Latest news with #English
Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Children from across Livingston celebrate Bastille Day in true French style
The celebration brought France to West Lothian with French music, food, games, and art activities, offering young learners a memorable introduction to both the language and culture of France. Children from across Livingston celebrated Bastille Day in true French style this week as local French teacher, Sandra Kasparek's popular bilingual summer camp launched its 2025 season with a festive, fun-filled day of cultural immersion and language learning. Set in a private venue in Livingston, Sandra's French-themed Holiday Activities Club opened its doors on 14 July - Bastille Day, France's national holiday, marking the start of an exciting summer of creativity, connection, and bilingual discovery. The celebration brought France to West Lothian with French music, food, games, and art activities, offering young learners a memorable introduction to both the language and culture of France. 'This was the perfect way to kick off camp,' said Sandra Kasparek, a seasoned French teacher and licensee of the award-winning La Jolie Ronde Programme. 'Bastille Day is a fantastic opportunity for children to connect with French traditions in a fun, meaningful way. It sets the tone for the rest of the summer where every day is a blend of language, learning, and laughter.' Sandra has been running French classes in Livingston for over 15 years, and her summer camp has grown into a beloved local tradition. This year, excitement reached new heights with children from as far afield as Keswick in Cumbria returning for the vibrant, bilingual experience. The Bastille Day celebration was just the beginning. Throughout July and into August, children will enjoy a range of hands-on activities including baking, arts and crafts, dance, outdoor games, and role-playing—all conducted in both English and French. It's an immersive approach that keeps children engaged while developing real-world language skills. Parent Jane, from Livingston, said: 'My daughter Grace has been attending Sandra's Summer Camp for a few years now, and every year, she can't wait to go back. 'Grace absolutely loves meeting new friends from all over, and the fun activities keep her engaged while boosting her language skills. 'It's more than just a camp, it's a place where she feels at home and excited to learn. Every time summer approaches, she's the first to ask, 'When can I go back to Sandra's holiday club?' Sandra's camp is open for both full-day (9am–4pm) and half-day bookings, with discounts available for multi-day attendance. The programme not only boosts language confidence but also creates a warm and welcoming environment where children feel at home. 'What we do here is more than just language lessons,' added Sandra. 'It's about building confidence, sparking curiosity, and creating lasting memories. Seeing children so eager to return year after year, especially on a day like Bastille Day, reminds me how powerful and joyful learning can be.'
Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Broxburn Academy pupil selected as first recipient of Robin Cook Internship
The internship, which runs over two weeks this summer, will see Lena gain first-hand experience of the work of an MP both in Westminster and at Gregor Poynton's constituency office in Craigshill. A Broxburn Academy pupil has been selected as the first ever recipient of a prestigious new internship in memory of the late Foreign Secretary and former Livingston MP, Robin Cook. Lena Zielinska, a senior pupil at Broxburn Academy, was chosen following a highly competitive selection process to take part in the Robin Cook Internship, a paid summer placement established by current Livingston MP Gregor Poynton to mark the 20th anniversary of Cook's passing. The internship, which runs over two weeks this summer, will see Lena gain first-hand experience of the work of an MP both in Westminster and at Gregor Poynton's constituency office in Craigshill. During her time in Parliament, Lena will attend meetings with senior politicians and officials, observe committee work, and support research, casework and campaigning activity. Lena secured the internship after submitting a written essay on 'Livingston's Place in the World' and attending a formal interview. She was selected from a pool of over a dozen strong applicants from schools across the constituency. She said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to have been selected for the Robin Cook Internship. It's a tremendous opportunity for young people like me to learn more about politics and the work of an MP, both here in Livingston and at Westminster. 'I can't wait to get started and to gain experience that I know will stay with me for years to come.' As well as academic excellence, Lena is a champion debater and has represented Broxburn Academy in the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament, Scotland's national debating competition for schools. She is also an active member of the school's Sports and Events Committee, helps lead wellbeing and fundraising initiatives, and volunteers weekly at a British Heart Foundation charity shop. She is a Girl Guide, a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award holder, and a fluent Polish speaker currently studying for Highers in English, History, Modern Studies and French. Unsuccessful applicants were also invited to attend a special Q&A session with Gregor Poynton MP at his constituency office in Craigshill, where they had the opportunity to learn more about the workings of Parliament and meet the wider constituency team. Gregor said: 'Robin Cook was a towering figure in British politics and a hugely respected local MP. This internship honours his commitment to internationalism and public service and Lena reflects all of those values. 'She's thoughtful, articulate, passionate about her community, and I'm thrilled to have her join the team this summer.' The Robin Cook Internship pays the Real Living Wage and is open annually to S5 and S6 pupils across the Livingston constituency. It is expected to run again in summer 2026.
Irish Independent
35 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Nicola Coughlan spotted in Galway at the opening of acclaimed Michelin-starred chef's new restaurant
The Galway native visited Kombu Ramen & Bao Bar over the weekend as she sampled the new eatery which offers Japanese cuisine on Druid Lane in Galway city. Nicola, who is best known for her roles as Clare Devlin in Derry Girls and Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, posed alongside Kombu staff who welcomed her to the restaurant. The star spent the sunny weekend in her native Galway and looked delighted to be at home as she smiled with staff. Sharing a photo on social media, Kombu staff captioned the photo, 'A special guest on our opening weekend. 'Thanks @nicolacoughlan for joining us to celebrate our first few days @komburamenbaogalway.' The 38-year-old has a storied history in Galway, having grown up in Oranmore and attending Calasanctius College before graduating from University of Galway (then National University of Ireland Galway) with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation. Since her breakthrough role in Channel 4's hit comedy Derry Girls, Nicola has starred in popular Netflix drama Bridgerton, blockbuster film Barbie and comedy-drama, Big Mood. The Irish star splits her time between her hometown and London and made her red-carpet debut with her boyfriend, British actor Jake Dunn, at the Bafta TV and Craft awards nominees party in April. Kombu Ramen & Bao Bar officially opened on Druid Lane on July 11 and is the latest work by award-winning chef JP McMahon. Kombu's kitchen will be led by Gabriel Hoefling Ossani, who has worked with McMahon at the Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant in Galway city. The restaurant offers a casual-style experience featuring steaming bowls of ramen, teriyaki, tempura, innovative rice dishes, and a creative selection of bao buns, as well as some playfully creative desserts. Adding to the local feel, colourful graffiti walls have been detailed by Galway artist Tracey O'Callaghan, which are paired with subdued lighting and a curated playlist to create a contemporary space in the heart of Galway's Latin Quarter. Kombu is open from Tuesday to Saturday and will aim to keep the positive momentum going during one of Galway's busiest spells.
NDTV
36 minutes ago
- Business
- NDTV
SBI PO Recruitment 2025: Deadline To Apply For 541 Posts Today, Check Details
SBI PO Recruitment 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) is closing applications today, July 14, 2025, for 541 Probationary Officer (PO) posts. Eligible graduates aged between 21 and 30 years can apply online at SBI PO Recruitment 2025: How To Apply Step 1. Visit the official website: Step 2. Go to the Careers section Step 3. Click on Current Openings Step 4. Find and open the SBI PO 2025 recruitment link Step 5. Click on Apply Online Step 6. Register and fill out the application Step 7. Upload the required documents and pay the fee Step 8. Submit the form and save a copy for future use Important Dates • Application & Fee Payment: June 24 to July 14, 2025 • Preliminary Exam Admit Card: 3rd or 4th week of July • Preliminary Exam: July or August 2025 • Prelims Result: August or September 2025 • Main Exam Admit Card: August or September 2025 • Main Exam: September 2025 • Main Result: September or October 2025 • Interview & Group Exercises Call Letter: October or November 2025 • Final Stage (Interview/Group Exercise/Psychometric Test): October or November 2025 • Final Result: November or December 2025 • Pre-Exam Training (for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD): July or August 2025 Selection Process The selection process consists of three phases. Phase 1 is a preliminary exam, which is an online objective test lasting 60 minutes with 100 marks. It includes sections on English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning, with no sectional cut-offs. Phase 2 is the main exam, comprising an objective test with four sections: Reasoning & Computer, Data Analysis, General Awareness, and English, followed by a descriptive test. Sectional cut-offs apply, and candidates scoring well will progress to Phase 3. In Phase 3, candidates undergo a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview. The final selection is based on marks from Phase 2 (weighted at 75%) and Phase 3. Important Instructions • Carefully read the official notification before applying • Application is complete only after fee payment • No hard copies need to be sent to SBI • Use a valid email ID and mobile number for all communications • Check all details before submitting the form - no changes allowed after submission • Admit cards will be sent via email only • Apply early to avoid last-minute server issues • Selection is provisional until eligibility is verified
Powys County Times
40 minutes ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Young Powys farmer thanks medics after brain tumour removed
A young farmer from Powys was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour following a holiday to Turkey - after her symptoms were dismissed as heatstroke. Moli Morgan, 22, went to Antalya for a sunshine break with her boyfriend but suffered two seizures the night before she was due to fly home. Turkish doctors told her it was probably down to heatstroke after spending too much time in the 30c sun during their week-long trip. She returned to the UK the following day and went to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after being advised to by her sister, who is a nurse, and underwent a CT and MRI scan. Moli was left stunned to be told she had a life-threatening 4cm glioma on the left side of her head despite feeling "pretty much completely fine". She was transferred to a specialist neurology centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital, where it was decided the mass would be removed by an awake craniotomy. During the operation, Moli had to repeat words back in both Welsh in English to make sure the surgery didn't impact her ability to speak her first language, which is Welsh. The four hour long procedure on December 9 last year proved a success and Moli is now back helping out on the family farm in Llanerfyl. Moli said she is "back to normal" six months on and has thanked the medics who saved her life. Moli said: "It was obviously very scary and you expect the worst when you're told you have a brain tumour. "I had no real warning signs before or during the holiday, I had never suffered any symptoms before. "I have only ever had a migraine but didn't think anything of it at the time. Everything seemed to happen quickly." Moli booked the holiday with her boyfriend of six years Ollie Higgins, 22, a mechanic, in October last year. She added "We'd had a lovely week there, it was really relaxed and there was a water park at the hotel which was great. It was hot but not unbearable, around 28-30c. "I felt absolutely fine and there were no warning signs for what was about to come the day before we were due to fly home. "I'd had trouble sleeping but felt OK apart from that and then I suffered a seizure at around 1am in the morning following by a second one about 20 minutes later. "My boyfriend called the medics and they had a doctor on site at the hotel who told me it was probably just heatstroke. "We had been in the sun all day and I hadn't drank much water, so I sort of thought nothing more of it and that is was probably just heatstroke, and we flew home the next evening. "One of my three sisters is a nurse and she suggested we got to hospital to check it out just to be on the safe side. "We went to Shrewsbury Hospital and had an MRI scan and got the results back the same day. "They had found I had a 4cm brain tumour on the left side and I just couldn't believe it, as I had no other real symptoms and felt completely fine. "I do get a couple of migraines a year, but obviously that can be normal. It just came as such a massive shock. "You just sort of try and deal with it, I think my parents and sisters were more worried. I stayed in hospital for 4-5 days having anti-seizure tablets before I was allowed home." Dr Erminia Albanese, a consultant neurologist in Stoke, told Moli her procedure would have to be carried out while she was awake. "I didn't even really think about it, I just thought do whatever you need to do. "While I was awake I had to have a translator there to make sure I was repeating words back in Welsh and English correctly. "There was like this Powerpoint presentation with basic things like animals and food on them - and I had to repeat the words back. "There was a couple of times I didn't get it right, so they knew that was the part affecting my language and not to interfere there. "It's mind-blowing what they can do really." She was left with 28 staples in her head and was kept in for two days before she could return home. The hospital said it was vital Moli had an interpreter with her so she could talk throughout the surgery and the team could do all the checks to ensure she didn't lose the ability to speak Welsh. Moli and her mum, Carol, have now presented a cheque for £345 to Ward 228 and members of the UHNM Charity team, which was raised through a carol singing night organised by The Wales Federation of Young Farmers.
