Callum Fraser

Name: Callum Fraser Age: 16 Year: S5 School: Portobello High School Setting: During the P7 three-day transition visit Callum Fraser is the kind of S5 pupil who makes the P7 transition week feel a little less scary. As the corridors fill with nervous new faces on their three-day visit, Callum—16, kind-eyed, and soft-spoken—is the one quietly stepping in to help. Whether it's showing someone where their class is or offering a smile to calm a shaking hand, he does it naturally. Not because he's told to, but because that's just who he is. But behind his steady presence, Callum carries his own quiet struggle. He was diagnosed with scoliosis in early secondary, and since then, his spine has curved more than most people realise. Some days, the ache is sharp and unrelenting—especially during long periods sitting in class or after walking up the school’s endless stairs. He wears a back brace when he needs to, under his hoodie, and though he rarely talks about it, the pain can make school feel like a mountain. Still, he shows up. Always. Even this week, when the school is louder and more chaotic than usual, Callum doesn’t back down. His posture might be slightly off, his movements slower, but his presence is calm and comforting. Teachers trust him, younger pupils look up to him, and his classmates admire him even if they don’t say it out loud. Callum’s girlfriend, Liv McIntosh, is also in S5. She’s clever, driven, and fiercely herself. While she’s not helping with the P7's, she always finds time to check in with him between classes. They share quiet corners and soft moments, like a shared snack at break or leaning against the lockers, laughing about something no one else would get. Callum may have a curved spine, but he walks through life with his head high, his heart full, and a steady grace that even the busiest school day can’t shake.