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Port Ellen Primary on Islay has received a silver award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for ‘Making a Difference - Primary School of the Year’. The awards celebrate excellence in education and recognise the life-changing impact that an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.

Three primary school head teachers from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute have received top marks after completing Education Scotland’s national ‘In Headship’ qualification. Linda MacBeath from Rhu, Karen Wheatley from St Mun’s, and Pauline Walsh from Colgrain all took part in the In Headship postgraduate programme, which is designed to enable new head teachers to develop and continue to build the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding required in their role.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ said:

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Dunoon Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is working in partnership with the ‘We are building a beach hut’ project to deliver a series of free workshops. Boat builder Ben Neville will lead the workshops taking participants through traditional construction techniques using timber and a range of tools and finishes.

A reduction in fossil fuels and increased use of renewable energy sources – these are just some of the ambitions for Islay’s carbon neutral future.   Islay is one of six Scottish islands, announced by the Scottish Government to become fully carbon neutral by 2040. The initiative is part of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, aimed at supporting islands to achieve their carbon neutral ambitions.  

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s councillors have met for the first Council meeting after the local government elections, and appointed key roles. The Leader is Councillor Robin Currie and the Depute Leader is Councillor Gary Mulvaney. The Provost is Councillor Maurice Corry and the Depute Provost is Councillor Liz McCabe. Council Leader Robin Currie said:

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Early Years Team has received the General Teaching Council Scotland’s Quality Mark after gaining an Excellence in Professional Learning Award from the organisation.

The council is holding open drop-in sessions for members of the public to have their say on the future of Luing and Minard Primary Schools. Minard Primary School - Thursday 19 May 2022, at Minard Primary School, 9.30am – 6pm. Luing Primary School - Thursday 26 May 2022, at The Atlantic Islands, Centre, Cullipool, 10am – 7pm. Arange of information will be available and your opinions welcomed. An options appraisals report will be collated following these sessions.  

Hermitage Park is hosting a series of free workshops in May and June for anyone with an interest in horticulture and floristry.   Angela Smith will deliver the interactive workshops. Angela brings a wealth of experience in community and tabletop gardening and floristry.   All workshops take place in the Community Room, part of the new Pavilion.  

Dunoon Grammar has been shortlisted for the Gaelic Education Award at this year’s Scottish Education Awards. The education awards celebrate the hard work and success that takes place in Scottish education. Dunoon Grammar has been shortlisted in the Gaelic category for the school’s work in developing a positive culture of continuous improvement in Gaelic Medium and Gaelic Learner Education.