Thursday April 23rd 2026
Our Lady of Lourdes girls Pola and Florence with their mascot Bianca the Bear and primary head Eileen Brennan and principal teacher Laura McCrum in the Lourdes Vuitton clothing bank in the school (credit: West Lothian Council)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Girls in a West Lothian primary school hit upon a novel way to help classmates.
Their idea for a clothing bank was given a touch of class when they decided to mimic one of the world’s top fashion brands, Louis Vuitton.
The success of Lourdes Vuitton, exclusive to Blackburn’s Our Lady of Lourdes Primary, was among well-being projects celebrated at a recent meeting of the council’s Education PDSP at Livingston.
Florence and Pola, who also brought the school’s giant mascot, a toy bear named Bianca, to the meeting, told councillors about the set up of their school clothing bank.
Named Lourdes Vuitton to mimic the French luxury fashion house after a suggestion by a classmate – the school bank offers uniforms, shoes and accessories to pupils.
The clothing bank also has themed costumes for Halloween and Christmas. The girls are also able to offer sports kit such as football boots and dancewear to help children outside of school with their sports or other interests.
Pola told the meeting: “Lourdes Vuitton is central to our school. It is also central to our health and well-being.”
Pupils from other schools also spoke about in-school projects to promote well-being inclusion and attendance including anti-bullying projects and pupil respect in Whinchburgh Academy and West Calder High school.
A pupil from Ogilvie Campus summed up the feeling of all who took part in the presentation when he said: “I feel included at school.”
A report the the PDSP said: “The Well-being, Inclusion and Attendance outcome aims to improve the wellbeing, inclusion and attendance of all children and young people, while also promoting confidence, independent thinking and resilience.
“Fundamental to this is working with families and partners to support the highest possible levels of engagement and equity for all.
“The work remains firmly aligned with the National Improvement Framework and reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable, high-quality support for all children and young people.”
Councillors praised the maturity and confidence of the pupils who took part in the presentation to the committee.
“An absolutely brilliant presentation from everyone today. Really, really impressive, all of you” said Councilor Peter Heggie, the depute Provost.
Councillor Pauline Orr said: “There’s a lot of pupil input into these projects you are clearly looking after each other as a community across the schools and you are helping the environment. That will stay with me.”
Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “I was absolutely enthralled with this presentation. You have stepped forward to a challenge and launched right into it and that is what counts in life and in your studies, You have taken big steps forward and I wish all the best for the future.
Andrew McGuire said: “We hear about these policies at this committee You have added some real colour to them. Thank you for that.”
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