This week we told you about Holy Rood RC High’s journey to the final of the Junior Saltire Award, brought you the news of Edinburgh’s first schools’ mountain bike competition at Liberton High and Gracemount High pupils helping to improve their community. We also reported on how the Edinburgh Guarantee continues to help school leavers go on to find work and training.
In other news…
Clovenstone Primary get an ‘Unexpected Visitor’
Last week Clovenstone Primary received a visit from Alan Windram and Dave Sutton, author and illustrator of the new children’s book ‘Mac & Bob: The Unexpected Visitor’. Pupil from nursery to P3 were delighted as Alan and Dave dressed up as their much loved characters and read aloud from their book. All pupils joined in the fun – singing songs and dancing with the characters.
One P2 pupil said “Mac is very funny and the pictures are lovely”.
The pupils enjoyed the slapstick comedy of the show. The children all joined in with the songs, which brought the characters alive, and listened intently as the illustrator described how he designed his illustrations to match the story. The children were fascinated to see him drawing in front of them.
The classes plan to illustrate stories of their own and share them with Alan and Dave.
Having an author and illustrator visit the school is an excellent opportunity to bring reading alive for pupils. It encourages children to read for enjoyment and learn about the writer’s craft. This was a highly entertaining learning opportunity.
A unique playground in the works for Flora Stevenson Primary
Pupils at Flora Stevenson Primary could be set to benefit from more playground space with the proposal for the creation of a unique play area on the school’s roof. The rooftop play area project draws inspiration from similar construction in other schools across Europe and hopes to make best use of our resources in response to rising demands on space in our primary schools.
Flora Stevenson are not the only school in line for a rooftop playground area – the new Boroughmuir High will have one when its open in 2016.
Councillor Paul Godzik said:
This shows, once again, that the council are actively working with parents to tackle rising rolls and are bringing forward some radical solutions to ensure that the educational environment for pupils is not compromised.
Read the full story at The Evening News and let us know what you think about the rooftop playground proposal in the comments section below.
And finally… Goodbye Pat!
Pat Appleby, head teacher at Calderglen Nursery School, is retiring and will be leaving her post on Friday 27 June 2014.
Pat has worked in education for over 35 years. She has worked as a teacher, educational home visitor, head teacher and HMIe Associate Inspector.
She worked under Lothian Regional Council at Sighthill Primary School and Hunters Tryst Nursery Class (Fairmilehead) as well as at Cockenzie Nursery School in East Lothian.
For the past 19 years she has worked energetically at Calderglen Nursery School and for those of you who know her well there has never been a dull moment!
To mark Pat’s retirement, there will be a Garden Party at Calderglen Nursery School with a presentation for Pat. For further information please contact Carol Weir at Calderglen Nursery before 13 June 2014.
