STIRLING SCREENWRITER INSPIRES NEXT GENERATION
Award-winning screenwriter Lesley Paterson told pupils: ‘Never give up on your dreams.’
Fresh from the success of All Quiet On The Western Front at the Oscars, screenwriter Lesley Paterson delivered an uplifting assembly to pupils at her former school today (21 March 2023).
The award-winning screenwriter and world class triathlete told children at Allan’s Primary School to dream big and never give up on their ambitions.
Lesley, who also attended Stirling High, promised Allan’s Primary pupils that she would chat and take part in a Q&A after they sent her a good luck message ahead of the biggest event in the movie calendar earlier this month.
She joined P5-P7s on a Google Meet from her home in Los Angeles as she recalled the journey to bring the book she first read as a schoolgirl in Stirling to the big screen - using her triathlon prize winnings to fund her dreams.
All Quiet On The Western Front took four awards at the Oscars, making it the most successful Netflix movie ever at the Academy Awards.
This followed the film’s success at the BAFTA Film Awards last month, where the anti-war film scooped seven awards including best adapted screenplay.
Lesley told pupils: “A lot of people in my life have told me: ‘You can’t do that, you aren’t good enough, don’t bother trying’.
“But if you are really passionate and have a dream about something and you really want to do it, then follow that dream, no matter what. Just keep going.
“I’m still in touch with some of the best friends I made at Allan’s and we had some amazing teachers. Hopefully next time I’m in Scotland I’ll come and visit you at the school – and keep telling stories.”
Allan’s Primary head teacher Lindsey Howland added: “Lesley promised the children she would join them for an assembly – and she was as good as her word.
“She has been such an inspiration to the children and her messages of resilience and never giving up have really struck a chord with the pupils.
“Lesley has displayed hard work, perseverance, discipline and creativity throughout her career and these are attributes that resonate with the children.”
Cllr Danny Gibson, Convenor of the Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “Lesley is another wonderful Stirling success story.
“Her determination and never-say-die attitude in the worlds of sport and cinema are a fantastic example to pupils across Stirling about achieving their full potential.
“We thank her for taking the time and sharing her fabulous story with our young people.”