It’s here! Edinburgh’s community gardeners take centre stage this weekend as The Power of Food Festival takes place at venues and locations across the city.
For further info visit https://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/
It’s here! Edinburgh’s community gardeners take centre stage this weekend as The Power of Food Festival takes place at venues and locations across the city.
For further info visit https://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/
Getting together, Making A Difference exhibition opens
North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group launched their eagerly-anticipated Gettting Together, Making A Difference exhibition with song, speeches, films, discusssion and even a little poetry at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre today.
The exhibition highlights the work carried out by local women activists over the years to improve conditions for the people living in ourNorh Edinburgh communities.
The event was all about the importance of solidarity and community spirit, mutual support and the need to keep up the fight to save local services. It’s an argument that was eloquently made in the past by activists like Jenny Marrow, Evelyn Preston, Maureen MacMillan Gwen Crystal and Sandra Purnell -strong voices sadly no longer with us.
You get the impression, though, that the fighting spirit still burns just as brightly in the hearts of our current activists – both the young and the vastly experienced, all of whom packed Royston Wardieburn today. I’m sure Jenny, Evelyn, Maureen – all of them – would have loved this celebration.
Me? I was just proud to be an honorary woman for the day!
More pictures on our Facebook page!
PHENOMENAL WOMAN
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
MORE PICTURES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
92.8% of Craigroyston leavers move into training, further education or employment
It’s official: Craigroyston Community High School is the most improved school in the city! The local high school has shown a remarkable improvement and that’s down to a ‘can do’ partnership approach and sheer hard work.
The latest School Leavers Destination Returns figures just released by Skills Development Scotland reveal that of the 68 pupils who left Craigroyston, 63 (92.8 per cent) went on to positive destinations – that’s into work, training or further education. The figure compares favourably with last year’s figure of 79.5% – even someone with my basic arithmetic can work out that’s a great result!
Craigroyston head teacher Steve Ross believes that too many students fall out of education too early, and the school’s approach from S3 onwards is to offer a range of vocational options alongside the traditional core academic subjects. While some vocational choices are taught by Craigroyston staff others are delivered by Edinburgh College and a range of business partners.
This aim of this partnership approach is to provide students with a clear path to a job, an apprenticeship or a college course when it’s time to leave school. There’s sustained support for all students, ensuring that the young people are equipped with the skills – and the attitude – needed to hold down a job, college place or apprenticeship.
Understandably the whole school community is delighted with the latest results.
Deputy Head Karen Smart said: “We’re definitely on the rise, and I think that’s down to really good partnership working and a lot of hard work by everyone involved.
“There have been eight meetings with partnership agencies over the course of the year and these have been rigorous and really effective – every one has arrived with the right information, communication between the different partners has been excellent and we’ve worked closely together to ensure that the right person is there to provide support for the student when it’s needed.
“Our school is all about employability and acquiring appropriate skills throughout the curriculum, ensuring that pupils will be university, college or job-ready at the end of S6 and always with getting a job at the end. Our S1 pupils understand that they will be with us until the end of S6. These latest figures show that the approach we are taking is having a positive effect.”
Pupil Support Teacher Claire Stewart agrees. “Every student is very different and we’ve been working hard with every one of them to develop the skills they need to progress. We make sure that the support is there throughout: if we find gaps in provision, we fill them and, if it becomes clear that something isn’t working and a problem has arisen we’ve quickly addressed it. The students understand what we are trying to do and they are at the heart of the process – we’re working to achieve positive results together.”
S6 students James and Emma took part in a recent networking event involving the school and a wide range of businesses and organisations; a good opportunity to meet potential employers and find out what options are available when the time comes to decide on a career.
Both James and Emma have just finished their exams and now there’s the anxious wait for the exam results in August.
“It was a well-organised event and a lot of companies were there,”said James. “There’s a huge theme of employment at the school now and it means you are focused on thinking about plans for the future. I’m very interested in the performing arts and that’s a definite possibility for me, but I will keep my options open. Even if I did become a student, I would probably still be looking for part-time employment while I was studying so there’s a lot to consider.”
Emma said: “I’ve enjoyed the curriculum change, the more academic courses alongside free choice subjects. It’s a mix you don’t get at others schools and it’s a really good idea. Not everyone wants to go to university so this works well for most students. I think most students appreciate the change that’s happening at the school.”
The S4, S5 and S6s all work together, too – and it’s led to some healthy competition!
“It’s been noticeably different over the last couple of years, but it’s definitely a change for the better. It seemed a bit strange at first to be working with the older pupils, but you soon realise you are all on the same side,” Emma added. “As an S4 you get more responsibilities and working with the older pupils makes the transition smoother. It felt a bit strange when our last S6s left – some of those students were your role models. Then you realise that you are the seniors now – and younger pupils will be taking their lead from you!”
James recalled a chance encounter with one former pupil. “Some of the guys who left have really surprised me. A few days ago I bumped into one of the seniors who left last year, although I didn’t recognise him at first. He was dressed in a suit and tie and looked really, really smart – and I thought: good luck to you, mate, well done!”
Total Craigroyston was set up two years ago to improve outcomes for children and families in the neighbourhood around Craigroyston Community High School.
It does this by working to strengthen local public services, strengthening support for families and by building on the strength of the community through supporting local activities and initiatives.
Total Craigroyston manager Christine Mackay said: “These results are fantastic and are the result of good solid partnership working. Getting into work, training or more education after leaving school is really important to help young people have a good life and to be able to contribute to society. The school and all it’s partners work really hard together to make sure that all our youngsters take a good solid step into their future after leaving school.”
I thought I would share this fantastic news with you all first. Last night at the City Chambers our very own Josh Hardwick received a Youth Volunteering award for all his work with TRIM and the shop.
I attended with him and he was absolutely delighted.
I am sure you will all join me when I say huge well done to him.
More details will be posted on our website today
Robert Pearson, TRIM
Congratulations to Craigroyston Primary School choir
Craigroyston Primary School children flew the flag for North Edinburgh at The Assembly Rooms in George Street when they took part in the inaugural Edinburgh Glee Challenge last week.
The Frisson Foundation charity’s vision is to get every primary school child in Scotland singing, and back in 2013 they held their first GLEE event in Fife. Glee has been a real phenomenon and the event proved a huge success. Since then the idea has continued to grow in popularity and last week’s competition was the first event to be staged in the capital.
Craigroyston’s young singers warmed up for the event at the opening of the school’s popular art exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts – where they performed brilliantly without a backing track!
Joining Craigroyston at the event were Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce, Carrick Knowe Primary School, Clovenstone Primary School and Clermiston Primary School, and after some excellent performances Clermiston were crowned champions.
Congratulations to Clermiston, but well done too to Craigroyston and all the other participants. No doubt they’ll be joined by a few more next year – don’t stop believin’!
For more information on the charity – www.frissonfoundation.org.uk
PC Helen Lyon will be at Muirhouse Community Shop tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11am -12 noon taking your concerns and queries. If you have the chance please feel free to pop in and speak to her tomorrow. #StrongerNorth
Inspirational Young Adult award for Craigroyston pupil
Josh Hardwick from Muirhouse has won the Inspirational Young Adult category at this year’s Edinburgh Evening News Local Hero Awards. Josh received his award at a star-studded gala event at the Assembly Rooms last night.
Craigroyston High School, where Josh is a pupil, also came runner-up in the Schools section.
Josh’s nomination read: “Josh is an active board member of Tenants and Residents In Muirhouse, North Edinburgh Young Peoples Forum and Volunteer at Muirhouse Community Shop.
“He engages with residents from all walks all life, assisting in the community shop on a weekly basis, Josh can often be seen helping with the Food bank distribution
“He is someone who understands the issues that residents face, he is very supportive to their every need when in the shop”
“As a board member of TRIM Josh brings an invaluable young person’s take on issues that we discuss, he is passionate about his community and will do anything possible to make the area better. He engages well with any groups / agencies that attend board meetings or visit the community shop”.
Congratulations, too, to Granton’s Terri Smith, who was runner-up in the Inspirational Young Adult category. Terri suffers from health problems but hasn’t let that stop her giving young people a voice through the Scottish Youth Parliament, where she represents Edinburgh Northern & Leith.
The Inspirational Young Adult was sponsored by the Omni. Centre manager David Edwards said: “We have chosen to support that category because it is important to recognise the amazing contribution young people are making to their communities”.
And so say all of us!
On a night of successes for North Edinburgh, Professor Mike Dixon, a world-leading expert in treating breast cancer, was named Health Champion.
Based at the Western General Hospital, Mike has worked as a specialist surgeon for more than two decades and leads a research team dedicated to understanding why the most common form of breast cancer becomes resistant to drugs, which helps give sufferers the best chance of survival possible. Professor Dixon said he was delighted but his joy was tinged with sadness because his mother, who recently passed away, could not be here to share in the night.
Congratulations also to David Marshall and Thomas Lynch, founders of Dads Rock. The charity supports dads to spend quality time with their children and runs local sessions at both The Prentice Centre and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. Dads Rock won the Community Champion award (above).
Pilrig Park School was School of the Year, with Craigroyston High School runner-up, and Dean Reilly was runner up in the Fundraiser or Volunteer of the Year for his fundraising efforts on behalf of Leith-based MS Therapy Centre.
The top Local Hero award went to the late Jak Trueman. The fifteen year old from Mid Calder dedicated his last weeks to fundraising as he battled a rare form of blood cancer. He raised over £50,000 for leukaemia and lymphoma research and kick-started the fundraising for Team Jak before his untimely death in February. A worthy winner, indeed.
Cook & Taste is tried and tested – and temptingly tasty too!
It was a full house at Muirhouse Community Shop for the launch of Pilton Community Health Project’s brand new, hot-off-the-press Cook and Taste recipe book yesterday.
Customers, gourmets and curious guests packed the place out and the icing on the cake was a selection of songs from North Edinburgh’s very own Timebank Temptations.
Special mention to the star of the day Kai Crozier (who is 4 and a half). Wee Kai (below) was the Chief Taster during the preparation of the recipe book and yesterday added the role of Master of Ceremonies to his list of duties, keeping order during the speeches!
The recipe book is packed with recipes brought by local people to the shop for PCHP staff to cook with them – they are tried and tested, and they’re delicious! Pick up a free copy from the community shop or Pilton Community Health Project on Boswall Parkway, or download it at http://pchp.org.uk/resources/cook-and-taste-recipe-book
Some images:
There are more images on our Facebook page too …
Craigroyston Primary School Art Exhibition 2015
Every year, the pupils at Craigroyston Primary amaze and surprise everyone with their fantastic array of art and this year is no exception (writes Helen Cameron). From patterns and plants to seas and sunshine, and everything in between, the pupils have done it again this year and put on a fabulous show!
For a wee change the venue this year is the North Edinburgh Arts Centre so anyone popping in for a coffee or meeting friends can wander round and marvel at all the pupils’ work. It will be on display for the next few weeks, is free of charge and everyone is welcome to go and view.
The children are hoping to reach a wider audience by using this venue, certainly it is easy for anyone in the area to drop in either on your own or even better bring a friend! Hopefully lots of you will manage along and spread the word about all the local talent!
Many thanks to the staff at the Centre for their help and support in mounting the exhibition and preparing advertising material.
Helen Cameron
NOTE:
The exhibition opened in style at North Edinburgh Arts last night with great musical performances by the school’s Glee Club (including a very impressive ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ – a cappella, too!) – and the talented new woodwind players.
See below for some opening night pictures – and there are lots more on our Facebook page
Do visit the exhibition – you won’t be disappointed! DP