All posts by S. Bullock

Community Learning and Development, Early Learning

Opening up the Future: It’s your future

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It’s my Future is a song created by children, young people and adult learners to express their views on how learning needs to change to fulfil their aspirations. It demonstrates what exciting modern learning can look like. Education Scotland wants to hear from children and young people across Scotland about their hopes and aspirations for the future. On Tuesday 4 December at 11am Education Scotland will host a national event at Inveralmond Community High School. The event, led by young people, will help shape future developments in learning and teaching. A Glow TV session will enable children and young people to speak directly to Craig Munro, one of Education Scotland’s strategic directors, and share their views about learning and teaching.

Glow Meet – 4 December 11.00 am http://glo.li/U9VVXA

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/eslb/2012/11/26/opening-up-the-future-it%e2%80%99s-your-future/

Drama, Music

Dumfries House Hosts Inaugural Ayrshire Artist Gathering

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Stephen Kay, Education Officer for The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House said

“I was delighted to host the first Ayrshire Artist Networking Event at Dumfries House, organised by Helen Duncan and Jenny Hunter, Cultural Co-ordinators for East and South Ayrshire respectively, providing a venue for over fifty local artists and creative practitioners of various mediums and professionalisms to meet and highlight their individual areas of interest and expertise.”

After a short tour of the House by Charlotte Rostek, Curator of Dumfries House, a keynote speech was delivered by Mark Chester, Executive Director of The Princes Drawing School in London in support of art & culture locally and nationally, and whose foundation has recently opened artist studios on the Dumfries House estate.  This fantastic new facility will support art education throughout Ayrshire and beyond as part of the educational vision for Dumfries House through the support and involvement of “The Prince’s Drawing School”, “The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts”, “The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts” and as a major part of His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay’s Heritage Regeneration programme.

Helen Duncan, Cultural Co-ordinator

“I was overwhelmed with the response – not only are these Ayrshire artists and makers producing their own work, but working with children and young people delivering high quality creative learning opportunities for schools.  This is essentially a business network for artists to connect, collaborate, share and support.”

Tom Wilson, local Visual Artist and runs Wild and West

“I know I’m not alone in thinking that the splendour of the house and the warmth of the welcome aside, this was an exciting and inspirational event at Dumfries House. The enthusiasm of the speakers for its development as a centre for cultural education and learning made me feel very lucky to have it on my doorstep.  It is a very healthy, holistic, imaginative vision, enabling art, culture and heritage to make a strong contribution to the regeneration and development of this area as a whole.  At a personal level I came away knowing that Dumfries House is genuinely keen to offer opportunities to local artists.”

The Sundancer, Ayrshire Singer/Songwriter

“The opportunity to deliver songwriting workshops at Dumfries House is fantastic – particularly as I was lucky to purchase my first guitar through a grant from The Princes’ Trust when I first started playing nearly 20 years ago.  I look forward to working with local young people at Dumfries House, sharing my knowledge and experience to give them support which I have received.”

Ruth Carslaw, Film-Maker

“As the event unfolded you could genuinely feel a shared sense of purpose and momentum – propelled by the great speakers, fellow artists and the building itself!   I left feeling that Dumfries House will become a creative hub for all – artists and communities alike.”

The next event is proposed to be held in the new year at University of West of Scotland.  For further details or to be kept informed of future events, please contact helen.duncan@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or jenny.hunter@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Technologies

Scottish students shortlisted in BAFTA Young Designers Competition

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Pupils from Larbert High School, Falkirk Council, have reached the final of the BAFTA Young Game Designers competition for 11-16 year old and will attend the Children’s BAFTA awards on Sunday 25 November in London to see if they have won. Their entry, in the Game Concept Award section, has a solitary Highlander fending off attacks from wild haggis with only his magic bagpipes to defend him.

Details of the BAFTA competition can be found here:

https://www.bafta.org/press/bafta-announces-finalists-for-2012-young-game-designers-competition,228,SNS.html

Details of the pupil entry can be found here: http://ygd.bafta.org/piping-thistles

The pupils worked on their entry during a Wider Achievement Opportunity, which runs for senior pupils two periods a week. The class is organised by Computing Science teachers within the Technologies Faculty of Larbert High School and is inspired by the Computer Games Development award offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

http://scottishgames.net/2012/11/20/bafta-games-nomination-for-scottish-high-school-pupils/

http://glo.li/RTdGbB

Technologies

The shape of things to come – design project

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Over 100 third-year Auchinleck Academy pupils had their first taste of the design process, as Interaction launched in nine secondary schools across East Ayrshire.

Architect David Ross of Keppie Design said: “It may seem almost chaotic in the early stages, but we want the young people to experience going through the process of changing and evolving ideas, to get to a final design. This is what architects do”.

The Interaction project calls for students to respond to specific needs in their own schools, leading to the actual realisation of built structures.

The youngsters’ brief for the morning was to work in groups, mentored by seniors, to design and build a 1:20 scale model for a structure to display and sell products.

On hand to help were David Ross; Hanneke Scott van-Wel, architect with Stone Opera; and Kathy Li, also of Stone Opera and part-time lecturer in architecture at Glasgow School of Art (GSA). Ian Hope of Hope Homes – builders of Cumnock’s Knockroon development, in a partnership with the Prince’s Charities Foundation – also dropped in to see the potential architects at work.

Headteacher Peter Gilchrist was delighted with the enthusiasm shown by his students and praised their creativity.

Hanneke Scott van-Wel said: “Today’s event is just a taster for the bigger project. Pupils will be asked to work on individual designs for a moveable structure to be used in selling products made in school. It must be flexible, portable, fit to be used outdoors and it must reflect the school identity.

“They will work in art and technical classes on their designs up until Christmas, when one winning design will be selected from each school. That design will be constructed as a model.

“The finalists will go forward to a Dragons’ Den type contest, where all nine schools will come together and a winner will be chosen. By the end of the school year, the structures will be realised.”

David Ross stressed that the design brief was a guide and was open to interpretation – different schools could evolve their own ideas. Kilmarnock Academy, for example, is coming up with ideas around a prototype racing car model!

He added: “Interaction will involve a number of departments in each school working on the problem simultaneously. We hope that art, technical, business and IT departments would form the core teams for this exercise”.

Councillor Iain Linton, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “This initiative is in the early stages but has all the hallmarks of a unique and innovative project which will enhance what is already on offer in the curriculum, by giving students the opportunity to work with professionals and experts in their fields”.
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Creating a Culture of Empowerment – The Staff, 20 November 4.00 pm

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Glow Meet

Following on from an earlier session with the pupils at Hill of Banchory Primary School you will now have an opportunity to hear from the staff about how they are developing a culture of empowerment within a school environment.

During this session find out how leadership is fostered with all members of staff including non teaching staff and how Pupil Volunteering is organised and carried out in the school.

Join us for this insight into a school working well towards leadership empowerment for all.

Click here to log in to Glow and sign up

https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/GlowTV/Lists/glowtvschedule2/DispForm.aspx?ID=332&Source=https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/GlowTV/tvpages/Schedule.aspx

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park offer Travel Grant Scheme for schools and groups

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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has launched a new pilot scheme to help schools and outreach groups experience the great outdoors in the Park by offering an Educational Travel Grant. With forests to explore, landscapes to walk and climb, lochs and rivers to sail on and rich wildlife and history to discover, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park provides the perfect outdoor classroom for schools and groups.

Funds will be provided for up to 75% of total transport costs. This includes transport to and from schools or a group’s meeting place to the National Park and the costs of accessing Inchcailloch island for outdoor learning activities. For more information on the funding criteria visit the website or contact Alison Cush on 01389 722125 email education@lochlomond-trossachs.org.


http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/learning/educational-travel-grant/menu-id-950.html

Further information about the National Parks Learning resources can also be found on the website: http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/learning/educational-resources/menu-id-111.html and specific information about overcoming Barriers to engaging in National Parks and National Nature Reserves: http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/learning/overcoming-barriers-getting-into-your-park/menu-id-658.html.

Developing the Young Workforce, Sciences, Technologies

Scottish Gov. challenge prize fund for young innovators – 18-24 years

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The Scottish Government announces the launch of the Young Innovators Challenge which will be open to young people aged 18-24 who are in their final year of college or university, taking part in a national training programme or studying for a Modern Apprenticeship. Industry leaders will set young competitors challenges across a number of specialist fields, judge competition entries and offer mentoring and support to successful entrants.

SG News Release: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/11/young-innovators13112012

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Children design library cards for local authority

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Two local children will see their very own designs adorn new junior library cards after they won a competition run by the Council.

Budding young artists were asked to come up with imaginative designs for new Perth & Kinross children’s library cards earlier this year. There were two categories: under-5s and Primary 1-7s.

With almost 300 entries it was a tough task for the judges Liz Conacher, from the Council’s Arts Development team, and local artist Julian Jardine.

They eventually chose two winners – Jamie Syme, aged 5, from Kinross, and Joseph Ruddy, aged 9, from Aberfeldy.

Joseph came up with a colourful design of an owl reading a book, whilst Jamie came up with an all-action superhero theme.

You can see pictures of the boys with their winning designs here.

The two lucky winners will see their artwork on the new junior library cards from Monday 12th November. The cards are sure to be snapped up quickly, so all children are invited to visit their local library whether they are already library members and would like a free replacement card, or if they wish to join up for the very first time.

Lifelong Learning Convenor, Councillor Bob Band, said: “Congratulations to Jamie and Joseph on their winning designs. Their entries are both fantastic, and exactly what we were looking for to brighten up our junior library cards. I hope the boys really enjoy seeing their artwork on the new cards.

“I’d like to thank everyone who sent in a design for the competition. I know the judges had a difficult task time picking the winners as the standard of entries was so high.”

Sciences

Scottish Physics teacher presented prestigious top teacher award by Brian Cox

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Celebrations were the order of the day as a Kilmarnock teacher scooped a prestigious award from the renowned Institute of Physics (IOP) – and chatted to tv’s star scientist, Brian Cox.

Colin Barbour, Principal Teacher at St Joseph’s Academy, won this year’s coveted Teacher of Physics award. He was presented with a £300 cheque, a paperweight and certificate by IOP President Sir Peter Knight at a glittering ceremony in the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London.

Colin said: “It was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t know what to expect at all.

“The IOP put me up in the £470 a night hotel. There were 650 people at the ceremony and we had a champagne reception followed by an excellent meal. The guest speaker was Professor Brian Cox, who also received the President’s Medal in recognition of his achievements in promoting science to the general public.

“I’ll remember the ceremony for a long time –and the engraved glass paperweight now has pride of place at home”.

Former Loudoun Academy pupil Colin explained that he had been nominated by Professor Danny Gorman, retired, of Strathclyde University, whose daughter he previously taught.

Former students were contacted to write testimonials about Colin’s inspiring teaching ability and methods.

Colin said: “I didn’t know a thing about any of this at the time. The news of my award came totally out of the blue. Fortunately, enough pupils said nice things about me!”

A teacher for 24 years, Colin has spent 22 of them at St Joseph’s Academy, where he has been Principal Teacher since 1995.

Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning Councillor Stephanie Primrose said: “Congratulations to Colin on receiving this national recognition for his outstanding teaching.

“He was honoured alongside distinguished research scientists and industrialists at the annual awards dinner. In this way, the IOP recognised that without dedicated teachers, there would be no physics research community or technological base in our society”.