posted by Pauline Stephen, Head of Schools & Learning, Schools & Learning

Please find attached details of current secondment opportunities that we have available for Teacher Fellows in The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling.

A key feature in the success of the Stirling Initial Teacher Education programme is the support that we receive from our partnership schools and Teacher Fellows. Teacher Fellows are teachers from schools in Scotland, normally seconded to work with our students for one day a week (it is also possible to directly employ teachers, who are on part time school contracts).  They work alongside University Tutors and play a significant role in the leadership of our programme.

Our experience of the Teacher Fellow scheme is that it is mutually beneficial to both schools and the university. The university and the students benefit from the experience and support of the seconded teachers.  Schools and teachers likewise benefit from the experience of supporting students and working with tutors, CPD opportunities, and the chance to attend national events that are not always open to classroom teachers.  In the current post-Donaldson climate, where partnership is increasingly important to us all, the Teacher Fellow scheme offers significant opportunities to develop creative and innovative responses to Curriculum for Excellence.

The University will reimburse the seconding School/Local Authority at an indicative rate of £198.19 (2017 rates under review) per day for the release of a non-promoted teacher and £218.19 (2017 rates under review) per day for a promoted teacher.

This opportunity is also open to part time teaching staff who will be reimbursed at the current University of Stirling grade 8 Lecturer rate.

Please feel free to get in touch should you wish to discuss further any of the attached details.

The link has further information relating to this opportunity.  job-spec

Dr. Sandra Eady Director of ITE,

University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA Scotland, Telephone: 01786 466274, Facsimile: 01786 466131, Email: sandra.eady@stir.ac.uk

posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools & Learning

Two Youth Music Initiative projects came together to perform at Scots Night on 2nd February at Hayshead. This evening was organised by the school and showcased other Scots performances from P3 pupils.  There was a great mix of poetry, dancing, music and the evening was washed down with some Irn Bru and Shortbread. 

The D2 Percussion pipe drumming pupils and Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group played The Rowan Tree and Scotland the Brave on drum pads and tenor drums accompanied by Arbroath Pipe Band pipers Scott Donald, Anders Swanson, Steven Duncan and drummer Blair Stephen who all attend Arbroath High School. Thanks to everyone who helped put this night on and a huge thank you to all the pupils who performed and had parents up jigging making it a successful evening.

Both the D2 Percussion Pipe Drumming and Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group aim to –

• Young people increase their awareness of music and culture across Scotland, the UK and the world
• Organisations in the music sector and beyond work together to strengthen the youth music sector for the benefit of young people
• Young people develop their music and music making skills

D2 Percussion Pipe Drumming at Hayshead – This is a 12 week (now extended to 27 weeks) project running on a weekly basis with inputs from D2 Percussion Joe Fleming, working with small groups of pupils, and their teachers and support staff.   Equipment is left on site for pupils to access.  This is an inclusive project that will introduce young children to music making they may otherwise not access.

Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group – A weekly after school group aimed at P4-7 at Hayshead. The group is run by Morag McKenzie from the Arbroath Pipe band where they have the opportunity to learn the Chanter and Drums (snare and tenor drums).  This is an inclusive project dedicated to furthering the great tradition of Scottish Piping and Drumming through education and demonstration and is committed to providing quality tuition in a safe, fun and stimulating environment in which children can learn and develop the necessary skills and love of traditional Scottish Piping and Drumming music.

posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer, Schools and Learning

The 2017 Scottish council elections are the first Scotland wide council elections in which 16 and 17 year olds can vote. You can help young people get #ReadyToVote by running a registration event at a school, college or youth centre (or encouraging your partners to do so) from 1 March 2017. A toolkit and resources are available to provide you and your partners with everything required to hold a successful registration event in March.

posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools & Learning

An opportunity for P3 aged children.

Please click on the following link for further information:-  angus-nycos-march-2017

posted by Christine Jackson, Schools and Learning Support Officer

Come and join us for some lively debate and creative conversation

Angus House, Training Rooms A/B/C

Thursday 23^rd February 2017, 4.00pm – 6.00pm

RSVP: Carol Lyon LyonC@angus.gov.uk  or Christine Jackson JacksonC2@angus.gov.uk

posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer 

Something exciting is happening on Thursday 9 March…

On Thursday 9 March 2017, schools around the world will celebrate International School Meals Day. This year’s theme is Food, Culture and Heritage.

Get involved – Children and young people (supported by their teachers or other adults)  are being encouraged to share ‘stories’ about their culture, heritage and associated food. This could be family food traditions, food that is loved (or not!) in their country or festivals, ceremonies and celebrations that take place.

Photographs, blogs, videos or vines, songs, poems, stories and recipes are all welcome and can be shared in a number of ways.  Start sending your ideas, stories and other pieces NOW! 

Download the flyer featuring tips and ideas

It is up to each individual country, school and classroom to take part in whatever way works best for them. For details on how to connect with teachers and classrooms around the world visit global school/education platforms like Skype in the classroom or British Councils Schools Online.

Follow us on Twitter @IntSchoolMeals as well as with the hashtag #ISMD2017. And show your school’s support by signing up to the ISMD social media Thunderclap!

International School Meals Day (ISMD) is a unique campaign with the aim of raising awareness of good nutrition for all children regardless of their circumstances, and is managed by Children in Scotland.