posted by Alita Spink, Support Officer, Schools and Learning
New RHET website
https://www.rhet.org.uk/ We are pleased to let you know that RHET now have a new website which should make it easier for you to find information and book sessions.
posted by Alita Spink, Support Officer, Schools and Learning
Who can help Food Education in Scotland?
What is this?
Grey Area What is this: This resource lists a range of organisations who can support your food education projects.
Who is this for?
Grey Area Who is this for: This resource supports practitioners from all sectors and targets all levels within Curriculum for Excellence.
posted by Alita Spink, Support Officer, Schools an Learning
When we hosted the Launchpad events with Steven Kidd from UNICEF last year, we received lots of feedback stating that SMT members and teachers would really value the opportunity to come together to hear about the latest resources/games/activities and to find out what other schools have been doing in terms of Global Citizenship/Learning for Sustainability. Well, in a direct response to your wishes, we have ensured that the opportunity has arrived!
We are inviting all those who have engaged with us in myriad ways over the last 3 years to come to the One World Centre, 189 Princes Street, Dundee, DD4 6DQ on Wednesday 22nd February, 2017 from 4-5.15 p.m. Just click on the Eventbrite link here and sign up today for your free tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/global-citizenship-networking-tickets-31510065454
At our previous events, SMT members and teachers have said:
“I found it inspiring!”
“Look forward to filtering it through our school.”
“It was a highly informative and enjoyable CLPL. I plan to make LfS a priority in our next School Improvement Plan.”
“We shall encourage our pupils to act!”
We know, from our travels around Scotland, that there is some excellent practice global citizenship education in our schools at the present time so do come along and share and hear he latest news.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
posted by Alita Spink, Support Officer, Schools and Learning
Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. This includes: Early Years and Childcare, Schools and Teaching, Child protection and Looked After Children, Skills
Round-table discussion
The Committee plans to host a round-table discussion on Personal and Social Education (PSE) on Wednesday 22 February 2017. The Committee wants to understand what the main issues are in relation to the content and delivery of PSE. This is likely to be a wide-ranging session and will help the Committee to decide what further work it may do on this topic.
Your views
The Committee is keen to hear the views of young people, teachers, parents and carers on PSE.
The Committee is looking for your views on this question:
What should personal and social education sessions be about?
There are several ways you can contribute to the Committee’s work on PSE:
However you want to respond, please provide your views to the Committee by Monday 13 February 2017.
If you have any questions please contact the Committee clerks on 0131 348 5204.
Treatment of emails and submissions
As normal, the Committee will publish any emails or other submissions on this work. If you would like your email to be published anonymously, please make that clear in your email.
The Scottish Parliament’s policy on written evidence can be found here: http://www.parliament.scot/help/31037.aspx
posted by Robyn Wade, Teacher of Art, Arbroath High School
A RECYCLED FASHION COMPETITION
Junk Kouture is a national contest which encourages young, secondary school designers to create striking couture designs and impressive works of wearable art from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin.
Arbroath High School has two entries, designed by S3 pupils, which have been successful in getting through to the grand final fashion show in Glasgow on Thursday 9th February.
On the run up to the final, the public can cast their votes on the Junk Kouture Facebook page. You can vote for more than one design at a time and cast a new vote every 24 hours! Please support Arbroath High’s two finalist teams by casting your vote today!
Voting opens on Monday 30th January and closes at midnight on Friday 3rd February.
“No Rubbish in Paradise”, designed by (left to right), Milly Cresswell, Hayley Morris & Abbie Sangster.
“Power of the Poppy”, designed by Megan Watson & Catherine Sim;
modelled by Megan Watson. (Catherine posing with the design
and Megan wearing the dress)
posted by Alita Spink, Support Officer, Schools and Learning
Get Outdoors!
Raising attainment through outdoor learning and pay
January 2017
Introduction / Numeracy Resources / Ideas for Topics / Diary Dates / Funding
Dear All
Happy New Year everyone – I hope you managed to get a good break. It seems as though the pre-Christmas quieter period didn’t actually happen for anyone this year and we all seem to be plunged straight back into a hectic new term with very little let up. 
We will be launching our new small grants scheme for schools very soon; more details are in the funding section of this newsletter but please also keep an eye on our website and social media.
I will be moving on from LTL to pastures new in May this year, it has been a fantastic five years and I will miss the team and our incredible partners enormously. We will be recruiting for my replacement over the next few weeks so, again, watch out for the advert on our website and in the press.
Best wishes
Juno Hollyhock
executive director
Lesson Ideas – Numeracy:
In this newsletter we are focusing on numeracy learning resources – both free on line and some more in more specialized books:
Taking learning outdoors creates context and engages bodies as well as brains. It motivates many pupils who may find learning maths constantly inside, at a desk, a challenge. There are many simple ideas for maths outdoors. The key is choosing the ones where the school grounds or local community can offer a deeper learning experience.
Early years numeracy ideas
Primary numeracy ideas
Comparing the historical “Scottish Statistical Accounts” for your area with a survey the children undertake is a wonderful learning opportunity, with numeracy, history and geography interwoven. Read how one school used them here
Secondary numeracy school
Useful Books
Juliet over at Creative Star Learning is about to publish her new Messy Maths – a Playful Outdoor Approach. You can pre-order here.
Malke Rosenfeld and Heineman have just published ‘Math in your feet’. You can tell by the title this is an American book, however the approach and activities could see your class moving their way to better maths. You can order here
50 Maths Ideas Outdoors – an early years and lower primary focused book, useful as a complement to your own ideas. You can order here
Ideas for Topics:
FREE outdoor learning resource library. Don’t forget that you can now access our huge range of outdoor lesson ideas and resources for free using our simple search facility here.
Archeological Outdoor Learning
New from Forestry Commission Scotland – ideal if you are planning a visit to an ancient or archaeological site – Outdoor Archaeological Learning This resource also fits in with the 2017 Year of Archaeology – more at Dig It 2017
Scottish Place Names
Education Scotland has a great resource for learning about Place Names in Scotland – you can visit their pages here
Scottish Rainforest
Plantlife Scotland’s Celtic Rainforest Project has excellent resources pre-planned, as well as multiple sites for a field trip. You can find out more and visit your own rainforest here
Follow an Everest Expedition
Some field trips are a step too far – however this year you can follow an Everest Expedition live on Skype from your classroom – click here to learn more
Scottish Finest Woodlands Awards:
This year the awards return, and they are looking for learning projects based around woodlands and their benefits to us as a society. There is a £500 prize, and you can find out more here
Diary Dates:
February
you only have a couple of weeks to get involved in the Big School Birdwatch. Also in February is John Muir Award Introduction Training in Pitlochry on the 17th February – book here
March
A one day event ‘Taking Citizen Science Outdoors to support your Teaching and Learning’, 16th March at Battleby, Perth – book here
John Muir Award Leader Training – A two-day residential course that gives a thorough introduction to the John Muir Award. 11-12 March, Wiston Lodge, South Lanarkshire – book here
May
This is a busy month, with International School Grounds Month and Empty Classroom Day on the 18th May and the annual Walk to School Week.
September –The International School Grounds Alliance Conference in Berlin is of particular interest to Landscape Architects, artists, other designers or anyone interested in developing school grounds for natural play.
Funding:
Local School Nature Grants Scheme This is our new grant scheme to provide an assortment of nature equipment and training’ up to the value of £1000. The application process is quick and straight forward. The programme launches in late January 2017 and will be go live on our website here. The project is funded by Postcode Local Trust, which receives funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. All schools in England, Scotland and Wales are welcome to apply.
Tesco Bags of Help continues to fund many school and nursery projects across Scotland. You can apply here, however it is worth looking at the map of projects and seeing what has been successful in Scotland.
Greggs Community Foundation – Environmental Grant Offers grants to improve the physical environment to improve peoples lives – and schools are encouraged to apply.
Outdoor and Woodland Learning Scotland – Have supported schools in many ways over the years. As an organisation, they can help like-minded educators network and train together, as well provide some small grant assistance to those taking part. You can read more about OWL here and apply here
Finally, Juliet at Creative Star Learning has updated her funding list, and that is worth a good look through here
