European Commission and European Parliament Quotes
“It was a pleasure to meet with the young Scottish winners of this Speaking Competition, Nadine and Morag. I was impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm. The Trust is doing excellent work helping young people to get a better understanding of their fellow Europeans. This is important for the future of all of our young people”
Hans-Gert Poettering, former President, European Parliament.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to see at first hand something of the excellent work of the Scottish European Educational Trust when I was in Edinburgh. Promoting an increased awareness of Europe among young people is a project well worth supporting”
Jose Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission
“As citizens of the European Union our young people need to learn more about Europe and their fellow Europeans. The Scottish European Educational Trust does remarkable work in involving young Scots of all ages on European matters”
Ian Hudghton MEP, George Lyon MEP, David Martin MEP, Alyn Smith MEP, Struan Stevenson MEP, Catherine Stihler MEP
Other quotes:
EUROQUIZ
"I've really enjoyed being in Euroquiz because I liked the After School Class we had for training. It gave me the chance to get to know my classmates better and helped me make stronger friendships. When the quiz started I loved knowing that my studying had paid off when I knew the answers to most of the questions."
Amy McDowell, St Mary’s Duntocher team member
"I know, from time as Senior Careers Officer in Clydebank, that Duntocher is an area of relative deprivation and that, having been hammered by unemployment in the 80s, it is likely to be suffering the longer-term effects of this, so a good news story's a concrete bonus. It's also good to see geographical spread of winners."
Dugald Craig, West of Scotland Colleges
"In our situation where we always have to travel to venues it was such a bonus to have overnight accommodation. Everyone involved in the New Elgin Primary team had a whale of a time"
Anne Thomson, Moray
"It was an experience we will never forget which afforded us the opportunity of a closer look at our parliament building. The children were delighted to meet and work in groups with other P6s from all over Scotland and, ultimately to compete in such a nationally prestigious event. The quiz threw up some ideas for the future e.g. debating teams school and authority wide, and some curriculum development issues"
Mara Matthews, Midlothian Council
"The most important message we can pass on to young people is that achievement and success are attainable to all irrespective of race, creed or social class. We must believe in them and encourage them to believe in themselves. This young team said 'yes we can' and in the process gained a very respectable score in the finals of the Scottish European Educational Trust's Euroquiz. They are so proud of themselves"
Mrs Lusby, Head Teacher, Rowantree Primary School, Dundee
“Our pupils really, really enjoyed the event and they learned so much about Europe in preparing for, and taking part in the quiz.”
Stewart Crabb, Leith Walk Primary School
“The Euroquiz is an excellent event which allows the children to develop their knowledge of Europe in a fun way. It encourages independent and collaborative learning and encourages team work.”
Irene Williams, Pinkie St. Peters Primary School
“The Euroquiz was thoroughly enjoyed by all – pupils and adults alike. The children worked hard to increase their knowledge and understanding of the European Union and impressed us all with their sportsmanship and manners.”
Mike McCabe, Director of Education, South Ayrshire
“The Euroquiz was an exciting morning which all the children thoroughly enjoyed! Nail-biting stuff!”
Maeve Maltby, Deputy Head, St. Patrick’s Primary, Troon
“The best part of the morning was working as a team to answer the questions.”
Euroquiz participant
“I think we should have this Euroquiz in P5, P6 and P7”
Participant, West Dunbartonshire Euroquiz
“We’re terrible at everything else, but we’re good at the Euroquiz. It was deadly!”
West Dunbartonshire team
“Being involved in the Euroquiz and the Speaking Competition were two of the highlights of my job last year and I know that pupils and staff really enjoyed participating”
John Morrow, International Co-ordinator, Inverclyde.
"The team from Cairneyhill certainly enjoyed the Euro-quiz and did really well with their score.The children all worked hard learning about Europe at home and at school.The behaviour of all the teams was excellent and I enjoyed sitting with and talking to the children from Benarty. Please pass on my thanks to all involved and special thanks to yourself for organising the competition. Hope the Euro-quiz continues next year! "
Thelma Bald, Class teacher, Primary 6 – Fife 2009 Euroquiz heat
"I made up some questions to go in our Christmas crackers, and as I was studying for the Euroquiz I asked some questions about European flags"
Anna, Mid Calder team, West Lothian
"The most important message we can pass on to young people is that achievement and success are attainable to all irrespective of race, creed or social class. We must believe in them and encourage them to
believe in themselves. This young team said 'yes we can' and in the process gained a very respectable score in the finals of the Scottish European Educational Trust's Euroquiz. They are so proud of themselves."
Mrs Lusby, Head Teacher, Rowantree Primary School, Dundee
'We're the Eurochampz aboard the Euro Express we try so very hard
we're aiming for success!!"
Rowantree Team, Dundee
"Everyone involved in the New Elgin Primary team had a whale of a time"
Anne Thomson, Moray
"Many thanks for your assistance and enthusiasm for the Euroquiz. We certainly appreciate how much SEET do for our children, and how much they enjoy it."
Jan Howard, West Dunbartonshire
"I thoroughly enjoyed organising the quiz and I think it is an absolutely fantastic resource for our children."
Alison Mitchell, East Renfrewshire
"It was evident how much the children enjoyed the Fife Euroquiz, in a spirit of healthy competition"
Kenneth Greer, Executive Director (Education) Fife Council
"Hard but fun! It was great to take part! Really enjoyed it!"
Elliot Young, pupil, West Lothian Euroquiz
"As a parent I am delighted that the chance to learn more about the European Union and it's institutions is provided in the form of such a good Euroquiz. Long may it last."
Caroline Young, parent
SPEAKING COMPETITION
"This is exactly the kind of thing that our pupils need to have the chance of participating in."
Hugh Fraser, Director of Education, Culture and Sport, The Highland Council
“The Speaking competition was an amazing opportunity which has widened our horizons for the future. We have gained in confidence while talking in front of audiences of many ages, and have expanded our knowledge of the European Union and our place within it”
Sarah Armes and Sinead Leach, Broughton High School, Edinburgh, Speaking Competition winners 2007
“The Speaking Competition is a great opportunity for Scottish young people and it was a privilege to be present at the event”
Frank McGrail, Head of Strategic Planning, Children and Families Dept, City of Edinburgh Council
"The competition embraces the aims and capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence in a way that allows pupils to get a realistic and practical experience of acquiring confidence as individuals, taking their role as effective contributors and caring citizens to heart and spreading that message among their peers. I have also benefitted in my role as a Guidance Principal in gaining an insight into the workings of the various European bodies and the career opportunities that may be available to young people interested in working in Brussels or elsewhere in Europe. "
Marion Morrison, teacher, Lionacleit School, Benbecula
"This competition has not only been extremely interesting but also very exciting. Choosing a topic and speaking about it really increased my knowledge of not only the subject of the speech - the Roma people in Romania, but also the European Union itself. I now feel that after winning the competition and visiting Brussels, I understand much more about what the European Union actually does and I hope that in the future I can expand on this. I had a wonderful time in Brussels and would love to go back"
Morag Wells, Lionacleit School, winner 2008
LIVING AND WORKING IN EUROPE, STUDENT CONFERENCE
"I was invited to speak at Strathclyde University about my year abroad in Barcelona. I was told I'd be doing someone a favour by giving a wee informal talk about what I got up to when I was away, but to be honest they did me a favour. The conference was really useful and certainly expelled those typical 'what-will-I-do-when-I-graduate' worries that we all get towards the end of uni. It filled a real gap as I'd never heard of anything similar and certainly nothing so accessible. Thanks to that conference I've met great, and useful, people and feel a lot more relaxed about graduating and have a better idea of all that Europe has to offer. "
Eilidh Hall, University of Glasgow