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Celebrating Success - Spring 2007
For Scots around the world, 30 November is a day for celebrating our Patron Saint. But in 2006, St Andrew's Day was also an occasion for thousands of pupils across Scotland to celebrate their own successes.
I was lucky enough, along with our First Minister Jack McConnell, to join in the festivities at Edinburgh's Leith Walk Primary. We were treated to a multi-cultural celebration including a song performed in seven different languages, a display of Cuban dancing and an African drummer.
Nearly 200 schools took the time to let us know their plans - a fantastic response. I've heard about everything from whole school ceilidhs and assemblies to visits from storytellers and musicians and special displays of achievements. I have been really impressed with the way you have all responded to the challenge and used the packs we sent out to build on existing ideas or create new ones.
I was impressed to hear that our celebrations extended far beyond Scotland. From shortbread-making in Paris to school packs being sent to partner schools in Africa and celebrations of cultural links with schools as far afield as Peru and China, it really has been a celebration of the diversity of modern Scotland.
I've heard great reports from colleagues, teachers, pupils and many others. That's why I'd like to congratulate you all for your dedication, hard work and creativity in producing such fantastic and wide-ranging events.
Leith Walk Primary
It's also important to remember Celebrating Success is not just about organising one-off events. It's about praising the efforts of individual pupils who may have overcome considerable obstacles to achieve something significant and worthwhile, across the whole range of school activities.
Don't forget to let us know what you're planning next - fill in the online form or add your views and top tips to our discussion forum (details on back page).
I look forward to hearing first hand about many more of your experiences but would like to take this chance to say well done - and good luck for the next round.
Hugh Henry
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Every year, Scotland's recognition of our national patron saint on St Andrew's Day becomes greater. While it is always good to celebrate our proud past, it is just as important to celebrate the great things we do in the here and now.
We know that schools are hotbeds of creativity, talent and diversity and this makes them strong and successful. That is why Scottish education is such a success story in global terms. So why not shout about it?
Schools were set a clear challenge - to celebrate their success in whatever way they chose and to let everyone know about it, from parents to members of the community, to the local newspaper. Equipped with our St Andrew's Day school packs, schools the length and breadth of Scotland rose to the challenge in style.
HOW SCHOOLS CELEBRATED THEIR SUCCESS
St Andrew's Day proved the perfect opportunity for schools to showcase their renowned talents and diversity and they seized the opportunity in a number of exciting and innovative ways. They played host to an array of festivities and some even ventured beyond the school gates, taking their celebrations into the wider community.
Raising funds for charity
Some schools used the occasion to raise funds for local charities.
Gleniffer High
Gleniffer High's (Renfrewshire) Princes Trust XL Club (a group of 14 S3 pupils) planned their first-ever enterprise project - producing over 100 tartan ribbons! This involved raising funds for a local hospital's children's ward.
"We wanted something simple to make, and as St Andrew's Day was coming up, we decided on tartan ribbons. St Andrew's Day was a good marketing opportunity! Some of the club members designed posters, and some thought up ways to advertise and market the ribbons." - Shanelle (14), pupil, Gleniffer High
Easedale Primary
Pupils at Newmachar Primary (Aberdeenshire) raised funds for Rotary International charity, Shelterbox. This will be used for bringing humanitarian relief and aid to people displaced by natural or other disasters.
"This was a tremendous gesture by the school. There is much we can learn from the younger generation." - Jim Milton, International Convenor for the Rotary Club of Dyce.
Leith Walk Primary
The school also held various events over the course of a week including an odd socks day, wacky hair day, a disco and a talent show!
Caledonia Primary (North Ayrshire) raised funds towards a school-building project in Africa.
ONE SCOTLAND, MANY CULTURES
The theme was multi-cultural for many schools' celebrations. They honoured Scotland's heritage as well as the rich diversity in our society.
Blackridge Primary's (West Lothian) P5/6 class celebrated with a Polish/Scottish theme, involving songs, dances and food-tasting sessions as part of a comparative study of the two countries.
Auchtertool Primary (Fife) put on a concert for the whole community. Pupils sang Scottish, French and English songs, performed Scottish country dancing, and recited Scottish poems.
Kaimes School's (Edinburgh) multi-cultural celebrations included a variety of workshops such as African singing and percussion. Kaimes - a special school for children (from 5 - 18) who are on the autistic spectrum - is currently developing a partnership with a school in South Africa.
Plockton High (Highland) displayed 'One Scotland, Many Cultures' posters and promoted the Gaelic dimension.
"We liked the posters about 'one Scotland, many cultures' which were put up on the walls of our school. Our school uses Gaelic a lot in its notices." - Declan (13), pupil, Plockton High
SONGS, POEMS AND FAMILY FORTUNES!
Carrongrange School (Falkirk) held an open morning - parents/carers and friends of the school were entertained with Scottish songs, duets, guitar and keyboard playing. Senior pupils acted as 'tour guides', showing visitors around the school.
"I loved singing 'You cannie shove your granny off a bus!'" - Pupil, Carrongrange School
Hill of Beath Primary (Fife) embraced St Andrew's Day in a variety of ways: pupils performed Scottish country dances and Scots songs, a comedy sketch and displayed art inspired by the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Pupils from Burnhouse Primary (West Lothian) cooked a traditional Scottish meal for the whole school, after which staff and pupils took part in a mini Highland games. To finish off, the staff and pupils took part in a Scottish version of Family Fortunes.
Hamilton School for the Deaf
The Hamilton School for the Deaf (South Lanarkshire) P5/6/7 class arranged a special food-tasting event which featured food from around the world as well as Scottish specialities.
"There was also indoor golf and curling demonstrations, and celebrations were rounded off with some Scottish country dancing." - Jackie McGuire, P5/6/7 Teacher, Hamilton School for the Deaf
St Columba's Primary
St Michael's Primary (Dumfries and Galloway) staged a demo of a Highland sword dance as part of their activities.
INNOVATIVE ECO PROJECTS
Pupils at Longforgan Primary (Perth and Kinross) worked with the local community to develop a 4 kilometre-long trail around their village, leading to the school. The area supports a variety of habitats for wildlife and pupils have been learning about the local wildlife and how to look after their environment.
Longforgan Primary
"We learned so much about our local environment. It opened our eyes to the wonderful world on our doorstep." - Louise (11), Longforgan Primary
Dunblane High
Dunblane High (Stirling) showcased their gardening club. Pupils in S1/2 have grown plants during lunch hours and will now grow vegetables to use in their Home Economics class.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY LINKS
At Denny Primary (Falkirk), P6 and P7 pupils performed songs and Scottish poems at the opening ceremony of a new sheltered housing development.
"We hope this will create valuable links between the young and the older residents in our community." - Jill Stocks, Depute Headteacher, Denny Primary
HEALTHY EATING, HEALTHY LIVING
Falkirk High celebrated with a feast of Scottish fare. This tied in with their push towards healthy eating and accreditation as a Health Promoting School.
"For St Andrew's Day, we decked the canteen in saltire bunting, played Scottish music and put such delights as cock a leekie soup and mince and tatties on the menu." - Jane Clifford, Depute Rector, Falkirk High
St Mary's Primary (Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire) combined healthy eating with storytelling and artwork displays.
SPREADING THE WORD
There were many different ways that schools used to publicise their activities. Here are some examples:
- a school newsletter capturing the celebration of achievements
- a press release sent to local newspapers, including photos of the events
- an invitation to the local media to attend the festivities
- leaflets promoting the event/s distributed throughout the local community.
Comments about Celebrating Success
"Pupils recognised that an achievement can be something to be personally proud of and does not necessarily involve a medal or a certificate." - Dick Keatings, Headteacher, Kinross High (Perth and Kinross)
Queensferry High
"Your letter immediately struck a chord with me. I felt it was very much in tune with the aims of our planned open days, which was our means of showcasing our school's achievements." - Isobel Gallacher, Depute Headteacher, Newton Primary (Stirling).
NATIONAL EVENTS
While schools opened their doors to showcase exciting and diverse activities, a range of national events with the Celebrating Success theme have also been taking place in Scotland.
Scottish Learning Festival
The Scottish Learning Festival in September 2006 at the SECC in Glasgow - the largest education exhibition in Scotland with more than 5,500 delegates. This year, it will be held on 19-20 September.
Centres of Excellence
The second National Showcase of Excellence brought together Scotland's finest young musical talent from the four Scottish Centres of Excellence in Music. Pupils from Aberdeen City Music School, the City of Edinburgh Music School, the Music School of the Douglas Academy and the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music performed a varied programme of both solo and ensemble musical items to suit all tastes at the City Halls in Glasgow on 25 November 2006.
Art Bus Tour
Using the very best work submitted by Scotland's talented young artists for the 2006 SQA examinations, the SQA Art Bus Tour kicked off at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery. The collection was housed in a travelling gallery on wheels - a kitted-out skyliner bus!
The tour bus travelled across Scotland for a total of seven weeks, visiting over 50 schools from Galashiels to Golspie. The aim of the tour was to inspire future art candidates and spotlight the work of the 2006 candidates and their teachers.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN 2007 - AND BEYOND!
Newton Primary
Schools in Scotland made a real success of celebrating their success around St Andrew's Day in 2006. They spread the word and took pride in their many and diverse achievements, and why stop there? Achievements can - and should - be celebrated at any time of the year. So why not start planning events for 2007? After all, 2006's events only represented the first round of Celebrating Success.
Dens Road Primary
The Celebrating Success theme can be revisited again and again. Events can be linked to key dates in the year such as Burns' Night, but schools can also schedule their own special events to celebrate success.
For more ideas, visit our website www.scottish-schools.gov.uk and click on 'Celebrating Success'. You can also tell us about your activities via our online form, which can be found at this address. Alternatively, you can tell us about your ideas by emailing celebratingsuccess@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
SCOTTISH EDUCATION AWARDS 2007
One way we already celebrate the outstanding work and achievements taking place in our schools is through the annual Scottish Education Awards. Launched back in 2001, the Awards aim to recognise excellence and celebrate success in Scottish schools. Entry to the Awards is open to all publicly-funded schools, including Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools. There are a wide variety of school categories to enter which link to key initiatives such as Healthy Living, Better Behaviour and Determined to Succeed. There are also the individual categories which seek to recognise the dedication and commitment of teaching staff and education supporters.
Nominations for the 2007 are now open and can be made by anyone simply by logging on to the Awards website at www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk The closing date for nominations is Friday, 23 February, and the final Awards Ceremony will take place at the City Halls in Glasgow on Friday, 15 June 2007.
Head Teacher of the Year Award Winner 2006 - Anne Paterson, Inveraray Primary
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