MESS by Tenterhooks visited children at Oaklands School on Monday as part of the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.
MESS at Oaklands!
Tag: Oaklands School
Theatre in Schools Scotland tours MESS by Tenterhooks to ASN schools
Produced by Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland
Theatre in Schools Scotland brings MESS by Tenterhooks to ASN schools in Scotland as part of its touring schools programme of live dance and theatre productions
MESS is visiting ASN schools in Edinburgh, Livingston, Dundee, Tain, Dingwall, Inverness and Aberdeen in September and October 2023 with a first performance at Oaklands School in North Edinburgh on Monday (25 September 2023).
Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS), the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s successful schools touring project is, for the first time, touring a show exclusively to ASN schools in Scotland, as part of its new 23/24 schools programme.
TiSS is bringing the playful, bold show, MESS by Scottish company Tenterhooks, to schools for young people with complex additional support needs in September and October 2023. The show will be touring to ASN schools in Edinburgh, Livingston, Dundee, Tain, Dingwall, Inverness and Aberdeen. Following the tour to schools as part of TiSS, Tenterhooks will bring MESS to CHAS children’s hospices Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.
Created by Tenterhooks and produced by Scottish Theatre Producers, MESS is a bold, playful and emotionally engaging theatre performance made especially for young audiences (age 5-18) with complex additional support needs. In the performance, an ordinary day in the life of a team of caretakers turns unpredictable when, for the first time ever, they attempt to clean a space which has people in it. MESS features comedy, surprise, celebration and mild peril!
Tenterhooks is led by Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, and Fergus Dunnet, two theatre clowns and one visual artist putting audiences at the heart of their bold and playful performances. MESS was co-devised by the cast and creative team from an original idea by Ben Winger.
The MESS company includes performers/devisers: Ben Winger, Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson, Kerry Cleland, Ronan McMahon, Carmen Pieraccini and Lucy McGreal.
A number of the MESS ensemble performers work together as Clowndoctors (Hearts & Minds) and their therapeutic clowning practice, which includes spontaneity, complicity and playfulness has informed the development of the performance.
Julian Almeida, Theatre in Schools Scotland Project Manager says: “We’re delighted to be touring our first ever show made especially for young people with complex additional learning needs, which will exclusively visit ASN schools.
“The opportunity for children to experience and participate in performances in their own school environment is invaluable, and TiSS is committed to creating and developing new relationships with schools and teachers throughout Scotland.”
Theatre in Schools Scotland, produced by Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland brings inspiring live theatre and dance productions, made specially for children and young people, into schools and nurseries.
The new TiSS programme also sees the welcome return of Cloud Man by Constellation Points/Ailie Cohen & Lewis Hetherington which had its original schools tour curtailed due to Covid-19 in 2020; and an extended second tour of Going for Gold: Me and Linford Christie by Victoria Beesley/Catherine Wheels Theatre Company which was first off the TiSS blocks to great acclaim in 2022.
TiSS is excited to be offering younger primary school pupils a brand new dance theatre performance, The Last Forecast, from Catherine Wheels Theatre Company/Bridie Gane.
The TiSS programme is available for schools to book anywhere in Scotland, offering performances in primary schools for all ages. TiSS continues to offer subsidised bookings to schools and create partnerships with local support organisations, ensuring live performances reach schools not only in cities and towns but in remote and rural communities.
RHS pupil planters brighten up their local communities
PUPILS from The Royal High School have created planters, using materials donated from Cala Homes (East), to brighten up their local community this summer.
The project saw 30 S2 Craft, Design and Technology (CDT) pupils working in groups to create 12 planters. Six of the planters have been housed at Cala’s Cammo Meadows development in Edinburgh. The remaining six have been donated to nearby community groups, including the Corstorphine Dementia Project and Oaklands School, to help brighten up the local area.
Cala Homes (East) initiated the project as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the communities in which it builds, donating both building materials and tools to The Royal High School.
The housing developer contributed more than 108 metres of specially treated timber as well as panel saws, staple guns, small electric chop saws, glue and screws. All the tools and materials requested by the school as part of the project were used under teacher supervision.
Mr Davy Allan, CDT teacher at The Royal High School, who oversaw the design and running of the project, said: “This project has been hugely beneficial for the pupils who have acquired new practical skills during the course of building these planters.
“Pupils were taught how to measure and mark accurately, how to cut complex angles safely and how to apply appropriate finishes to ensure materials are weather resistant.
“Due to the scale of the final product, it also gave pupils an opportunity to work collaboratively to physically cut, measure and move the units around the workshop. They also had to work as a team to get the planters assembled correctly. This experience will help these young pupils understand how these practical skills are implemented in the real world.”
Philip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director from Cala Homes (East) said: “We are delighted to work with The Royal High School on this planter project.
“Not only does the project provide positive learning outcomes for the pupils, it has resulted in 12 stunning planters which have been placed at key locations across Northwest Edinburgh for the local community to enjoy.”
Once assembled, Cala Homes (East) worked with its landscapers Land Technology to fill the planters with a range of eye-catching flowers and plants. The mixture of hardy evergreen and bright coloured perennials will ensure longevity, while providing food and shelter for insects.
The Cammo Meadows development features a stunning selection of one-,two- and three-bedroom apartments priced from £220,000, two- and three-bedroom Capital homes from £335,000 as well as detached homes from £755,000, all set within the desirable suburb of Cammo.
To learn more about Cammo Meadows, or to request a viewing, call 01316 083 081 or visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows
To learn more about the portfolio of properties developed by Cala Homes (East), visit www.cala.co.uk/east-of-scotland/
Pupil Christmas cards bring festive cheer to Princes Street
A series of Christmas card designs by Edinburgh school pupils are brightening up Princes Street this festive season by being displayed on all the street’s digital bus shelter screens.
They were designed by Jack Thomson (Oaklands School), Halle Jacobs (Sighthill Primary School), and Joshua O’Brien (Woodlands School).
The Christmas card competition is an annual event and for the fourth year JCDecaux offered the added incentive of 11 lucky pupils having their designs shown on their digital bus shelter screens in Princes Street.
Cllr Perry said: “It was really difficult picking the winning designs for the bus shelters as the quality of the entries once again was really high. I’m delighted we’ve got three winners for our Christmas cards with Jack, Halle and Joshua’s festive designs.”
Cllr Dickie added: “It was great to see how excited the pupils were this morning when their cards came up on the digital bus shelters. All the entries deserve special mention and thanks must go to JCDecaux for having the designs displayed until Christmas Day.”
Danielle Jeffrey, Partnership Manager at JCDecaux said, “For the fourth year, JCDecaux and the City of Edinburgh council have worked together to display some of the fantastic Christmas cards on the digital screens in Princes Street. We’re always delighted to be part of this project that showcases the beautiful artwork created by talented pupils at local schools.”
The designs will be displayed throughout December until Christmas Day on all the digital screens on Princes Street.
MOVE award for Oaklands
Oaklands School received the prestigious MOVE quality mark on Monday (17 December). The presentation was made by Paralympic swimmer Jim ‘The Swim’ Anderson OBE (pictured above), who unveiled a flag to mark the event.
Nigel Carter, CEO of The MOVE Partnership was extremely impressed with the results of the assessment of Oaklands School and how it has developed and integrated the MOVE programme as well as the impact it has had on the pupils. He said “Oaklands School showed the best evidence of good practice I have ever seen”.
Councillor Paul Godzik, Education, Children and Families Convener said, “This really is an outstanding achievement for Oaklands and I would to congratulate everyone involved for this and all the hard work put in by pupils, staff and parents. To be the first in Edinburgh to receive this award is a fantastic achievement I and hope other schools will look to follow in their foot steps.”
The assessment took place on the 18 September last, to assess the implementation and quality of the MOVE programme in the school. It is an inclusive award that recognises good practice and progress in the MOVE principles. Consequently, Oaklands was awarded the MOVE Quality Mark and invited to become a MOVE Regional Centre of Excellence, the 18th in Europe and 3rd in Scotland.
Nigel Carter, CEO of The MOVE Partnership said, “When we visited here to assess the school in September I was really impressed; Oaklands School showed the best evidence of good practice I have ever seen. We have awarded them the quality mark to recognise this and I would like to commend them for their efforts as we look forward to working together further in the future.”
Jim Anderson, former paralympian swimmer was on hand to help with the unveiling of the MOVE flag today and spent some time speaking with pupils and staff after the event.
MOVE (Movement for Learning and Life) helps children who have complex disabilities to:
- Acquire and maintain increased independence in sitting, standing, walking and transferring,
- Learn, gain and maintain more mobility through transference of skills and
- Experience better health, enhanced personal dignity, improved communication skills and access to education.
Increased abilities in sitting, standing and walking decrease the burden of care for families and care providers. These increased abilities also bring new opportunities for greater participation and involvement in family life and for inclusion into the wider community.
MOVE is a programme shown to improve functional mobility skills and empower children and adults who have complex physical and learning disabilities to better direct their own lives. The MOVE Programme uses a family/person centred approach to develop functional mobility, based on current theory and research in education, therapy, biomechanics and motor science.
Oaklands Head Teacher Maureen Mathieson said: “This is a very special day for Oaklands and we are all absolutely delighted to receive the MOVE quality mark.”
Community planters wanted!
The Centipede needs you!
Muirhouse Centipede project is planning a community bulb planting weekend on 9 and 10 November and they could do with a hand – or preferably a lot of hands! The group has no less than 9000 spring bulbs to plant on Muirhouse Avenue!
In partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Centre and the City of Edinburgh Council, the Centipede Project will be holding two ‘drop-in’ (that’s people and bulbs!) sessions on Friday 9 November from 1 – 3pm and again on Saturday 10 November from 10am – 2pm.
Working with local artist Natalie Taylor, come along and help plant some of the 9,000 bulbs including snow drops and dwarf narcissi, that will emerge as a bulb ‘painting’ in the spring!
Hot drinks and biscuits will be available for everyone who joins in, and groups from Craigroyston Primary School, Oaklands School and Muirhouse Millennium Centre have already signed up to kick off the project on 9 November.
Help make Muirhouse Avenue look stunning in springtime!
For further information call North Edinburgh Arts on 315 2151 or visit www.northedinburgharts.co.uk
Scottish Opera comes to Oaklands
Come with us to a magical, night-time world – take a train ride through the jungle and meet a friendly lion who sleeps under the stars …
Scottish Opera came to Oaklands yesterday – in their pyjamas! The singers were performing SensoryO, a brand new interactive performance rich in sound, rhythm and music – and just ideal for the Oaklands children.
SensoryO’s warm and inviting set introduces young people to live music in a relaxed and intimate environment. The performance features a mix of live and recorded vocal music with percussive sounds, and uses smells, textures and actions along with striking visuals to inspire the imagination and bring the adventure to life.
The performances were hugely enjoyed by Oaklands children, carers and staff, and the SensoryO tour ’s now moved on. As Scottish Opera celebrates it’s 50th birthday this year, here’s hoping that the talented company performs to many more appreciative and enthusiastic audiences over the coming months.
Hello, goodbye!
Crewe Toll’s cycling fire-fighters called in on a flying visit to Oaklands School this afternoon. The guys from White Watch are on the homeward leg of their Land’s End to John o’ Groats charity cycle challenge, and they stopped off at the Ferry Road school to present a cheque for £8000.
The cyclists were welcomed by Oaklands staff and pupils and colleagues from Crewe Toll also dropped in to Oaklands to cheer their mates on.
Oaklands Head Teacher Maureen Mathieson said: “This makes a huge difference and we are so grateful to the Crewe Toll team for making this tremendous effort for us. We’d also like to thank everyone who sponsored the fire-fighters. The money raised enables us to buy specially built cycles for the Oaklands children to enjoy. It’s terrific!”
The team are well on schedule to complete North Quest, their thousand mile challenge – averaging a hundred miles a day – and there was just time to present the cheque, enjoy a cuppa and get back in the saddle for the next stage.
Despite the aches, pains, chafing and sprains the Crewe Toll lads expect to complete their epic ride in three days time, and have set their sights on making another target – enjoying a pint in Inverness before closing time on Saturday! Well done, lads – you deserve it!
Local firefighters get on their bikes for Oaklands
A team of local firefighters will set out to cycle the length of the country to raise funds for Oaklands School this week. The officers from Crewe Toll’s White Watch plan to pedal from Lands End to John o’ Groats – a distance of 845 miles – over nine gruelling days.
The firefighters hope their efforts will raise enough sponsorship money to purchase at least one specialised Petra Running Bike, which give children a totally new experience of freedom when they use them, for the school.
David Dourley, who was White Watch commander, explained: “We have a team of ten cyclists, plus two support drivers who are retired colleagues, and we set off down south on Thursday. We decided to support Oaklands because we have a very good working relationship with the school – being on Ferry Road it’s very close to the Fire station and we’re regular visitors. Some of the children and young people at Oaklands have severe and complex additional support needs and we know the staff do a really fantastic job here. When we heard Oaklands needed support to raise money for these amazing bikes we were delighted to offer our services. I hope we’re all still feeling the same way after the trip!’
Colleague Ali McKay added: ‘We’ve got all levels of experience in the team – some guys cycle regularly, while one of our blokes only bought a bike a couple of weeks ago! We’ve been training, but none of us have done anything like this before – eight to ten hours per day for nine days – so it will be a real challenge. It’s for a great cause though and we’re really looking forward to it – honestly!’
Good luck, White Watch. We’ll let you know how the guys get on.