppyscotland’s work.

“We hope that Chloe’s poster, which will be sent to all schools in Scotland, will inspire and encourage others,” she said. “The workshop offered an opportunity for the whole class to get involved and we are delighted that they enjoyed it.”

Councillor Loughran said it was great to see Chloe win the prize, adding that the pupils all had fun at the art workshop and had some ‘spectacular models to showcase their memorable experience to the entire school and wider community.’

The poster competition formed part of Poppyscotland’s education project, Sowing the Poppy Seed. More than 1400 entries were received from primary and secondary schools that were invited to create a poster to mark the 100-year anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. A panel of judges then chose nine finalists before online voting opened and the winner was selected.

– Read the full version of this story in June 13 edition of the SCO.