Fresh Perspectives at Methil Heritage Centre

http://www.fife.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.display&objectid=8531E085-050E-D10A-C63B3C6E1658D87E

Fresh Perspectives, an exhibition of work from the Art & Design department at Buckhaven High School, is now open to the public.

Showcasing the work of pupils from S1 through to S6, Fresh Perspectives offers visitors to Methil Heritage Centre a real visual treat, with expressive, design and 3D work spanning the last two academic years.

New web based course materials for National 4 and National 5 now available

Education Scotland has published the first tranche of web based course materials to support National 4 and National 5 qualifications. The materials have been designed to help teachers and others with the delivery of programmes of learning within the new qualifications framework and include some of the more creatively demanding qualifications including:

·         Drama for National 4 and National 5

·         Practical Cake Craft for  National 5

·         Health and Food Technology for National 4 and National 5

·         Fashion and Textile Technology for National 4 and National 5.

We have been working very closely with ADES to co-ordinate the development and publication of exemplar course materials across the full range of National 4 and National 5 qualifications and further materials will publish over the coming months.


http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nationalqualifications/coursematerials/index.asp

Scottish Music Hall of Fame – education work begins before the building is even built

East Ayrshire pupils are among the first to benefit from the super new Scottish Music Hall of Fame’s education plans – and first ever to work with world-famous sound systems manufacturers Linn Products.

Music mad youngsters from Kilmarnock’s James Hamilton Academy had the time of their lives learning about careers in the modern, hi-tech industry from the experts – including Hall of Fame managing director Ewan MacLeod.

In a new project for East Ayrshire Council’s school music service, 42 third to sixth year pupils spent three days at Linn’s factory,  just 15 minutes from Kilmarnock, with Ewan – who is also a former talent scout, TV presenter and the man who set up Beat 106 before selling it to Capital Radio (now XFM Scotland) for millions.

Scotland’s £6 million Music Hall of Fame is an amazing new 4D interactive visitor attraction that will be opening next to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, showcasing Scotland’s rich and diverse modern music culture and heritage and nurturing future rock stars.

Although not yet built, the Hall of Fame’s education department is already running some innovative projects. East Ayrshire is the first local authority outside Glasgow to benefit from their expertise – and the first authority that Linn has ever partnered with in an education project.

The aim of the workshops was to broaden pupils’ understanding of the music industry, which is not just about performing, but also offers careers in accountancy, marketing, backstage trades and many other areas.

When watching a band, many people aren’t aware of the ‘behind the scenes’ staff it takes to run the show, from stage, tour and business management to promotions people and booking agents.

The young people learned about recording labels, copyrighting creative identity, implications to the music industry of illegal music sharing, technical production, use of social media, marketing and setting up bands as businesses.

The youngsters also listened to well-known songs and discussed their impact on pop culture. They saw Linn’s top notch products being designed in the research and development room and built and tested in the factory – and were able to play with some of the world’s best designed audio systems.

Gilad Tiefenbrun, managing director of Linn Products, said: “Linn is proud to support the Scotland’s Music Hall of Fame education programme and we were delighted to provide space in our newly refurbished listening rooms at our factory to host the workshops. It was a pleasure to see these young people so inspired by music”.

Ewan MacLeod said: “At Scotland’s Music Hall of Fame, it’s not enough for us to look merely at the past and the present – we also look to the future of Scottish music. That is what our education programme is all about.

“To be able to spend time with these young musicians and artists has been fantastic. We were able to engage with them in a very practical way, talking about how to protect themselves and their music and the different roles and professions within the music industry… and I hope inspire them towards careers in the business. To be able to do that in such a prestigious setting as Linn’s factory underpinned everything we set out to achieve”.

Paul Wood, East Ayrshire Council Instrumental Music Service Manager, who set up the project, said: “The pupils had a wonderful time at Linn’s state-of-the-art factory, working with Ewan.  Everyone had a chance to explore the various job opportunities and learned that performing is just the tip of a large iceberg called the music industry”.

Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said:  “This was clearly a fascinating and motivational experience from start to finish. Ewan led the young people on a journey through his own experiences and knowledge of the music industry and the pupils loved every second”.

Pupil Alison Harcourt said: “I loved being in a working factory and in the listening rooms, where there were amazing sound systems. Ewan gave me enthusiasm to know that I could make it in the music industry if I worked hard”.

Classmate Finn Gibson added: “Ewan helped me with my CV. I gained knowledge and a lot of confidence, which has increased my drive to try and get into the music industry”.

Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund

From 23 July – 3 August 2014, Glasgow will host the XX Commonwealth Games, one of the world’s most significant multi-sports events.

Glasgow 2014 will be Scotland’s largest ever combined sporting and cultural celebration, and the vision is to stage an outstanding Games that will be celebrated at home and across the Commonwealth. As an integral part of an unforgettable Commonwealth Games experience, we have the ambition to stage and support a truly spectacular and surprising programme of cultural events that will bring the Commonwealth to Scotland and take Scotland to the Commonwealth.

Glasgow 2014 Limited, Creative Scotland and Glasgow Life are now inviting individuals and organisations to apply to the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund.

This fund is a major component in the development of the nationwide Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme and aims to enhance the Games experience for Scotland’s communities, spectators and visitors, as well as present the best of Scotland’s culture alongside that of the Commonwealth.

A total of £4million is available and individual artists, community-led groups and arts organisations are invited to apply for awards ranging from £20,000 up to £300,000.

Projects can be new and one-off events or enhancements of an existing festival or programme of work. They can feature in either or both the Scotland-wide programme Culture 2014 – which will focus on the countdown to the Games before the focus subsequently turns to other major events, such as the Ryder Cup and the Edinburgh Festivals – and Festival 2014, which will transform Glasgow during Games-time.

Further details on the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme and other opportunities, along with background information on the Games, and full guidelines on how to apply to the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme Open Fund can be found on the Creative Scotland website.

Applications close on Friday 22 February 2013.

View the full press release.

January 2013 Information Sessions

To complement the background and application documents, a series of Information Sessions will be held in the following locations, providing an informal opportunity to find out more about the programme and ask questions. Book your place via the links below.

Tuesday 8 January 2013 – Edinburgh

Wednesday 9 January 2013 – Inverness

Thursday 10 January 2013 – Aberdeen

Friday 11 January 2013 – Glasgow

If you have any access requirements please let us know when making your booking.

Launch of the Scottish Education Awards

The Scottish Education Awards were launched on Monday 3 December by Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  The awards celebrate the hard work and success in Scottish education.  They recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcase the valuable work and innovation in learning environments across Scotland.

Nominations for the 2013 awards can be submitted from now until 22 February 2013.  Please circulate and share this information with your networks.  For more information visit the Scottish Education Awards website.

two categories cover the development of creativity skills – the Enterprise and Employability Learning Awards for Primary and Secondary,

http://www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk/

Enterprise and Employability Across Learning Award (Secondary)

Seasonal Stimuli – Education Scotland’s calendar of events to inspire learning

Resource Calendar http://glo.li/SwUEbp

Find topical teaching resources for December in our calendar of events including Hanukkah, Human Rights Day, Christmas.

The events in this calendar are celebrations, awareness days and action weeks all covering topical issues relevant to schools. Each of the events includes details of websites and support materials to help plan activities for learners.

As well as accessing the resources online, you can also download the Global Citizenship Calendar as a PDF, with links to resources for each event.

Creative Industries Conference

Lights, camera, action – young people get creative http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/lights-camera-action—young-people-get-creative.aspx

The Creative Industries Conference for Young People brought together over 90 senior students from South Ayrshire Councils Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy, Girvan Academy, Kyle Academy, Prestwick and Queen Margaret Academy. Each student was specially selected to attend the conference as they are particularly interested in pursuing a career in the arts.