Sponsored by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, it is aimed at eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation and preventing hate crime by improving understanding
The topic last night was “Hate Crime, its causes and how we can tackle it” and resulted in Hyndland Secondary securing a well deserved win against strong competition from Springburn Academy, Drumchapel High and Shawlands Academy.
The competition involved 12 Glasgow schools over eight weeks and featured over 25 pupils. It is part of our reach out to communities of Glasgow to engage them in discussion and debate on important issues such as Diversity and Hate Crime.
Presenting the trophy to the winners the Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson QC, said: “By engaging with communities, and in particular involving the youth of today, we can ensure that future generations understand they have a right to live without fear of humiliation, harassment or abuse, based on who they are.
“This competition has been a great success with the standard of the entrants being exceptionally high. To see young people speaking on such important issues with passion, knowledge and maturity, has been inspiring for all of us tonight. Hyndland Secondary may have been the winners on the night but all of the pupils and teachers and can be proud of their school’s achievements.
“Overall I think this has been a great advert for the young people of Glasgow and would wholeheartedly support it becoming an annual event in the school calendars in future. “
Speaking of their victory, English teacher and team coach, Mandy McGuire, said: “I would like to congratulate our team on their win.
“The pupils have really gained a lot from participating in this competition. Not only have they honed their public speaking skills they have really engaged in topics and issues that they perhaps hadn’t thought about before.
“Louis and Hamish are a credit to their parents, their school and the young people of Glasgow.”
