St Bartholomew’s received fantastic news yesterday following an official announcement by Angela Constance, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. I applied to the ‘Access to Education Fund 2014’ just before the October holidays for money to boost the performing arts in St Bartholomew’s and found out yesterday that the application has been successful. This means that £5000 will be heading our way to pay for a new sound system for the hall as well as a set of guitars and electronic keyboards for the music room. The sound system will allow our pupils to participate in musical and dramatic performances of the highest quality. The musical instruments will be used to deliver pupil-parent after school clubs in the new year and will also be used for Personalisation and Choice modules.

In their email, Education Scotland said: ‘Your proposal was considered to be both exciting and potentially of great benefit to children and young people experiencing barriers to learning. You have therefore been awarded the full amount of your bid to proceed with your proposal as outlined in your application.” We’re absolutely delighted!

The coffee morning organised by the Faith in Action group yesterday raised the fantatsic sum of £185.63 for the work of Father Ben in Uganda. Thank you to everyone for your support and generosity.

The Faith in Action group have also raised money and gathered in items for the Innocents Society. Unfortuantely, Sr Maria Goretti will be unable to make it to today’s assembly. However, a representative from the charity will attend to collect the gifts from the school.

Last, but not least, please remember to check out the website later today for our Pupil of the Week awards, the winning house, and the Cool Class.