from Margo Williamson, Strategic Director

Last year was a challenging year. Thank you for your effort, energy, resilience and commitment.

As we start this new year with greater clarity, a greater determination to succeed and a renewed commitment to provide services, with and for, our children & young people, I ask of you one thing: help us collectively to raise the ambitions of our young people so they can compete in a global economy.

March 2016 will see the transition from the People Directorate to the Children & Learning Directorate. Adult and Older People’s Services will become part of a new Integrated Joint Body for Health& Social Care. This will be led by Vicky Irons, Angus’ Chief Integrated Officer. Children’s Social Work; Education and Criminal Justice Services remain under my leadership. In preparation for the reshaped directorate we have been working on our statement of ambition, values and behaviours.

Early in 2016, this will be finalised around the four points of a compass:

• North – our commitment to the young people of Angus
• South – our commitment to improve
• West – management’s commitment to our staff
• East – expectations of all our staff in relation to our values and behaviours

Children & Learning Committee report 435/15 sets these out in more detail.

For me, the statement of ambition sets out our clear purpose. It outlines our values and expected behaviours and respects the qualities of our multidisciplinary team. It invites us to work across what has been seen as distinct boundaries, whether departments or disciplines. It will be through such levels of inter-working, that new insights and opportunities will open and see increased benefits for our children and young people.

2016 brings a further opportunity to embed Getting it Right for Every Child into all our practice. Our statement of ambition will guide our approaches and provide our narrative for improvement. As such, I look forward to another successful year despite a drive for ever- faster change, increased expectations and advancements of new technologies and the current adverse economic climate.

We are a strong workforce who have demonstrated an ability to adapt and succeed because of our dedication to the citizens of Angus. As we reshape into new teams around Adults & Older People and Children & Learning, there is every reason to believe we will remain resilient and effective.

I wish all members of a staff a healthy and happy 2016, the year in which we all thrive.

Posted by Isabelle Gall, Principal Teacher Curriculum, Modern Languages, Carnoustie High School

On Monday 9 November 2015 a group of 16 Spanish pupils from Santander came for the day to Carnoustie High School.

After an introductory ice breaker session, the pupils spent the day involved in sports and academic activities both in Spanish and English with the Nat 5 Spanish Carnoustie pupils.

In the evening they all took part in a “wee Scottish soirée” at the Station Hotel, where the Spanish folks were introduced to Scottish traditional music, Scottish poetry, highland dancing and a ceilidh.

“It was great fun socialising and dancing with them. The Spanish people were really nice.”

“I really enjoyed meeting the Salesianos, learning about their school and making friends with them.”

“I was a bit apprehensive at first but then I really began to enjoy the day and the experience.”

“The experience will be with me forever as I made new friends.  It was also really educational and helped with our speaking and listening.”

On Tuesday 10 November the 21 Carnoustie pupils studying Spanish Higher or Advanced Higher led their visitors on a tour of St Andrews which they had prepared in Spanish. The visit concluded with everyone enjoying a fish and chip meal at the Tailend Restaurant.

In June 2016 a group of Carnoustie pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a Spanish immersion visit to Santander, where they will meet their new friends again. In September, several S6 pupils from Carnoustie High and from Webster’s High School will undertake a structured work experience programme in the same region of Spain, where they will be expected to use their Spanish skills at an advanced level.

Posted by Jennifer Clark, Teacher of English, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator,  Forfar Academy

Life changing. Fulfilling. Rewarding. Unforgettable. Some of the many words that describe our recent expedition to Nepal.

 We arrived in a bustling, diverse and fascinating Kathmandu for a jam packed two week itinerary. We visited projects helping Nepalese children including the Disabled New Life Centre, the British School and Baraha Secondary School in Ghandruk. Baraha has been destroyed by the earthquake and since returning we are trying to set up links and raise funds to help them rebuild.

The Disabled New Life Centre was one of the highlights of the trip. We enjoyed talking with the children and learning about their interests. We loved joining in their music lesson and seeing how the children got involved in these lessons.”

 We also went on a challenging five day trek in the Annapurna Region surrounded by Himalayan Mountains such as Fishtail and Annapurna South.

 The trek was a challenging experience and allowed us an opportunity that might never be repeated. We stumbled across a school completely destroyed in the earthquake. Pupils are now taught in bamboo structures with corrugated iron roofs. Our aim now is to set up a link with the Baraha School and fundraise to help them rebuild.

 We visited Chitwan National Park learning about the local way of life, enjoyed on an oxen ride, trekked through the jungle, and washed the elephants. We somehow managed to find time to relax and sightsee in Kathmandu, Pkhara and Bhaktapur, a World Heritage site, terribly affected by the earthquake.

Our Nepal expedition was enjoyable and challenging in many different ways. From the physical challenge of the trek, to witnessing the poverty and difficulties Nepali people face every day. It opened our eyes and made us extremely thankful for what we have back home in Scotland. We plan to continue our links with Nepal and help Baraha School to rebuild. We hope that other pupils will have the opportunity to enjoy the experience that we have had.

We are all asking “When can we go back?”

 Mhari Ferrier, Lara Mertes and Jude Murray

posted by Morna Duncan, Administrative Assistant, Schools & Learning

Some of our fabulous, tacky, sparkly seasonal knitwear worn today by People staff members who managed to raise the sum of £114.22.

Thank you to all who participated and donated to the 3 worthy charities, Save the Children, Make a Wish UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

posted by Amy Gibson, YMI Coordinator & Creative Learning Facilitator

Drake Music Scotland’s Christmas Performance funded through Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative

Photo Courtesy of Drake Music Scotland

Drake Music Scotland – the nation’s leading charity creating opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to learn, compose and perform music independently have been funded through our Youth Music Initiative to work with pupils from Arbroath High, Forfar Academy, Ladyloan Primary and Langlands Primary.

Secondary pupils worked with Angus Percussion Ensemble and performed a truly inspiration performance of Mambo which is also part of the BBC Ten Pieces  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1IHAtaffS0&feature=youtu.be

Please see this clip to catch a glimpse of what the primary pupils have been up to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRWHpUNEoGw&feature=youtu.be

posted by Eileen Jackson, Early Years Collaborative Programme Manager

Plans are now underway for Tam Baillie,  Children & Young People’s Commissioner Scotland visit to Angus on Thursday 14 January. 

This visit has been arranged in the context of the Early Years Collaborative and will include a tour of a range of good practice happening across Angus. 

More information to follow