Young people took centre stage at a conference for S2 pupils in November at the Strathclyde Hilton Hotel in Bellshill. The title of the day (suggested by one of the S2 pupils), was 'Rocket Talk'.

The event lived up to its name, providing young people with a powerful and exciting vehicle to convey their comments about their S2 experiences to the Scottish Parliament!

In February, as promised, a group of young people from the conference, made a presentation to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament, based on the key messages from the S2 delegates which were posted in the model rocket at the conference.

Even during conference registration, there was a positive 'buzz', which was sustained through a varied conference format including morning discussion groups for pupils which focused on specific issues (such as rights and rules); and a drama presentation by pupils from North Lanarkshire.

Afternoon highlights included workgroups where pupils worked on activities (such as designing an ideal school uniform) and then made a group presentation to demonstrate and explain the outcome.

Another highlight was the teachers' activity - the creation and performance of their very own rap! Other highlights included a lively plenary session with the keynote speaker, Brian Boyd and the Scottish Executive representative Diana Sampson, where pupils took the opportunity of making suggestions and comments on the issues in S2 which really matter to them.

Details of this special pupils' presentation to the Scottish Parliament will appear in a four page report which will be sent to all S2 pupils in each Scottish secondary school.

"Our group of four vulnerable and reticent pupils had a great time and got a great boost (dreadful pun) from the rocket launch. They talked of nothing else on the long journey home!"
Comment made by a teacher after the conference.

June 2003
Ethos Network Roadshow
The focus of the Ethos Network's summer Roadshow is 'inclusive schools'. Details to be confirmed shortly.

Anti-Bullying Network 2003 Annual Conference
The Anti-Bullying Network is holding its annual conference in Glasgow on 13th May 2003. Dr Mona O'Moore from Trinity College Dublin will be addressing a question that many teachers and parents would like answered: Anti-Bullying, What Works? Delegate fee: £100. More information on the Anti-Bullying Network website.

We would like to wish Christine MacLean all the very best in her new post as Policy Officer with Clackmannanshire Council. Christine was manager of the Ethos Network for almost three years and played a major part in its development and growth. More than this, in her daily activities at the Network, she brought her own positive ethos and humour and was a valued member of the team. Her departure has resulted in a number of changes to the staff structure of the Network. While Professor Munn remains Director, Andrew Mellor, who has worked closely with the SSEN as Manager of the Anti-Bullying Network, takes up a joint role as Manager of both networks. Another exciting development is the creation of the new post of Development Officer, to further enhance the activities of both Networks. It is hoped that the new member of staff will take up his/her post in the Spring.

In December 2002, Professor Pamela Munn announced that the Scottish Schools Ethos Network Award was to be discontinued. The Award was created in 1996-7 to help highlight the importance of school ethos and as a way of recognising schools who demonstrated a continuing commitment to developing a positive ethos. Since then 15 schools have been recognised. Professor Munn explained that the Ethos Network's Advisory Committee had taken its decision because it felt that the award had now served its purpose and, as she pointed out, there are now many other educational awards on offer.

The case studies of the 1997-2001 award winners appear in the publication 'Building on Success', which was launched at the 2002 annual conference in May. The case study of the 2002 winner, Alloa Academy, was published separately at the end of last year. While the Award no longer exists, other Network services continue to develop and thrive and we always welcome your ideas and information about developing a positive ethos.