Comann nam Pàrant and the Cròileagan will be there every day – come and visit our stall!
Please see http://pluedinburgh.co for more details.
]]>The album will be officially launched by Gillie and her band on 12th May 2012at Douglas Robertson’s House Concert in Edinburgh. If you’d like to reserve tickets please email info@douglasinscotland.co.uk
For those of you who can’t make it to the launch, CDs can be purchased online at www.gilliemackenzie.co.uk
]]>In addition to these updates, there are links here to some of the most useful Gaelic websites and to to the main City of Edinburgh web pages which detail up to date information on Gaelic Education provision in Edinburgh.
If there are other gaelic websites you would like to see featured here, have a query about anyting noted in the minutes or would like to get more involved in Comann nam Parant, please email committee@gaelic-education.org
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- We agreed to establish three groups:
Steering Group: Mike Rosendale, Aileen Mclean, David Wright, four parent representatives and reps from HR, Project Management and Communications as appropriate.
Tollcross Group: Aileen Mclean, Colin Duncan, Juliet Barker, Alice Brown, perhaps another member of teaching staff, Communication rep, Early Years Manager, CLD rep, Robbie Crockett.
Gaelic School Group: David Wright, Jennifer Wright, Julie-Ann Sime, Norma Martin and/or Duncan Lauder, Devolved School Management rep, Property Services rep, Member of teaching staff.
Action: Mike, Aileen and David to discuss and contact most relevant people to sit on each group.
We agreed that the Steering Group would meet approximately 6 weekly, with the next meeting likely to be week commencing 23rd April.
The working groups would meet approximately 4 weekly, as necessary, with the first meeting likely to be Thursday 29th March.
All groups would try to set dates in advance and try to meet during the school day.
Action: Aileen and David to coordinate meeting arrangements with relevant working groups.
- There are ongoing issues relating to accommodating both GME and EME pupils this year in the Tollcross building. Mike assured parents that they would be as generous as they could in trying to accommodate all pupils who wanted to attend Tollcross.
Action: David to contact Admissions team to get feedback on their current policy regarding Tollcross admissions.
- Head teacher recruitment. It is now envisaged that this will take place immediately following Easter. This however will coincide with Council elections, meaning that Councillors may not be available until mid-June for interview panel.
Action: Mike to try to move this date forward.
- There are currently not enough EME parents trained in head teacher recruitment.
Action: David to investigate next training course to see if there are any places available for Tollcross parents.
- It was recognised that there has been a period with little communication from the Council to all parents.
Action: Mike to liaise with Joyce Nesbitt on a newsletter which will be circulated between us for comment before distribution.
- There was concern from everyone as to the serious implications if the Gaelic School refurbishment was not completed on time.
Action: Mike to speak with Billy MacIntyre to see if the timetable can be moved forward.
- Mike highlighted that there was significant interest from elected members and that it would be sensible to arrange briefings for those members as appropriate.
Action: Mike to take forward.
]]>year too. There are two talks that deal specifically with education which may be of interest:
Wednesday 14 March, 5.15pm
Fiona O’Hanlon, Professor Lindsay Paterson & Dr Wilson McLeod, University of
Edinburgh
‘Classifying Gaelic-medium provision: language use in early years, primary
and secondary school settings’
Wednesday 28 March, 5.15pm
Dr Fiona Lyon, East Renfrewshire Council
‘Early identification of literacy difficulties in Gaelic-medium education’
Neach-rannsachaidh Soillse/Soillse Research Fellow Ceiltis agus Eòlas na
h-Alba/Celtic and Scottish Studies
27 Ceàrnag Sheòrais/27 George Square
Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann/University of Edinburgh Dùn Èideann/Edinburgh
EH8 9LD
ALBA/SCOTLAND
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Refurbishment of former Bonnington Primary School
PROJECT UPDATE – 27 January 2012
Background
Following the decision of Council on 27 October 2011 there was a call-in period of up to six weeks during which the Scottish Government could consider the proposals to close the GME unit at Tollcross and, in turn, establish a new dedicated Gaelic primary and nursery school in the former Bonnington Primary building. The required consent of Scottish Ministers to the proposals was received on 1 December 2011.
Council approved a capital budget of £3.53m for which provision has been made within the Council’s Capital Investment Programme. Grant funding of £1.8m was committed to the project by the Scottish Government and the claim in respect of the first tranche of grant funding of £1.4m in 2011/12 has been completed and submitted.
As noted previously in the report to Council, the property has remained empty since December 2008 and has suffered substantial deterioration as a result of ongoing vandalism. In summary, the refurbishment project will address the building fabric issues and reinstate on a like for like basis. The refurbishment work will include asbestos removal and fire upgrade to meet current legislative standards.
Progress to date
A comprehensive team has been appointed to deliver the project. In addition to some services being provided by teams within the Council, a number of external appointments have been made including Faithful & Gould (project managers), Will Rudd Davidson (structural engineers) and Gardiner & Theobald (Quantity Surveyors).
An Investment Steering Group has also been established to oversee the delivery of the project; this is chaired by Billy MacIntyre, Head of Resources.
The Design Team are making steady progress with the detailed design and specifications and consultation with the appropriate statutory agencies.
Programme Status
The project remains on target for completion for 2013/14 intake. The key milestones within the current project plan are as follows:
- Tender Issued Mid-June 2012
- Tenders Returned Early Aug 2012
- Contractor start on-site Early September 2012
- Construction completion Mid-June 2013
- Fit-out and Migration Mid-June to end-July 2013
Here in Edinburgh at JGHS, the kids worked hard every Tuesday of last term to create their entries.
In the past the joint Gaelic & Media project at Gillespies has been very successful winning best production twice, best overall film and best actor.
However they’ve never won the people’s vote and today is the last day to vote, so go to www.filmg.co.uk and click on Films to see their entries amongst the others:
‘Glacte’ - made by S5s
And
‘Air an Stairsich’ – made by S1s. Be careful there are several ‘Air an Stairsich’ films as it was this year’s theme (On the Threshold). The JGHS one is. Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghillespie – roll over the image to see which school submitted the film.
Make sure you vote for the film you like best from the entries and good luck JGHS!
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Improve your Gaelic conversation
Yakety Yak Language Café offers the opportunity to improve your Gaelic in small groups (maximum 6) with fluent tutors. We learn in the relaxed atmosphere of cafés so you can enjoy a chat over a tasty wee treat.
Whatever your level of fluency, you will join a group of similar ability in which you can improve your conversation and meet people with similar interests. Please note these sessions are not suitable for beginners. You should be able to have a basic conversation before you come along.
No need to commit to a block of sessions – drop in when it is convenient for you. You can pay as you go – £6 per hour’s conversation session or you can pay for 5 sessions upfront and get the 6th session free.
Our Gaelic conversation sessions take place at
Monday 9.30-10.30 am – Cuthberts Coffee and Sandwich Bar, 94a Fountainbridge (opposite Tollcross Primary School), Edinburgh
Thursday 10-11am – eteaket Tea Boutique and Cafe, 41 Frederick Street, Edinburgh
For more information, please see www.yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk
or phone 07826 555134.
Email
mail@yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk
Fri 10th June
8.30pm
232 Canongate, Edinburgh
£3 at the door
Bothan is delighted to welcome renowned Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes on stage with friends. Kathleen who belongs to South Uist and was brought up in a Gaelic speaking home has been described by music writer Norman Chalmers as having “unique vocal colour and the ability to breathe dramatic life into her songs”. Her debut album Og-mhadainn Shamhraidh (Summer Dawn) was awarded “Best Folk Album released in 2006″ by Scotland on Sunday and in 2010 her vocals featured on Ridley Scott’s Hollywood blockbuster film Robin Hood. Kathleen is also no stranger to TV, having made numerous appearances as both an accomplished actress and singer over the years. This will the last session of Bothan before the summer break and a great way to end on a high note.
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