Inverness Roman Catholic School first in the Aberdeen diocese to receive top award from Missio Scotland

Pupils at an Inverness school have celebrated being the first in the area to receive a special award for their efforts to help the world’s poorest children.

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School was presented with a five-star Missio Award from Missio Scotland which part of a global network serving the Church in more than 120 countries.

It is the first primary school in the Aberdeen diocese to receive the award which was presented at special assembly attended by Bishop Hugh Gilbert and Gerard Gough, of Missio Scotland.

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Missionary Children - a branch of Missio - is the official children's charity for overseas mission as appointed by the Pope.

Headteacher Mrs Angela Selkirk said St Joseph’s has supported Missio since the school opened in 1943.

“Missio’s core principle is to feed, nurture and educate children in the poorest parts of the world,” she said.

“The motto is ‘Children Helping Children’.”

The school, which has 165 pupils plus 21 nursery children, decided to get involved in the five star award which involved five different elements.

Last year for example, pupils raised more than £1070 from fundraisers such as a bake sale and have raised a further £457 so far this year.

“We are absolutely delighted to be the first school in the diocese to get the award,” she said.

“For us, it’s about working together as a community from the nursery to P7s.

“It’s very much about the children understanding they are helping other children.”

During the assembly, three P7 pupils Teja Skleinikaite (12), Maja Paprocka (11) and Angel Ferguson (12) gave a presentation about how the school had completed different tasks.

They comprised raising funds for Missio Scotland, staging a missionary saints play, entering a Christmas arts competition, praying the rosary during May or mission month and commissioning Missio Champions.

On behalf of the school, they accepted a special plaque recognising the achievement and a Missy Moo mascot.

Bishop Gilbert congratulated the school on the award.

“It is a tribute to the quality of this school and the great staff and pupils they have here,” he said, adding the school had a great connection with Missio.

“They have really surpassed themselves this past year.

“This is a special school and has a lovely atmosphere.

“It is setting an example to children in other parts of the world.”

Gerard Gough, of Missio Scotland, also praised the school’s efforts.

“It is kids going out of themselves to help other kids around the world,” he said.

He recently returned from a trip to Bolivia where he saw at first hand how money raised for Missio Scotland is making a difference.

“This year we are supporting children in Bolivia needing cough medicines,” he said.

“There is a lot of air and water pollution and the medicine is very expensive there.”

He said the Missio programme enabled children to see a totally different world existed and how they could help others.

“You can only do a wee bit but what you do is really important,” he said.

He said just £30 could help feed a child through one of its projects in Sri Lanka for one year.

“Even if you only raised £30 a year, it can make a massive difference,” he said.

“It is one of our mantras - pray a little, give a little. Try and give what you can, if you can.

“Small amounts can do big things.”

He also stressed that although the Missio projects were run by the Catholic church, the people benefitting were not only Catholic.

“The beneficiaries are of all religions and of none,” he said.

Chairperson of school’s parent council Andreana Calleja said: “It really is a wonderful accolade for the school.

“We really do work together and support each other.”

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