Laxdale School Win Gold Sportscotland School Award 2019-2022

Laxdale School have been awarded the Gold Sportscotland School Sport Award 2019 -2022.  They are the only school in Lewis and Harris to have achieved this standard.  Graham Lindsey and Gary Reid from Sportscotland travelled to Lewis for the official presentation. 

Graham highlighted the quality of the Laxdale school submission to be of an excellent standard and said: “The efforts and level of work evidenced had blown the judging panel away.”  He also praised the efforts of the staff, Mrs Lorraine Morrison for leading the project and the school pupils for their ‘have a go’ attitude. 

Eric Macleod from Active Schools liaised closely with the school to raise sporting standards and opportunities in a variety of sports throughout the year. He said: “This is a fantastic reward for the hard work that has been put into achieving the Gold Award. The journey has been so positive for the school with pupils, school staff and the local community working together to offer an increased and sustainable range of activities for pupils to get involved in. Maintaining the award into the future will support the physical and mental wellbeing of the pupils.”

Lorraine Morrison, teacher, who led the project on behalf of the school, said: “The Laxdale School Sporting Aim is to encourage as many pupils as possible to get involved and try whatever sporting opportunities (new and old) which arise and to enjoy themselves.

“Kerry Macphee spoke at the initial launch to inspire youngsters and parents into action.  Born and raised in the islands and competing now as a professional cyclist, Kerry served as the perfect role model in how sporting achievements are possible with hard work and determination.   She made a special guest appearance and congratulated the staff and pupils on their award accomplishment.

“The presentation also included the handover from S1 pupils of last year’s School Sports Council and the current P7 Sports Council.  I presented a summary presentation of the 8 criteria the school had been assessed on and how standards had been raised in accordance with Sportscotland requirements.  The school staff are to be praised for how they got on board with the efforts as well as the pupils and wider community for making it such a fun enjoyable experience.”