An Aberdeen school has secured a top award for its successful initiative to get youngsters running a mile a day.
Stoneywood School celebrated a double win at the annual Children and Young People’s Services Awards, organised by Aberdeen City Council.
The school received the Promoting Inclusion award in recognition of its efforts to promote sign language, and the Health and Wellbeing Award for its mile a day scheme.
In March the pupils began completing a mile a day to raise funds for the ARCHIE in Africa campaign to support youngsters in Uganda.
And even after fundraising stopped the children said they wanted to continue with their daily run.
Head teacher Gael Ross was only too happy to allow it after teachers reported increased concentration, engagement and motivation in classes thanks to the exercise.
Mrs Ross said: “It’s heartening to see the positive ripple effect through the school and watch pupils’ attainment rise inside and outside the classroom.
“And we are due to receive our Silver School Sport ward from Sport Scotland too, which is the icing on the cake.”
To celebrate their new award, the school’s around 200 pupils, parents and staff took on the mile a day challenge at the same time this week.
Kelly Murray, the chairwoman of the school’s parent council said: “My little girl is only primary two, and they had a school trip the other day which meant she had to miss her daily mile.
“But when they had their lunch break she went off on her own to get her lap done by herself, because it’s so entrenched now in their daily life at the school – they really enjoy doing it.
“All their little faces were all beaming, it was an amazing sight to see all the kids doing the run at once today, even if some of us parents found it hard to keep up with all these kids that are a lot fitter than us.
“We’re all very proud of all the kids for keeping this going for so long, it’s such a great idea.”
