All posts by Ms Higgins

Free CPD Event-Secondary Teachers!

February 28, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Developing global citizens through sciences, social studies and technologies

This FREE CPD event provides an exciting opportunity for secondary school practitioners to discover how cradle to cradle technologies and a circular economy can be used as a rich and stimulating context for interdisciplinary learning relating to sustainable development education and global citizenship within Curriculum for Excellence.

The Scottish Government is committed to a low-carbon and zero-waste economy, and the development of enterprise, creativity, STEM (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Maths) and higher order thinking skills in young people are essential if we are to realise these ambitious plans for the future.

Friday 30th March 9:30am-3:30pm

Menzies Hotel, Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ

Download-CPD-event-flyer-and-programme1

Creative Learning, Creativity, Opportunities

Earth Hour 8:30pm March 31st 2012

February 28, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.

Find out more and why you should get involved. YouTube video

Great context for creative learning!

Curriculum for Excellence, Events, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Fairtrade Fortnight

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Begins today, 27 February…be inspired to create exciting learning experiences using this context!

It’s going to be a busy and exciting time for Fair Trade in Scotland with Fair Trade visitors from Uganda, Nicaragua, Ghana, Palestine, India, Malawi and Kenya. Here are details of Fife events;

Saturday 10 March: 2.30pm to 5pm: Talk followed by olive oil tasting, St Andrews University

Palestinian olive oil producers, Abu Kamal and Manal Abdallah will speak about how fair trade has made a difference to their lives. This will then be followed by an olive oil tasting. Venue: University of St Andrews, Venue 2, Students Union, St Mary’s Place, KY16 9UZ

Saturday 10 March: 5pm to 6pm: Meet Fairtrade producers, Cupar

An exciting opportunity to meet Palestinian Fairtrade olive oil producers, Abu Kamal and Manal Abdallah, and discuss their work. Venue: St Columba’s Church Hall, Ashlar Lane/West Port, Cupar, KY15 4AN

Art and Design, Creative Learning, Creative practitioners, Creativity, Dance, Drama, Expressive Arts, Music, Opportunities

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Short Courses is the access to excellence programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland that runs performing and production arts classes and courses for children, young people, adults and arts professionals.

Within these web pages you will find all you need to know about the Weekly Classes, Specialist Study, Summer Schools and Professional Development programmes that we run throughout the year.

There are three unique things about taking part in Short Courses at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland:

– experienced tutors
– professional rehearsal spaces and venues
– excellent learning and teaching

We provide learning and training opportunities in the same five disciplines as our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees: dance, drama, music, production and screen.

The ethos of our work is built upon the belief that the arts can contribute to the development of the whole person. We value inter-disciplinary working, use traditional and contemporary practices to inform our teaching, and support the principle of access to excellence for all.

For the majority of our courses we have an open access policy. We welcome learners at all levels of experience and are committed to reducing barriers to participation in the arts.

At the Royal Conservatoire we value diversity and strive to create opportunities for people to grow and develop through the performing and production arts regardless of background, age, ability or culture.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Short Course programme. If you would like to speak to a member of our team you can contact us on 0141 270 8213 /shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Competition, Primary schools, Secondary schools

iCompose 2012 competition!

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

iCompose is a national composition competition which invites adults, pupils and teachers to create a piece of original music inspired by works in the National Galleries of Scotland Online Collection

iCompose 2012
Be inspired by works of art and write a piece of music for Scottish Chamber Orchestra musicians.

Visit iCompose.org for:

Teacher Resource Packs
Discussion ideas for schools
Notation tips
Instrument guides written by members of the SCO
Prizes information
Rules and Regs

and much more…

Closing Date: Friday 30th March 2012

There are many fabulous prizes on offer, including some top of the range music equipment donated by Roland. The winning compositions will be professionally recorded and performed by SCO musicians and Linn Records.

Every school taking part in the iCompose competition will receive a 25% discount voucher (off RRP) for Roland and Boss products, sponsored by Roland UK and Dawsons Education. To receive your voucher, simply submit a composition (categories A-F) by the deadline.

Listen to winning compositions

2010 was the first year of this competition and following a performance at the National Galleries of Scotland four lucky composers won the star prize of having their piece professionally recorded by Linn Records at City Halls, Glasgow.

Listen to last year’s winning compositions.

Art and Design, CPD, Creativity, Curriculum for Excellence, Expressive Arts, Opportunities

National Galleries

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Continued Professional Development

We can provide exciting and stimulating Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions for whole schools, departments, art forums and cluster groups.

These sessions cover a range of topics, such as:

how art can support and extend the Curriculum for Excellence
increasing teachers’ confidence in using object-based learning in the Galleries and the classroom
developing teachers’ skills in looking at art
using works of art in the classroom creatively
practical experience in different art techniques

Above sessions can be booked for a half day or full day.

We also offer specialist hands-on workshops for Secondary Art Teachers and Primary Art Specialists.

For more details, please download the School Programme 2011-12 or contact the Schools Education Officer for more information.

CPD, Opportunities, Technologies

E-Safety live event 22 March, Heriot Watt University Conference Centre

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Edinburgh Workshops

The Scottish Government and the UK Safer Internet Centre are running an e-safety live event on 22 March with a choice of 12 workshops on topics such as ‘Online Gaming’ and ‘Protecting your Professional Identity’.

The event will be of interest to teachers, e-safety leads, headteachers, organisations working with children, social workers, local authorities and trainers. For enquiries, please email esafetylive@saferinternet.org.uk.

Creative Learning, Creative practitioners, Dance, Drama, Expressive Arts, Music, Opportunities

A Streetcar Named Desire – Free Talks and Workshops for Schools

February 27, 2012 Ms Higgins Leave a comment

Are you interested in finding out more about Scottish Ballet’s vibrant new production of A Streetcar Named Desire? Scottish Ballet is collaborating with theatre director Nancy Meckler to create a vibrant new take on Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play.

Scottish Ballet’s Education Department offer a range of exciting activities to schools to deepen students understanding of Williams’ text and to learn more about Scottish Ballet’s unique production which combines drama with dance.