Pupils take to YouTube to clean up their playground

Date: 
Thursday, 30 March, 2017
 
Pupils at Wester Cleddens Primary School are on a mission to ‘Stop the Dogs’ coming into their playground and they’ve used the latest technology to get their message across to parents/carers and members of the community who insist on bringing their pets into the school.
 
The children have directed, filmed and produced a YouTube video entitled ‘Stop the Dogs’ as well as making banners and posters to promote their campaign.  The message is clear and simple – they want to stop people bringing their dogs into their play area, leaving dog mess and making some of the children feel scared and unsafe.  
 
The entire campaign was driven by the pupils who have been troubled by this problem for years.  Head Teacher, Vicky MacKenzie, said, “The pupils all take part in thirty minute skills based clubs each Friday known as Play 31.  One club wanted to tackle the issue of dogs entering the school grounds and fouling in the playground.  This has been a problem we have been trying to eradicate for a long, long time and our pleas to dog owners entering the school grounds have fallen on deaf ears.  However, I am sure when those responsible see the heart felt plea from the pupils in this fantastic movie they will take heed and stop bringing their dogs into the school grounds.”
 
During the video the children discuss some of the problems dogs in their school grounds cause, from mess in the playground to feeling scared.   They also talk about their ideas to discourage dog owners from bringing their pets into the playground, such as shutting the gates and putting up posters and banners. 
 
The children have put a great deal of thought into the campaign, such as finding alternatives for dog owners.  Ella in P2 suggested that the children teach dog owners ‘to use the path and the pavements instead of our playground.”  And Jing in P6 said, “I want them to go somewhere else and keep them on the lead.”
 
The children are also excited about the prospect of a clean playground.  When asked the benefits it would bring the children, Leo in Primary 3 said, “We could play football safely and slide tackle on the grass without worrying about dog mess.”
 
Mrs MacKenzie is very proud of the pupils and class teachers Miss Hamilton and Miss Anderson for the work that they have put into this campaign.  She said, “The children have been the driving force behind this campaign as they are fed up with a messy playground and quite rightly feel they have the right to enjoy a clean and safe outdoor environment.  I would encourage all our parents and carers to watch the YouTube video to see just how important this issue is to Wester Cleddens Primary School”
 
You can view the video on Wester Cleddens Primary School website
  
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