Latest news with #StKentigern'sAcademy
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian singer's performance of Prince's Purple Rain strikes the right chord in Cyprus
Sean Lynch from Fauldhouse took the You're a Star 2025 title A West Lothian man seems to have hit a purple patch after moving to live on an island in the Mediterranean popular with tourists. Sean Lynch, who is from Fauldhouse, recently hit all the right notes with the judges when he won the You're a Star 2025 competition in Cyprus with an incredible performance in the final of the classic Prince song, Purple Rain. The 30-year-old was singing in pubs and clubs around West Lothian before moving to Paphos in 2017. The former pupil at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn now resides in Paphos on the island's southwest coast but the final of the competition was in the country's capital, Nicosia. 'I was 22 when I first came over to work in one of the Louis Hotels as singer. I moved back to Scotland in 2018 and then returned to Cyprus in February 2020. 'I love Motown music but when I'm performing I cover everything and anything.' The Lynch family from Fauldhouse was already well-known in and around West Lothian for music, performing, and entertaining. Before moving Sean's jobs in Scotland included working as an assistant events manager for VPZ, before that he worked in Schuh Warehouse at J4 for many years. 'Sean continued: 'At the weekends I'd be out singing, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I travelled all over Scotland to different venues – pubs, clubs and holiday parks. He now performs at a wide range of events in Cyprus including, corporate functions, private parties, and weddings. The Cyprus-wide competition was organised by New Music School and Recording Studios. 'I applied online for the You're a Star singing competition and made it into the last 40 contestants,' said Sean. 'I made it to the semi-final and then into the final. 'There were 15 singers in the final and I won. There was a cash prize and also a holiday courtesy of the competition sponsor, SeeYou Travel. 'I will be going into the studio to record and will be releasing Purple Rain as the 'winners single'. It will be available on all music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music etc. "I'm then hoping to start releasing some of my own stuff too.' Despite enjoying his life in the sun, Sean hasn't forgotten his roots and comes home to Scotland once a year in March for Mother's Day and performs a show at Fauldhouse Miners' Welfare club, which always sells out in advance. 'I've been performing the show there for a number of years,' said Sean. 'I'll be back for it again next year on Sunday, March 15'.
Edinburgh Reporter
04-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
St Kentigern's Academy set to open new wing months ahead of schedule
St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn is set to open its new wing months ahead of schedule after a £50m rebuild. More than 60% of the school – one of the largest in West Lothian- had to be demolished because of RAAC roofing panels. While councillors welcomed the fact that school will be completed by March, they voiced disappointment that the Scottish Government has yet to respond to pleas for £15m to help meet the costs. The Executive heard that the council has budget a loan could face paying an extra £15m interest on that sum. A report to the executive said: 'Discussions remain ongoing with the Scottish Government around funding support to deliver the works required at St Kentigern's Academy. To date, no funding support has been confirmed.' Depute Chief Executive for Education Dr Elaine Cook told the meeting: 'For the first year in a number of years, we will be able to have all our SQA exams within the school site.' Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem, said: 'I really wanted to say a massive thank you from the outset, on behalf of councillors. Officers have kept us fully informed. They grasped the nettle in dealing with this situation.' 'Fingers crossed we get some money from the Scottish Government.' Depute SNP group leader Pauline Stafford echoed Councillor Pattle's thanks to officers and added 'A big thanks go to staff and students who have borne this really admirably. It has been a lot of upheaval.' Countering complaints that the Scottish Government had not responded to the council's plea for £15m costs Councillor Stafford said the council would be a better state if it had not had to pay £18m for PFI projects introduced by Labour. Conservative group leader, Damian Doran-Timson described that as 'defending the indefensible' and criticised millions of pounds 'wasted by the Scottish Government'. He added: 'The issue here is the Scottish Government not supporting the council. Shame on the Scottish Government for not stepping in.' Labour councillor Tom Conn said: 'I'd like to thank officers for dealing with RAAC throughout all our schools' estate. Not one penny has come from the Scottish Government to support this council. There's been criticism of the PFI which we are still paying off, but this is what we are going to have to do if we don't get this support- paying off on the never never.' A Scottish Government spokesperson defended its record on funding schools, pointing to almost £24m of funding through the Schools for the Future Programme, spent on building or extending schools in the county and also financial support given through the Learning Estate Investment Programme. The spokesperson added: 'The Scottish Government has been in regular contact with each local authority where RAAC has been identified in schools. 'The Education Secretary met with West Lothian Council and visited St Kentigern's Academy and was reassured on progress made by the council in dealing with RAAC identified in the school. 'National guidance has been available from the Institute of Structural Engineers to local authorities since March 2022. That guidance remains good practice for councils to adhere to and uses a risk-based approach to manage RAAC.' After the meeting Andrew McGuire the executive councillor for Education said: 'It's great to hear how much progress has been made in re-building a significant part of St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn. 'St Kentigern's is a large secondary school that provides education to many young people from towns and villages in the west of West Lothian. 'We can now look forward to the new building at St Kentigern's being opened in 2026, which will deliver huge benefits for pupils and staff. 'Thanks to everyone at the school and those involved in the project for their hard work to ensure a major construction project can be delivered quickly with minimal impact on education.' The new building will feature a reception area, spacious canteen and dining area, a four-court Games Hall, Dance Studio, Fitness Suite and a changing area. Additional facilities will include a performance area, a range of learning spaces, a café and nurture rooms, all designed to enhance the learning environment for all of the young people who attend the school. The work has been completed while the school is operational, with every effort made to keep disruption to a minimum for a project of this scale. A temporary 'Learning Village' has been put in place to support learning, with some PE lessons and SQA exams the only activities that required additional space off-site. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Construction work progressing well at high school in West Lothian with problematic aerated concrete
The project is on track for completion in Spring 2026 Work on a major construction project at a West Lothian high school is progressing well. A new wing is currently being built at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn following issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). The project to re-build a significant proportion of the school is on track for completion in Spring 2026, after over two-thirds of the school had to be demolished due to RAAC. A recent meeting of Council Executive received an update on the project, with the steel frame, concrete floors, and staircases now in place to mark a significant milestone. Contractor Heron Bros is undertaking the construction work on behalf of the council and development partner, Hub South East. Discussions are ongoing with the Scottish Government over support to fund the works at St. Kentigern's. The school's Pupil Voice group has been actively involved in visiting the construction site for updates and sharing them with the wider school community. Executive councillor for education Andrew McGuire said: 'It's great to hear how much progress has been made in re-building a significant part of St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn. 'St Kentigern's is a large secondary school that provides education to many young people from towns and villages in the west of West Lothian. 'We can now look forward to the new building at St Kentigern's being open in 2026, which will deliver huge benefits for pupils and staff. 'Thanks to everyone at the school and those involved in the project for their hard work to ensure a major construction project can be delivered quickly with minimal impact on education.' The new building will feature a reception area, spacious canteen and dining area, a four-court games hall, dance studio, fitness suite, and a changing village. Additional facilities will include a performance area, a range of learning spaces, a café and nurture rooms, all designed to enhance the learning environment for the young people who attend the school. The work has been ongoing while the school is operational, with every effort made to keep disruption to a minimum for a project of its scale. A temporary Learning Village has been put in place to support learning, with some PE lessons and SQA exams the only activities requiring additional space off-site.
Edinburgh Live
04-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian school to reopen months ahead of schedule after closure due to RAAC
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn is set to open its new wing months ahead of schedule after a £50m rebuild. More than 60% of the school - one of the largest in West Lothian- had to be demolished because of RAAC roofing panels. While councillors welcomed the fact that school will be completed by March they voiced disappointment that the Scottish Government has yet to respond to pleas for £15m to help meet the costs. READ MORE: Calls for delayed West Lothian train station to be funded by Scottish Government The Executive heard that the council has budget a loan could face paying an extra £15m interest on that sum. A report to the executive said: 'Discussions remain ongoing with the Scottish Government around funding support to deliver the works required at St Kentigern's Academy. To date, no funding support has been confirmed.' Depute Chief Executive for Education Dr Elaine Cook told the meeting: 'For the first year in a number of years, we will be able to have all our SQA exams within the school site." Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem, said: 'I really wanted to say a massive thank you from the outset, on behalf of councillors. Officers have kept us fully informed. They grasped the nettle in dealing with this situation.' "Fingers crossed we get some money from the Scottish Government." Depute SNP group leader Pauline Stafford echoed Councillor Pattle's thanks to officers and added ' A big thanks go to staff and students who have borne this really admirably. It has been a lot of upheaval.' Countering complaints that the Scottish Government had not responded to the council's plea for £15m costs Councillor Stafford said the council would be a better state if it had not had to pay £18m for PFI projects introduced by Labour. Conservative group leader, Damian Doran-Timson described that as "defending the indefensible" and criticised millions of pounds ' wasted by the Scottish Government'. He added: 'The issue here is the Scottish Government not supporting the council. Shame on the Scottish Government for not stepping in.' Labour councillor Tom Conn said: 'I'd like to thank officers for dealing with RAAC throughout all our schools estate. Not one penny has come from the Scottish Government to support this council. There's been criticism of the PFI which we are still paying off but this is what we are going to have to do if we don't get this support- paying off on the never never.' A Scottish Government spokesperson defended its record on funding schools, pointing to almost £24m of funding through the Schools for the Future Programme, spent on building or extending schools in the county and also financial support given through the Learning Estate Investment Programme. The spokesperson added: 'The Scottish Government has been in regular contact with each local authority where RAAC has been identified in schools. 'The Education Secretary met with West Lothian Council and visited St Kentigern's Academy, and was reassured on progress made by the council in dealing with RAAC identified in the school. 'National guidance has been available from the Institute of Structural Engineers to local authorities since March 2022. That guidance remains good practice for councils to adhere to and uses a risk-based approach to manage RAAC.' After the meeting Andrew McGuire the executive councillor for Education said: 'It's great to hear how much progress has been made in re-building a significant part of St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn. 'St Kentigern's is a large secondary school that provides education to many young people from towns and villages in the west of West Lothian. 'We can now look forward to the new building at St Kentigern's being opened in 2026, which will deliver huge benefits for pupils and staff. 'Thanks to everyone at the school and those involved in the project for their hard work to ensure a major construction project can be delivered quickly with minimal impact on education.' The new building will feature a reception area, spacious canteen and dining area, a four-court Games Hall, Dance Studio, Fitness Suite and a changing area. Additional facilities will include a performance area, a range of learning spaces, a café and nurture rooms, all designed to enhance the learning environment for all of the young people who attend the school. The work has been completed while the school is operational, with every effort made to keep disruption to a minimum for a project of this scale. A temporary "Learning Village" has been put in place to support learning, with some PE lessons and SQA exams the only activities that required additional space off-site. Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
New headteacher appointed at St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian
A new headteacher has been appointed at a high school in West Lothian. Dr Gerry Burns has taken up the role at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn and he's no stranger to the local education authority or the area. The former principal teacher of Science, CDT and Computing at St Margaret's Academy in Livingston was also previously headteacher at Sinclair Academy in Winchburgh. Gerry was also depute head at St Mungo's Academy in Townhead, Glasgow. After completing an initial degree in Electronics with Music, he went on to achieve his Doctorate in Semiconductor Engineering, both at Glasgow University, and carried out research work in this field there before making the move into education. The father-of-four has continued his studies during his teaching career, completing both the demanding Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Into Headship programmes. In his spare time, Gerry enjoys spending time with his family and his Labradors, running marathons, and is also a keen musician. Dr Gerry Burns said: 'It is a huge honour to be appointed as headteacher of St Kentigern's Academy. With all the new development and investment ongoing, it's a new chapter for the school and the wider school community. It's a privilege to lead such a wonderful school, and I look forward to working closely with the entire community.' Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
