Category Archives: Subjects and Themes

National Gaelic drama tour launched

Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s languages, Dr. Alasdair Allan, last week launched a national Gaelic drama tour at Meadowburn Primary School, Bishopbriggs.


Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, the agency with responsibility for the production and co-ordination of Gaelic educational resources, collaborated with agencies across Scotland and Ireland to produce a superb collection of traditional Scottish and Irish tales entitled ‘Mar a chuala mise e – As I heard it’.

Head of Project, Donald John MacRitchie said:

“Co-working with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Belfast provided us with the opportunity of sharing our experiences of developments in education and achieved a 50 per cent saving in our publishing costs. We then worked with Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the organisation which supports the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals throughout Scotland, to assist in dramatising one of the tales from the book and to produce an online pack on how to dramatise a story.

“We asked our friends at Meadowburn Primary School in Bishopbriggs to host the first performance and the pupils engaged enthusiastically with the actors from Fèisean nan Gàidheal, providing alternative endings to the drama. We were delighted that Dr Allan, the Minister with responsibility for Gaelic, was able to be present to launch the tour which will visit 50 venues across local authorities. We are grateful to Meadowbank Primary and to Dr Allan for their willing participation.

“Stòrlann are key players in the drive to raise the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland, and drama is recognised as an excellent vehicle for language acquisition.

“Our resources cater for all stages and include the online terminology database, An Seotal, and the website Gaelic4Parents which helps parents with children in Gaelic-medium education.”

Find out more about Stòrlann


Ministear airson Ionnsachaidh, Saidheans agus Cànain na h-Alba, an Dr Alasdair Allan, a’ cur cuairt dràma nàiseanta air bhog aig Bun-Sgoil Innis an Uillt, Drochaid an Easbaig.

Tha Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig air co-obrachadh le buidhnean ann an Alba agus Èirinn gus cruinneachadh sgoinneil de sgeulachdan traidiseanta fhoillseachadh air a bheil Mar a Chual Mise e.

Thuirt Ceannard Phròiseactan, Dòmhnall Iain MacRisnidh:

“Chaidh sinn an uair sin còmhla ri Fèisean nan Gàidheal gus aon dhe na sgeulachdan a thionndadh gu dràma, agus gus pasgan air-loidhne ullachadh a sheallas mar a nì thu dràma a-mach à sgeulachd.

“Chuir ar caraidean ann am Bun-Sgoil Innis an Uillt fàilte air cluicheadairean Fèisean nan Gàidheal airson a’ chiad taisbeanaidh dhen dràma. Chaidh na sgoilearan an sàs gu dealasach còmhla riutha, ’s iad a’ cruthachadh an deireadh fhèin airson na sgeulachd. Bha sinn air leth toilichte gum b’ urrainn don Dr Alasdair Allan, amMinistear le dleastanas airson Gàidhlig, a bhith ann airson a’ chuairt a chur air bhog. Tadhailidh an sgioba air 50 àite air feadh na dùthcha. Ar taing do mhuinntir na sgoile agus don Dr Allan airson pàirt a ghabhail còmhla rinn.

“Tha àite mòr aig Stòrlann san iomairt gus àireamh luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a chur am meud, agus tha e aithnichte gu bheil dràma na dhòigh mhath air cànan a thogail.

“Tha na goireasan againn a’ frithealadh air gach ìre agus nam measg tha An Seotal, stòr-dàta briathrachais air-loidhne, agus an làrach-lìn Gaelic4Parents a bhios a’ cuideachadh phàrantan le clann ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.”

Gus tuilleadh fhaighinn a-mach mu Stòrlann agus na tha sinn a’ dèanamh, tadhail air www.storlann.co.uk

Young People – have your say on Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy

Creative Scotland is leading the development of Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy. The strategy isn’t Creative Scotland’s, it’s Scotland’s and we would like you to join the conversation.

It will have the vision of establishing Scotland as an international leader in youth arts. Perhaps you think we already are? We need to hear your thoughts and opinions to help shape and inform the strategy.

Young Scot Online Questionnaire – click here for an online questionnaire for young people aged 11-26yrs old to have your say. We’d be grateful if you could forward to young people you work with, post it on your website or promote across your networks.

Twitter – If you want to join the national youth arts conversation on twitter then use the #tag: #YouthArtsScot to get us trending!

Dunbar SciFest

The Parent Council of Dunbar Primary School is organising an amazing weekend-long science festival for families in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders.  We are building upon the phenomenal success of last year’s first event which attracted over 2,000 visitors and over 20 activity providers during the Sunday afternoon. This year’s extended programme is fantastic, with an incredible range of drop-in workshops and demonstrations, science shows, talks and even storytelling sessions for the wee ones. See our website for details, directions and car parking information etc. The admission charge is just £3 per adult and £2 per child, with Family Tickets (up to 5 kids) for £10.

Saturday, 10th March (10am – 5pm) AND

Sunday 11th March 2011 (12-5pm)

Dunbar Primary School, John Muir Campus

Website for details, directions and car parking: www.dunbarscifest.org.uk

Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy

Focus Group Roadshows

Creative Scotland is leading the development of Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy. The strategy isn’t Creative Scotland’s, it’s Scotland’s and we would like you to join the conversation.

It will have the vision of establishing Scotland as an international leader in youth arts. Perhaps you think we already are? We need to hear your thoughts and opinions to help shape and inform the strategy. If you’re committed to enriching children & young people’s lives through the arts whether you’re an artist, parent, arts organisation or any other agency working with children or young people then we hope that you can join us at one of the focus groups below.

PLEASE NOTE: These focus groups are specifically for service providers but Young Scot are running a number of consultations with young people on our behalf.

We’re expecting spaces to fill up fast as numbers for each venue are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

If you would like to attend one of the events please visit Event Bright here to register online.

Other Ways to Get Involved:

Twitter – If you want to join the national youth arts conversation on twitter then use the #tag: #YouthArtsScot to get us trending!

Young Scot Online Questionnaire – this one’s for young people aged 11-26yrs old to complete. We’d be grateful if you could forward to young people you work with, post it on your website or promote across your networks

National Galleries of Scotland art competition for schools

In 2012 the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) art competition for schools celebrates its ninth year and the NGS has welcomed a new title partner. The Tesco Bank Art Competition for Schools hopes to inspire children across the country with the National Galleries of Scotland’s superb collection of artworks.

http://www.nationalgalleries.org/schoolartcompetition

Over 30,000 children from all over Scotland have participated since 2004. An exhibition of the winning works from 2011 is on show at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from 20 January – 24 May 2012 so why not go along and check out the talent on display?

This year’s winning works will be proudly displayed at the newly refurbished Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

There are six categories to choose from: Nursery; Lower and Upper Primary; Secondary and Special Education Schools. With clear links to Curriculum for Excellence and fabulous prizes to be won make sure not to miss the closing date of 4 May 2012.

Full details on www.nationalgalleries.org/schoolartcompetition .

East Ayrshire wins award for high-quality music provision

East Ayrshire Council has once again scooped a top award for its high-quality music provision to young people in schools. This is the seventh year in a row East Ayrshire has received a prestigious National Music Council (NMC) diploma, fighting off competition from local authorities all over the UK.

Music on song in East Ayrshire schools http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/newsarticle.aspx?p=733

Glow TV event: World of Work Wednesdays – Working on the Stage (1 February, 1.45 pm)

We started off our new season of World of Work Wednesday events looking at Working in the Theatre and we now move to looking at other careers that you can have – and in particular working on the stage.

Glow TV event: World of Work Wednesdays – Working on the Stage (1 February, 1.45 pm)
https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/GlowTV/tvpages/Schedule.aspx?dm_i=LQE,OD3B,3GU5HR,1YT9A,1

Creative Scotland sponsors ‘The Arts’ category at Young Scot Awards 2012


Creative Scotland is delighted to announce its sponsorship of ‘The Arts’ category at the Young Scot Awards <http://www.youngscot.org/mag/1141-young-scot-awards-2012>  2012. Taking place on Thursday 26 April in Glasgow, over 500 guests will attend a glittering ceremony to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Scotland’s young people. The Arts award is aimed at young people who are passionate about visual art, music, theatre, dance, literature and film, and is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the involvement of young people within the arts. Thousands of young people across Scotland regularly contribute to their communities in a variety of ways and many have made a difference to their local community by sharing their time, talent or creations.



http://www.creativescotland.com/news/creative-scotland-sponsors-the-arts-category-at-young-scot-awards-2012-27012012


City pupils thrill with flash dance in playground

Aberdeen City Council reports that pupils at Kincorth Academy performed a pop classic as part of a flash mob in the playground at lunch time on Friday 27 January. The impromptu flash dance, was not only a great way to get the school pupils working together but formed part of the pupil’s Curriculum for Excellence, comprising the movement and dance element.


http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_Kincorth_flash_dance_270112.asp


Marks on the Landscape

Education Scotland’s online interdisciplinary learning resource, Marks on the Landscape <http://newsletters-ltscotland.org.uk/LQE-OG31-3GU5HR-9BG4A-1/c.aspx> , is being used by schools throughout the country to help develop creative learning and teaching experiences across the curriculum.


One of the most popular areas of the resource is the Design Challenge section <http://newsletters-ltscotland.org.uk/LQE-OG31-3GU5HR-9BHYB-1/c.aspx>  which provides a set of interdisciplinary challenges intended to inspire learners to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life situations.

We would like to find out more about some of the innovative ways the design challenges are being used in schools and would appreciate you letting us know how your learners are using them. Please email details to Maureen.Finn@educationscotland.gov.uk <mailto:Maureen.Finn@educationscotland.gov.uk?subject=Marks%20on%20the%20Landscape> .



http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/marksonthelandscape/index.asp?dm_i=LQE,OG31,3GU5HR,1Z1WU,1
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/marksonthelandscape/designchallenges/index.asp?dm_i=LQE,OG31,3GU5HR,1Z1WU,1