posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer, Schools and Learning
Please click on the link below to view how you can join in the Great British Beach Clean
http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean
posted by Andy Garnett, Active Schools Lead Coordinator, Schools and Learning
Road Safety Magic have been with various schools undertaking the Bikeability scheme in Scotland. They provide a road safety magic show throughout the U.K. which includes walking and cycling safely to school. The input also includes promotion of walking to school. The session is an interesting and informative experience targeted at lower end primary school pupils, with all attending receiving a copy of the certificate pictured below.
For full details visit www.roadsafetymagic.com
posted by Elaine Hughes, Service Manger, Performance
We are currently working to develop our school investment strategy, considering our teaching and learning environments. The strategy will cover a period of up to 30 years broken down over the next 3 – 5 years, 10 years and 25 – 30 years. This is an ambitious and exciting project and we are keen to get input from as many people as possible.
The links below lead to articles in Psychology Today which assert that the state, and design of our schools can impair the performance of learners.
I’d love to know what you think about the attached blog entries and how you think it relates to us in Angus.
posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools and Learning
Please click on the link below to view more information.
posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools & Learning
We hope all the children have enjoyed their summer holidays and are looking forward to going to primary 1(and its okay to feel a little nervous inside). Louise (Jo) + Amy (Great Granny and Jasper)
Amy Hall Gibson + Louise Kirby delivered Little Rabbit to Grange, Ferryden, Seaview, Friockheim, Letham, Warddykes, Northmuir school nurseries and Rompers private nursery in May/June 2016.
“Very interactive and children were very engaged. The use of the puppets and some humour also kept their attention. It was an excellent way to start a discussion with the children about hat they think school will be like and allay any fears that they might have. The use of props, particularly the large story book, enabled the children to follow the story in a simple way. Thank you very much” Kathy Wiseman, Warddykes Nursery
“The Little Rabbit workshop was excellent; the children had a super experience learning about the feelings which can be associated with going to school. The performers had a lovely rapport with the group and lots of valuable learning took place.”
Some nurseries used the model of inviting other children from other settings and parents and children to experience the interactive performance together with all the pupils going to P1.
Little Rabbit is a charming theatre performance for pre-school children preparing to move into primary one. The performance is an engaging, interactive and enjoyable, experience that supports children’s exploration in the themes around transition. The use of creative techniques encourage pre-schoolers to voice their concerns about starting primary one in addition to supporting the Little Rabbit who is unsure about starting school. The performance concludes with a hands on workshop using drama and art techniques to further explore transition from nursery to primary one.
If you would like to note interest in this workshop for next year please contact KirbyL@angus.gov.uk
posted by Pauline Stephen, Head of Schools and Learning
For the Attention of Headteachers, Faculty Heads and All Teachers:
We are aware that creativity is high on the agenda and is part of many School Improvement Plans for the upcoming academic year. For the first time creativity is embedded in HGIOS 4 quality indicators. We hope that this initiative is an easy way to progress creative learning in your school community with maximum impact, at the same time creating a positive and inclusive experience for pupils.
Invitation to All Schools:
We invite all schools in Scotland to be a part of our Dare to Dream campaign 2016. The campaign is an outreach initiative from this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival and will run from September to November.
“Discover the stories of the past and dream the stories of the future. What are the stories of your local place? What stories would you tell to the world today, from the future of your dreams? Everything created must first be imagined: explore the possible and Dare to Dream!”
By taking part, your school will be contributing to a Scotland-wide initiative inviting and creating space for children to imagine their personal and collective futures, which in turn will build confidence to begin to make these aspirations and ambitions a reality.
The principles of creative learning, active learning and inclusion are embedded in this project. Through dreaming, the liberating power of the imagination is open to everyone – neither language nor disability are barriers to participation. The campaign is relevant to the entire school and to every subject area. Activities will also help meet outcomes in both Literacy and Health and Wellbeing.
In an ever-changing world, we believe that it is vital that children are educated about their role and the value they have in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future. By setting learning in the context of your local school and focusing on issues relevant to your pupils, our #DareToDream campaign provides a great opportunity for you to encourage children to think about their right to participate, empowering and enabling them to become active citizens, both locally and globally. We provide the context for learning and suggest tasks and activities, but there is no limit on where this engaging topic could be taken in the classroom.
How to Take Part:
We have made it as simple as possible for teachers to take part, with the options for engaging in more depth should the individual teacher so wish. In a secondary school context, we have suggested a simple activity that could take place in registration class.
Our info for teachers can be found on our website under the tab ‘For Teachers.’ This includes a schools’ toolkit and information about how to book a storyteller if you wish.
We have also worked in partnership with heritage organisations, mental health organisations, artists and storytellers to create simple resources for you to use. All additional learning resources will be available on our website when we launch our campaign to the public, the week beginning *Monday 22nd Aug.* Resources will also be available on GLOW.
If you are interested, please register your name, contact, school and postcode by clicking the link below. We will send you an update with links to all resources and materials.
Showcase your school online:
We will run a #DareToDream social media campaign for the duration of the main International Festival, from the 21st – 31st November. During this period we will make visible all contributions via our online platform. This is an opportunity to showcase your own school’s contribution with the wider community should you so wish in the form of a blog, video, photographs or otherwise.
As part of our social media campaign, we will have a special #DareToDream Day on Thursday 28th October. On this day, we will encourage every creative citizen in Scotland to share a dream for the future on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the campaign hashtag. Our aim is to make visible Scotland’s collective imagination for all to see!
www.daretodream.scot
#DareToDream
#CuirBrighRiBruadar
#DaurTaeDream
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We hope you’ll join us and Dare to Dream!
Mairi McFadyen
mairi@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
National Storytelling Co-ordinator | TRACS
Direct Dial: 0131 652 3272 Reception: 0131 556 9579
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR
