Jo's prize visit for Thomas Muir pupils

10.31.36am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Oct 2005

Jo enjoyed presenting awards to pupils of Thomas Muir High

Jo Swinson MP has joined with teachers, parents and pupils of Thomas Muir High School to celebrate their achievements.

Awards were presented by Jo at the school's annual awards ceremony, held in Springfield Cambridge Church in Bishopbriggs on Wednesday. Prizes were given for academic and sporting achievement, effort, attendance and citizenship.

Jo commented,

"Thomas Muir High is a school with a strong community spirit. This is reflected by these awards, which celebrate pupils' work not only as students but as citizens. I think it is healthy for young people to be involved in their communities through responsible, active citizenship. I applaud the values that Thomas Muir seeks to instil in its students."

"The awards ceremony had a special significance, as the last for retiring Headteacher Mrs King. Her many years of dedication to the school have created a positive, encouraging ethos which pupils, staff and the community benefit from."

The school's Alan Sillars Award for English went to Jennifer Monkhouse, while the Cadder Freestone Awards for Excellence went to John Revie for mathematics and Rosemary Loughran for music. The Contribution to the Life of the School and the Community Award went jointly to Michelle Campbell and Ashley Stewart, and Gavin Danks was awarded the prize for Outstanding Performance and Citizenship.

Mrs King, Headteacher of Thomas Muir High, commented,

"Jo Swinson, having put in place very special arrangements to be with us at our annual celebration of achievement, proved to be the star of the night. By giving all of us an insight into her own school career, her subsequent pursuit of her dreams and her life at Westminster she inspired our young people to "hold to their dreams", to be determined and passionate about what they want to do, and so go on to achieve their goals. Jo's presence and her lively, energetic presentation is still "the" topic of conversation among pupils, parents and staff!"