FAMILIES in Clydebank have made sure the area’s school leavers were able to wave goodbye in style after their schooldays were abruptly ended by the pandemic.

Kelly Docherty, 17, a pupil at St Peter the Apostle High School, has been struggling like many others with the impact of lockdown as her school year was cut short and she has had to isolate herself from family members and her friends.

Kelly said the school’s senior pupils were upset when they were told their leavers’ prom was cancelled – and that she and her classmates felt “forgotten”.

On June 4, when Kelly should have dressed up and gone to prom with all her year group, her sister Toni, 22, decorated their living room with banners, balloons and a ‘Prom’ sign.

She also laid out some drinks and nibbles, surprising Kelly when she came home.

Kelly said: “Missing the last few weeks of school was upsetting as it was our final year.

“It meant missing exams and spending time with friends before we go off to university, college and work.

“Personally for me missing exams wasn’t an issue but after seeing how hard my friends studied to get the grades they needed for university I was gutted for them.

“As for prom, my sisters decided that with ours being fully cancelled that a few of my friends could come and celebrate to try and boost our moods.

“Hopefully St Peter the Apostle looks at the comments on their post about cancelling prom and realise that they need to reschedule, as we feel we have just been let go and forgotten in this horrible time.”

Angelina Nayar, 18, another student who was disappointed by the lack of rescheduled prom, also celebrated with her mum and brother, at home.

Her mum, Shalini, said she fully understood the cancellation of the original date, but feels the school should have rearranged for a later date.

She said: “My daughter has missed out on her last day at St Peter the Apostle, celebrating her 18th birthday with friends and family, and now her prom.

“But, she’s been a wee star and taken everything as it comes.

“She should have had her prom last week, but the school have said that they aren’t willing to take responsibility to reorganise it.

“I’m going to suggest that they invite the students that have missed out on this year’s prom.

“For now, we had a party at home and she wore her dress, did her hair and make up and I ordered a prom balloon.”

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “We understand that pupils will be disappointed about the cancellation of end of year celebrations due to Covid-19.

“Any alternative plans will be organised by individual schools when it is safe to do so.

“We hope our pupils are not too disappointed and wish each of them every success for their future whether they are moving on to jobs, training, further or higher education.

“Our teachers continue to be available to any of our pupils leaving this year to offer guidance and advice and we have also circulated resources which can be accessed online.”