Kids get a bad name these days.

From stories about neds hanging about on street corners to underage boozers causing havoc in our parks at night, it's difficult not to get depressed and anxious about the amount of trouble they seem to get themselves into.

So suffice to say, I wasn't looking forward to mingling with them on my return to Kirkcaldy High School this week.

To be honest, I had nightmare visions of having my dinner money stolen or being tripped up in the corridor.

And when Judith Kerr, depute rector at the school, produced a blazer, tie and polo shirt for me to wear on my arrival, my mood did not improve. The only consolation was it still fitted!

Donning the prefect blazer once again took me back to my days as deputy head girl at KHS, a heady time before the responsibilities of adult life kicked in.




I filled my time in music and English class, avoiding chemistry and science like the plague, as I didn't, and still don't, know my pipette from my bunsen burner.

During my trip back this week, I noticed a lot of similarities - turns out I still struggle with maths and chemistry - but some things have moved on.

These days, kids at KHS don't have to look at the blackboard, they learn by watching an overhead projector hooked up to a computer. All very high tech!

The youth of today are also socially aware and I couldn't help noticing the display in the library as part of the range of activities for Fairtrade fortnight which included a book stand and Fairtrade products on show. Yes, youngsters do care about the world around them, contrary to popular belief.

I also got the chance to talk to a group of senior pupils who are studying communications. It was an enlightening experience.

This group of eloquent pupils are on the cusp of leaving school, and are the product of six years at Kirkcaldy High.

And as it turns out, they are intelligent, respectful and funny, a credit to themselves and the school. They told me modestly about their plans for their future, their thoughts on the problems of anti-social behaviour and how they have noticed younger kids are growing up too fast.

It then struck me what the biggest difference is from my school days to their's.

Kids now face a double struggle. Not only do they have the pressure to achieve, they have to do it while combating the stereotype that they're all bad apples.

The good news is they're not all rogues out to steal your purse.
Give them a chance and talk to them and hopefully, like me, you'll be pleasantly surprised.