Latest news with #StMary'sPrimary
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work
Work starts during the school holidays on Menzies Road, while Edinburgh Road will have cycle lanes introduced, in works scheduled to get under way by the turn of the year. Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work this year, starting in the summer. Work starts during the school holidays on Menzies Road, while Edinburgh Road will have cycle lanes introduced, in works scheduled to get under way by the turn of the year. Councillors on the town's local area committee also asked for more speed reduction measures in the town. Senior roads engineers attended the Bathgate committee after the chair, councillor Harry Cartmill, complained about the poor state of main roads through the town. Graeme Burton, Design Engineering Manager, told the meeting that the aim is to have a contractor in place to resurface Menzies Road from the Menzies roundabout to North Bridge Street during the school holidays. The road passes St Mary's Primary and the Aldi supermarket. Design plans are expected to be in place for Edinburgh Road in the Autumn; these will see installation of cycle lanes running from Guildiehaugh roundabout to the King Street car park. This work will also include partial resurfacing, but the bulk of the costs, around £750,000, will be met from the Scottish Government's Active Travel funding. A report to the committee added: 'The scheme also includes removal of existing central refuge islands, which are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, to be replaced with new signalised crossing points. The design will maintain north side parking lay-bys wherever possible, and will involve removal of the existing on-road cycle lane markings and red textured surfacing.' Mr Burton's report concluded: 'The project will be progressed during Summer and Autumn 2025, with procurement following shortly after. A start date on site will depend on responses from the statutory consultation, available road space and procurement times.' Councillor Willie Boyle asked for traffic survey returns on Edinburgh Road before the work starts. He said Kirk Road and Marjoribanks Street had seen many accidents because they had become rat run for drivers keen to escape Edinburgh Road. He called for more safety warning signs on those roads. Councillor Boyle said: 'I'm not against the changes going in but I think we need a comparison. If there's going to be an impact then it has to be addressed. It's not necessarily about spending thousands but something has to be done to address speeds. There's very little traffic calming on Marjoribanks Street.' Councillor Cartmill agreed that the number of accidents was high, including one where a car had hit a house. Thanking the engineers for their report Councillor Cartmill said: 'I'm sure everyone in Bathgate will welcome this. Menzies Road was pretty much uncyclable, and undriveable. 'With Edinburgh Road, at least now we are seeing things starting to move.'
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Two major roads through Bathgate to see upgrades and resurfacing work this year
Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work this year, starting in the summer. Work starts during the school holidays on Menzies Road, while Edinburgh Road will have cycle lanes introduced, in works scheduled to get under way by the turn of the year. Councillors on the town's local area committee also asked for more speed reduction measures in the town. Senior roads engineers attended the Bathgate committee after the chair, councillor Harry Cartmill, complained about the poor state of main roads through the town. Graeme Burton, Design Engineering Manager, told the meeting that the aim is to have a contractor in place to resurface Menzies Road from the Menzies roundabout to North Bridge Street during the school holidays. The road passes St Mary's Primary and the Aldi supermarket. Design plans are expected to be in place for Edinburgh Road in the Autumn; these will see installation of cycle lanes running from Guildiehaugh roundabout to the King Street car park. This work will also include partial resurfacing, but the bulk of the costs, around £750,000, will be met from the Scottish Government's Active Travel funding. A report to the committee added: 'The scheme also includes removal of existing central refuge islands, which are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, to be replaced with new signalised crossing points. The design will maintain north side parking lay-bys wherever possible and will involve removal of the existing on-road cycle lane markings and red textured surfacing.' Mr Burton's report concluded: 'The project will be progressed during Summer and Autumn 2025, with procurement following shortly after. A start date on site will depend on responses from the statutory consultation, available road space and procurement times.' Councillor Willie Boyle asked for traffic survey returns on Edinburgh Road before the work starts. He said Kirk Road and Marjoribanks Street had seen many accidents because they had become rat run for drivers keen to escape Edinburgh Road. He called for more safety warning signs on those roads. Councillor Boyle said: 'I'm not against the changes going in but I think we need a comparison. If there's going to be an impact, then it has to be addressed. It's not necessarily about spending thousands but something has to be done to address speeds. There's very little traffic calming on Marjoribanks Street.' Councillor Cartmill agreed that the number of accidents was high, including one where a car had hit a house. Thanking the engineers for their report Councillor Cartmill said: 'I'm sure everyone in Bathgate will welcome this. Menzies Road was pretty much uncyclable, and undriveable. 'With Edinburgh Road, at least now we are seeing things starting to move.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Live
Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work
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 Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work this year, starting in the summer. Work starts during the school holidays on Menzies Road, while Edinburgh Road will have cycle lanes introduced, in works scheduled to get under way by the turn of the year. Councillors on the town's local area committee also asked for more speed reduction measures in the town. READ MORE: Ten year West Lothian plan raises concern as council given just weeks to agree Senior roads engineers attended the Bathgate committee after the chair, councillor Harry Cartmill, complained about the poor state of main roads through the town. Graeme Burton, Design Engineering Manager, told the meeting that the aim is to have a contractor in place to resurface Menzies Road from the Menzies roundabout to North Bridge Street during the school holidays. The road passes St Mary's Primary and the Aldi supermarket. Design plans are expected to be in place for Edinburgh Road in the Autumn; these will see installation of cycle lanes running from Guildiehaugh roundabout to the King Street car park. This work will also include partial resurfacing, but the bulk of the costs, around £750,000, will be met from the Scottish Government's Active Travel funding. A report to the committee added: 'The scheme also includes removal of existing central refuge islands, which are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, to be replaced with new signalised crossing points. The design will maintain north side parking lay-bys wherever possible, and will involve removal of the existing on-road cycle lane markings and red textured surfacing." Mr Burton's report concluded: 'The project will be progressed during Summer and Autumn 2025, with procurement following shortly after. A start date on site will depend on responses from the statutory consultation, available road space and procurement times." Councillor Willie Boyle asked for traffic survey returns on Edinburgh Road before the work starts. He said Kirk Road and Marjoribanks Street had seen many accidents because they had become rat run for drivers keen to escape Edinburgh Road. He called for more safety warning signs on those roads. Councillor Boyle said: 'I'm not against the changes going in but I think we need a comparison. If there's going to be an impact then it has to be addressed. It's not necessarily about spending thousands but something has to be done to address speeds. There's very little traffic calming on Marjoribanks Street.' Councillor Cartmill agreed that the number of accidents was high, including one where a car had hit a house. Thanking the engineers for their report Councillor Cartmill said: 'I'm sure everyone in Bathgate will welcome this. Menzies Road was pretty much uncyclable, and undriveable. "With Edinburgh Road, at least now we are seeing things starting to move.' Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South African teachers seek opportunities abroad amid local job shortages
'At my school, I am short of two teachers from February 2024," said a principal. WITH increasing unemployment among qualified teachers in South Africa, many are considering moving abroad for better job opportunities. We highlight the challenges faced by teachers and the implications of a potential brain drain in the teaching profession Shwetha Saminath, 26, a qualified teacher from Chatsworth, said she had been unemployed for four years. 'I qualified in 2021 and I specialise in the intermediate and senior phase. I taught at a school in Chatsworth for five years. I have been unemployed for four years and have encountered many financial challenges since then. 'My passion is to teach children and it is sad that there are limited job opportunities for teachers in KZN. Teaching overseas enhances career prospects. There is a massive growth of opportunities in terms of experience and international recognition of skills, and a better income. I am now considering moving abroad so that I can secure a permanent job as a teacher,' she said. Candice Demi George, 28, of Merebank, said she was forced to leave the country because she could not get permanently employed as a teacher. 'I worked part-time and paid for my teaching degree. I qualified as a teacher in 2022. I worked part time as a teacher at St Mary's Primary, in Merebank, and then moved to Fairvale Secondary school as a specialised Afrikaans teacher. 'I really struggled to find a permanent job as a teacher. I was forced to leave the country because I wanted a permanent job. I moved to China in 2023 and it has changed my life. I now teach at a school in Shijiazhuang,' she added. George said she had to save R50 000 to move abroad. 'There are many different aspects to cater for when you leave your home country to pursue a career abroad. It was not easy to leave my hometown and make something of myself. 'From my own experience, I think there are many dedicated, young and passionate teachers in South Africa. But the DOE cannot provide all teachers with jobs because of budget shortfalls. 'This means that they simply cannot afford to retain all teachers or hire newly-qualified teachers. I would encourage any young person to get out of their comfort zone and apply to other countries. "But the problem is that if more teachers leave the country to pursue permanent jobs abroad, a brain drain in the teaching profession is imminent. I hope that the issues at the DoE are resolved so that I could come back home and have a job as a teacher,' George added. A principal at a Phoenix school, who did not want to be named as he is not permitted to speak to the media, said the situation in schools was worsening due to the shortage of teachers. 'Employed teachers are faced with an increased workload, resulting in burn-out and frustration. There is also the issue of teachers teaching subjects that they are not trained to teach, which disadvantages children. Inclusive classes make teaching more challenging. 'At my school, I am short of two teachers from February 2024. The department keeps sending intermediate phase teachers to fill this vacancy but there is no budget for permanent teachers,' he added. He said the teaching sector was heading towards a brain drain. 'This will also be exacerbated with the implementation of the early retirement without penalties. There are various challenges at the department and if it is not addressed, the education sector will be crippled,' he added. THE POST
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Colombian musicians teach creativity to Draperstown children
It is often said that music is a universal that was certainly the case in Draperstown in County from St Mary's Primary came together in rhythm with visiting musicians from Columbia in South Mr Klaje Collective from Cali in the South American country rap, sing, dance, play and their home city they use the power of music to bring former gang members together, promoting peace and reconciliation through teaching to guitarist Juan Manuel Gomez, music is an ideal way to do that."The music connects the people and secures a space to start to speak about the problems, the life," he told BBC News NI. 'It was very fun' Along with the British Council, Dr Edwar Calderón from Queen's University of Belfast (QUB) is one of those behind the collective's visit to Northern Ireland."The idea is to show how different music can go together and how music put together can create a dialogue between people and bring people together," he is fortunate enough to have its own music hub in the centre of the town, run by 200 young people from the area go to Glasgowbury each week to learn instruments and play music it was an ideal venue to bring the Colombian musicians together with the P5 pupils from St Mary's to make sweet pupil Saorla is already an enthusiastic and accomplished musician."I play a lot of music, I play at least four instruments," she said."I play the harp, and the whistle and the piano and the violin."But sampling drumming with the collective brought a new string to her bow."There's different types of drums you can play," she said."It was very fun actually, I'd never played drums before."For her St Mary's classmates Yusuf and Olcán, learning to rap was a hit lesson."It was cool and it was nice to listen to some different music," Yusuf said."And we learned some Spanish and we got to count to four in Spanish," Olcán added. There have been concerns, though, that arts subjects like music can sometimes be squeezed out of primary school timetables.A recent report from the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) said, for example, that many teachers were finding it challenging to "ensure that there is time for art and design within the curriculum".That was despite the fact that creativity was found to be important in improving children's wellbeing. St Mary's teacher Caroline McCartney said it was vital to give pupils time to take part in music, art and other imaginative and creative subjects."It's very important for children to get time to be creative and to express their thoughts and ideas whether it be through art or through music," she told BBC News it is not just important for children but adults, assistant Aga Mura also took the chance to dance and sing along to the Mr Klaje Collective as they worked with St Mary's pupils."It was absolutely fun for everybody," she said.
