Craigroyston praised at Holyrood!

Education Minister congratulates our local community high school

The fantastic improvement of education standards at Craigroyston Community High School was acknowledged this week by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance MSP.

Ms Constance made her comments following questions from Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir – the school sits within Mr Keir’s constituency.

Craigroyston has seen a dramatic improvement in HMIE results as well as using innovative practices within the curriculum.

Colin Keir said: “The way Craigroyston Community High School has improved is a credit to the pupils, staff and the Headteacher Steve Ross. Partnership working, enthusiastic ideas and the will to get better results for the students is driving this school community forward and should be seen as a source of pride for the whole community”.

The parliamentary exchange:

School Leavers (Positive Destinations)

Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination. (S4O-04498)

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance): As I said earlier, the proportion of young people who left school and who have sustained a positive destination has reached a record 91.7 per cent. Curriculum for excellence offers young people learning that promotes academic and vocational qualifications that are informed by the needs of our employers. “Developing the Young Workforce—Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy” sets out our aim to further the links between education and industry.

Our opportunities for all commitment ensures that an offer of further learning or training is in place for all young people until their 20th birthday. Young people are better supported than ever to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them. That includes better career information, advice and guidance so that they can make informed learning and career choices based on labour market demand.

Colin Keir: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the actions that have been taken at Craigroyston Community High School in my constituency, which has had a magnificent improvement in Education Scotland reports through enlightened changes to its curriculum as well as partnership with local businesses, should be seen as an excellent model for preparing students for life beyond school as well as a source of pride for the local community?

Angela Constance: Yes. I have visited Craigroyston Community High School on two occasions, the first of which was for the launch of the report of the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce.

I congratulate the headteacher, staff and pupils of Craigroyston on the improvements that they have made.

Education Scotland has identified key strengths in the school, such as its co-ordinated and high-quality support for young people and their families and the shared vision that is securing positive destinations for young people. Those are key aspects of raising attainment. I know that the headteacher shared his curriculum model with other secondary headteachers at a national conference on Curriculum for Excellence earlier this year.

Fancy a selfie with a kelpie?

Mini versions of Falkirk’s world-famous Kelpies are coming to Edinburgh’s West End

Mini versions of the famous Kelpies are to be installed at the West End on Sunday – and passers-by and curious visitors are being encouraged to tweet a ‘Selfie with Kelpie’ using hashtag #kelfie15 !

The 10-foot tall maquettes were the basis for the full-sized equine sculptures which are now the centrepiece of The Helix Parkland, a £43million regeneration project near Falkirk.

Our own wee kelpies will be stationed at the junction of Princes Street, Lothian Road and Shandwick Place over summer as part of the drive to celebrate the city’s new-look West End, encouraging footfall and promoting local businesses, as well as raising awareness of their iconic big brothers!

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “These fantastic creations represent a modern Scottish landmark so we are delighted to be able to host them here over the busy Festival period.

“The West End of Edinburgh is currently undergoing a series of improvements which, alongside this striking artwork, will vastly improve the area for residents, shoppers and visitors to the city.”

Jock Miller, Chair of the West End Community Council, said: “The West End Community Council is delighted that the Kelpies are coming to the West End. We see this as the start of an artists’ trail through the West End to promote the area as both a place to live and work.”

Since the launch of the attraction in April 2014, the miniatures, hand-crafted by renowned sculptor Andy Scott, have toured as far afield as Chicago, North Carolina, New York and, most recently, Edinburgh Airport, Queen Margaret University and Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.

It was originally agreed that the south-facing space at the top of Hope Street should be set aside for large scale public sculpture after discussions between the local community, businesses and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The new addition will help to set a standard for the best use of civic spaces in Edinburgh, marking the end of work to reinstate and improve public realm in the West End of the city.

Michael Apter, Chair, Edinburgh’s West End BID, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Kelpies to Edinburgh’s West End. The sculptures have already created a huge impact in Scotland, and we are really excite to see the models draw crowds to our part of the city centre, and into our businesses, this summer”.

The Kelpies, a 30-metre, 300-tonne public artwork funded by The Big Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals, forms the gateway to the new section of canal in Falkirk linking the Forth and Clyde.

The two horses heads, which are the world’s largest equine sculpture, pay homage to the tradition of working horses in Scotland, and their role pulling barges along canals and ploughing fields.

Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Adrian Mahoney, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the Maquettes will be in the thick of it during the Edinburgh Festival this year, promoting The Kelpies to the millions of visitors who are expected to travel to the capital for the event. It will encourage tourists to learn about this fantastic public sculpture and take a short trip to the Falkirk area to see it for themselves during their stay.”

The miniature versions will remain in Edinburgh’s city centre until the end of the Festival.

City set to mark Armed Forces Day

The Grassmarket will welcome a parade of serving personnel, veterans and their supporters tomorrow as Edinburgh marks Armed Forces Day.

Celebrations for the Waterloo parade will begin with a salute at 10:25am from HRH The Duke of Kent on the Royal Mile.

At 11:30am, a spectacular Armed Forces Day parade of up to 500 serving personnel and veterans will march from Johnston Terrace via Candlemaker Row to the Grassmarket, culminating in an afternoon of live music and dance right up until 3:00pm.

Highlights include a welcome from Edinburgh’s Veterans Champion, Lord Provost Donald Wilson, and a flashback to the forties with retro dance troupe The Kennedy Cupcakes, ska music from the Pork Pie Band, and a traditional Scots military band.

Earlier this week the Armed Forces Day flag was presented to the Deputy Lord Provost Councillor Steve Cardownie and raised above the City Chambers to honour Armed Forces personnel past, present and future. The flag will remain in place until after the weekend.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Veterans Champion, Donald Wilson, said: “This city has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and our veterans. Holding a day in their honour provides a great morale boost for the troops and their families and the parade and live entertainment is the city’s way of saying thank you.

“This year’s celebrations promise a great day out and the perfect opportunity for Edinburgh residents to show their support of serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.”

Kevin Gray MM, Chief Executive Officer at Legion Scotland, said: “Legion Scotland is proud to once again play a major part in the Edinburgh Armed Forces Day parade to honour Armed Forces personnel and show our thanks and support for our veterans. It is so important to come together and spend a little time to show our gratitude and respect to the members of our Armed Forces and veterans who have made enormous sacrifices to help protect our freedom.

“We hope that serving personnel, veterans, families the Edinburgh community and visitors to the City will stand together and join us on the day in showing our heartfelt thanks to all those who protect us.”

Colonel Martin Gibson, Executive Chairman of Veterans Scotland, said: “The City of Edinburgh has been a garrison town for many centuries and has a long tradition of military involvement, so it is very fitting that the contribution of those serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force is being marked in this way. The City, along with its partners, is a leader in honouring the Military Covenant which commits councils to ensure that both the serving and their families and our veterans are not disadvantaged by their service.

“Service personnel offer highly desirable transferable employment skills, which have been recognised by hundreds of employers in Edinburgh and the Lothians; this is good news. The veterans’ community is very grateful to the City for once again holding this event in the heart of the Old Town.”

Armed Forces Day is the annual UK wide campaign that allows everyone to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces past and present, including currently serving troops, service families, Reservists, veterans and cadets.

Find directions and event information at the Legion Scotland website

Care students cash in for cancer charity

Cold juice sells like hot cakes!

Edinburgh College lecturer Alan Laing set his Access to Care students a fundraising challenge: take this £20 and make a profit for charity. The seven students proved to be well up to the task and earlier this week presented Cancer Research UK with a cheque for £270!

Incredibly, the students raised the money in just four hours! Showing true entrepreneurial spirit, the students bought cakes, snacks and soft drinks at discount prices and sold them on to fellow students at a healthy profit. Lord Sugar himself would surely have been impressed!

The soft drinks in particular were an inspired idea – the day of the sale proved to be one of the hottest of the year so far and the juice ‘flew off the shelves’.

Enterprising students Sophie, Kerry-Anne, Jackie and Niamh are pictured with College Principal Annette Bruton, course lecturer Alan Laing and Cancer Research shop volunteer Elaine Lennon,who accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity.

Fellow fundrasing students Connor, Fraser and Lorraine couldn’t attend the cheque presentation – maybe away pitching an idea or making a few quid on a market stall somewhere!

Granton Toddlers Summer Fair’s on Saturday

Join Granton Toddlers for their Summer Fair at Granton Parish Church tomorrow. The fun kicks off at 10am.

Tonight’s the night for KABO boxers

It’s been a lot of hard work for everyone involved, but they’ve made it. Tonight’s the night for ‘The Jewel of the North’, KABO’s biggest ever boxing event.

Some seats are still available for the show at Edinburgh College Granton Campus: there’s one ringside table left at £20 per seat, and you can also pay on the door (£15).

Doors open at 6.30 and the action starts at 7pm

Seconds out …

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Muirhouse Millennium walkers set to hit the streets

The annual sponsored walk to support the biggest Summer Play Scheme in this area – supported and made possible by the parents, other third sector supporters and the Centre itself – gets underway at around 1pm today (writes James McGinty).

. This walk is becoming an ‘annual pilgrimage’ for people who do their best to support their communities. Refreshments will be available at the end of the walk as everyone returns to the Centre.

A bridge too far?

Locals vow to fight Earthy demolition at Canonmills

Campaigners in Canonmills have vowed to fight the demolishing of a much-loved local resource to make way for a new four-storey development. The campaigners plan to step up their action with a weekend of awareness raising on the bridge.

Led by local resident Jan Anderson and architectural/urban designer and lecturer Ross McEwan, the current campaign has seen a phenomenal response from the community who feel that they have been left in the dark over plans for the 18th century bridge in Inverleith Conservation Area.

And being left in the dark is exactly what will happen if the demolition goes ahead – as a four storey new build is due to be put in it’s place, overshadowing the area, blocking the views of the waters and wildlife and destroying the iconic skyline for residents and tourists to the area alike.

The traditional single-storey building at 1 – 6 Canonmills Bridge has found a place in the hearts of locals and visitors to the area, serving as an attractive and popular hub for social life around a busy junction. An online petition has attracted almost 2500 signatures in just two weeks and the momentum is set to continue with a weekend of partying and petitioning on the bridge to raise awareness this Saturday and Sunday.

If the demolition of the one-storey building is approved the space will be used to erect a mixed use development of two restaurants, six flats and three townhouses. The approval of that building was granted in 2009, but the applicants did not get the necessary permissions and approval needed to demolish a building in a conservation area – and the new development cannot go ahead unless the current building is demolished.

Jan Anderson said: “We want to ensure that this time everyone is aware of the plans for the area as to date it certainly hasn’t been made clear to the wider public what is happening with this beautiful historic, conservation area. We need people to know that it’s not too late and we can still stop the demolition by writing to the planning sub-committee, the local councillors and spreading the word.”

The demolition is due to appear on city council’s Planning sub-committee agenda on either 27 July or 12 August and the locals are gearing up to spend the coming weeks ensuring that Edinburgh council realises that this particular proposal is seen as a ‘bridge too far’.

Funded childcare: take your place!

Around 20,000 two year olds are now eligible for funded early learning and childcare – and parents and carers are being reminded to take up a place for their child.

The entitlement to 600 hours of annual funded early learning and childcare has been extended to two year olds from low income households. This comes into effect from August and adds to the entitlement for all three and four year olds and around 15 per cent of two year olds.

Acting Minister for Children Fiona McLeod reminded parents of eligible children to register for their funded places as she met staff and children at Dens Nursery in Dundee yesterday. Ms McLeod said:

“We know the early years are a crucial point in a child’s life where they develop essential skills. This is especially true for more vulnerable or disadvantaged children and I’m pleased they will be able to benefit from this extra provision.

“This is not simply about childcare; it is about ensuring all three and four year olds and those two year olds who would benefit the most, have access to high quality early learning and education in a nurturing environment. This will allow them to develop vital skills including literacy and numeracy from an early age.

“I’m encouraging all parents and carers to check if their child is eligible for funded early learning and childcare and register now so they can get their place in the autumn term.”

A public information campaign with advice for parents and carers on the eligibility criteria for funded early learning and childcare will begin next month.

Play time at children’s hospitals

Young patients undergoing treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC), the CAHMS Inpatient Unit at the Royal Hospital in Edinburgh and the Children’s Ward at St John’s Hospital in Livingston have received a host of special gifts to help fill the hours spent in hospital.

Get-Well Gamers, a charity dedicated to bringing electronic entertainment to children’s hospitals for the benefit of entertainment and pain relief, has donated a number of gaming consoles and games to the West Lothian ward, including Xbox 360s, PlayStation 3s and Nintendo Wiis.

Originally donated to the charity from Microsoft, the consoles have now been redistributed to children’s hospitals across the UK.

Jordan McDonald, Play Specialist at St John’s, said: “Our brand new Xbox has already been well used. Four boys who were at the ward for theatre used the console to play FIFA together, with one little boy even saying it was the best day of his life! This sort of reaction from children is truly priceless – we can’t thank Get-Well Gamers and the Sick Kids Friends Foundation enough their generosity in making these distractions possible.”

James Stewart, Director of Get-Well Gamers UK, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to donate to St John’s Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Play Specialists do fantastic work and have next to no budget for video games and consoles.

“Having access to electronic entertainment is of great benefit to children in hospital. It helps them with pain management, encourages socialising with other children and alleviates boredom. We’re very grateful to The Sick Kids Foundation for making this donation possible.”

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF), which is responsible for funding the best facilities, equipment, distractions, emotional support, training and research in the RHSC and its surrounding facilities, has worked closely with gamers over the last six years to raise money for these extra comforts.

The charity’s Sick Kids Save Point – now the biggest video gaming marathon in the UK – has raised £72,000 to date and continues to champion gaming as a welcome distraction for sick kids spending hours on hospital wards.

Rachel McKenzie, head of fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “Get-Well Gamers’ donations have already made a fantastic difference to the children’s hospital experience.

“We’re always looking for people to help support the work of the Foundation and make life a little easier for our young patients. I would encourage any gaming fanatics keen to do something different for the cause to sign up to our 24 hour Sick Kids Save Point gaming marathon taking place later this year.”

Sick Kids Save Point event takes place from 9 until 11 October, 2015. For more information visit www.sickkidssavepoint.com.

For more information on Get-Well Gamers visit www.getwellgamers.org.uk.