PUPILS and teachers weren’t the only ones returning to the classroom in Inverclyde last week, with a beloved support dog also heading back to school in Gourock.

Australian labradoodle Indie became a familiar face to many at St Columba’s High School after joining students in March last year.

Staff say the emotional support dog, the first of her kind in Inverclyde, continues to have a ‘remarkable’ impact on students.

Indie has also helped the school’s 110 new first year pupils to settle in, having been present throughout their transition to high school.

Depute head teacher Collette McGeehan, who takes care of Indie outside of school, said: “She went out to meet them in primary seven as part of our transition.

“They were all very excited to meet her, and they’ve loved seeing her during their first few days here.”

Nicola Devine, St Columba’s head teacher, told the Tele that Indie’s impact on pupils has been ‘very significant’.

St Columba's High School (Image: Newsquest)

She added: “It might be that we have a pupil who is in some distress or has some degree of anxiety around going to a particular class or something else.

“Sometimes a little bit of time with Indie can help that young person keep calm and regulate, and feel a bit more positive about what lies ahead for the rest of the day.

“If we take Indie for a walk and talk about things, low and behold they then stay in school for the rest of the day - which is really, really remarkable.

“She can have such a significant impact on enabling young people to feel safe and secure and remain in school, and they’re feeling that sense of positive wellbeing.”

Indie is one of several ‘pull factors’ implemented at St Columba’s in recent years in a bid to support pupils and help them to re-engage with school after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teachers have been hosting a range of extra-curricular activities to encourage participation, including a drama club which currently has 80 pupils signed up.

A number of students have also been involved in a boxing club run by Greenock’s Rhys McCole, which has seen ‘incredible’ results.

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Between the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years, St Columba’s saw overall attendance increase by more than one per cent.

Mrs Devine said: “That might not sound like a lot, but in terms of the national picture, half a percentage is significant.

“Going up beyond one per cent is really significant.

“That is down to a really well-coordinated and concerted effort across a team of staff who have worked in collaboration with parents and young people.

“Their voice in all of this has been critical and they’re informing a lot of our decisions around the curriculum offer.”

Senior staff at the school say they are looking forward to another year of positive change at St Columba’s after a ‘joyful’ first few days back in the classroom.

Ms McGeehan said: “I just love the first days back. You remember what it’s all about.”

Ms Devine added: “There’s a real air of positivity.

“We’ve also welcomed eight new members of staff as well, which brings with it new beginnings and ideas.”