AS part of the school’s Literacy Week, pupils from S2 at Selkirk High School spent the week exploring a range of issues relevant to contemporary times and their local community.

The Wee Issues project saw them researching a variety of different topics including anti-social behaviour, care in the community and equality between the genders in sport. They also investigated the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and paid a visit to the local flood prevention works where they met representatives from SEPA and the Council.

Views were also sought on whether upgrading the A7 or the arrival of the railway were seen as the way forward for Selkirk residents.

One group spent time with the Salvation Army in Hawick learning about the increasing numbers of local people who are forced to rely on foodbanks to feed themselves and their families. They heard that the reasons for this are varied but range from unemployment through to social isolation and problems with benefits.

They were able to see the parcels ready to be distributed and what each one contained, with essential items like tinned foods, pasta and toilet rolls being included. Perishable items like bread are included at the last moment.

Amy Reid (S2) said: “I didn’t realise there were people who needed this kind of help so close to home. It was really interesting to see how the food bank works and meet the people who work there.” Anti-social behaviour was the topic chosen by another group who were keen to find out if enough was being done to address the problem. They interviewed Dave Scott from the 'Nil by Mouth’ organisation and conducted surveys of local residents to find out more about people’s concerns. They also looked at the role that individuals, the community and local/national government have in tackling the issue. All the groups reported on their findings at a special assembly at the end of the week in the main hall at the High School. The presentation to over 80 pupils, staff and visitors demanded thorough preparation, organisation and confidence.

Pupils were very creative in the way those chose to deliver their findings and made use of a range of methods from talks through to film and drama. It was evident from each presentation that the groups had researched their chosen topics in depth and learned a great deal from their experience.

Councillor Sandy Aitchison, Executive Member for Education at Scottish Borders Council, said: “Projects like this are an excellent way for pupils to gain a deeper awareness and understanding of the issues being experienced out in their local community.

“They will also have been able to develop their research and analytical skills while developing their confidence at public speaking by presenting their findings to a large group. The variety of topics that they chose to study has been wide-ranging and I commend them all for the enthusiasm and commitment they have shown to the project.” The project was undertaken in partnership with SBC’s Creative Learning Team and Selkirk CARS.