Byrne winners: Pupils celebrate film success

A UNIQUE award in Scotland set up by renowned playwright and artist John Byrne has been been won by a group of Edinburgh pupils.

The 7,000 prize for the inaugural competition has been awarded to Currie High School , in the city, for their documentary film which explored alienation over the past 30 years.

The sixth year pupils had to base their study of "values" on a particular stimulus which this year was Jimmy Reid's address to Glasgow University on his inauguration in 1972.

Percy Farren, senior depute head at Currie described the team's work as "thought provoking" and drew the viewer into exploring whether their own values were selfish.

He said: "The amount of detail and primary research that had gone into the production of their film was phenomenal. The creativity shown the editing of the film, in particular that of the accompanying artwork, captivated those that had the pleasure to watch it. In discussion with the team they reported that they had learned a lot about themselves and their families. One member of the team felt that she had developed a closer bond with her father because of his upbringing that had been influenced by the values expounded by Jimmy Reid.

"The team are absolutely delighted to have won this competition but even more delighted to be able to support some of the local community projects that they are passionate about. I am immensely proud of these four young people and know that the values that we all hold so dear are safe in their hands."

The ethos of the competition was to encourage sixth year pupils at school to explore the change in values of society and whether "what's right" has been replaced by "what's right for me"?

Teams of up to six pupils could take part and had to create an entry in any form, from film to drama, maths, sculpture or a written text of up to 20 minutes in length then take part in a question and answer session with a panel of judges.

The panel included Mr Byrne, religious writer and broadcaster Richard Holloway, Scotsman journalist and theatre critic Joyce McMillan, headteacher Jack Hamilton, pilates teacher Jeanine Davies and student Scott Paterson.

Joyce McMillan said: "It's been an exciting and rewarding experience to be involved in a project that not only encourages young people to think about the values that matter in society, but offers them a really powerful stimulus for their work - this year, it was Jimmy Reid's great 1972 Rectorial Address at Glasgow University - and, above all, invites them to respond creatively, expressing themselves through any form that seems right, from essays and oratory to poetry, music and film.

"The results have been fascinating and powerful, and I hope that this terrific award, with the backing of John Byrne as its patron and presiding spirit, will be able to continue into the future, and eventually involve schools from all over Scotland."

1st Prize - Currie High School

Terri Steel, Beth Cairns, Hannah Smith & Calum McCulloch

2nd Prize - James Gillespie's High School

Nikhil Mair, Rory Halliday, George Galloway & Jordan Dunn

3rd Prize - James Gillespie's High

Jack Scott, David MacKay & Michael Thomson