Latest news with #StThomas'Primary
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'New era for learning' as £30m learning campus officially opens
The facility, which brings together St Thomas' and Neilston primaries and Madras Family Centre onto a single campus, opened its doors to pupils in March 2024, and Friday's event provided an opportunity for all to see how it has transformed the learning opportunities available. The opening ceremony to officially mark "the new era for learning in Neilston" saw musical recitals from pupils, a religious blessing and speeches from pupils from both schools. READ MORE: Aberdeen Uni cuts 'legally questionable', critics say Parents are learning a lesson in Scottish education: do not trust the process This Scottish school mobile phone ban could be life-changing for children Speaking on Friday, Councillor Andrew Anderson said: 'Today's official opening ceremony was a wonderful way to mark this new chapter for learning in Neilston. This fantastic campus, combined with the staff, pupils, parents and wider community, will become the beating heart of the village and contribute to an environment where our children and young people will flourish. "The completed campus offers our children and young people the very best learning environment and I'm delighted that sustainability is also at the core of the design, with the latest renewable energy technologies being used including air source heat pumps. "A school community is about so much more than bricks and mortar and it's clear that the ethos and relationships which have already developed at Neilston Learning Campus since its opening will support all to achieve their very best.' Head Teachers Gerard Curley and Marie Kane with Jenny Gilruth MSP and Councillor Andrew Anderson and children from Neilston Primary, St Thomas' Primary and Madras Family Centre outside the new Neilston Learning Campus (Image: Jeff Holmes) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth added: 'I welcome the opening of this state-of-the-art campus – we now have a record number of pupils in Scotland being taught in schools that are in 'good' or 'satisfactory' condition. The Scottish Government is providing £10.6 million for the Neilston Learning Campus through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme which by the end of 2027-28, will have delivered 47 modern, state of the art schools.' Neilston Learning Campus was built to replace the out-dated former buildings and was designed to ensure both schools and the family centre retain their unique identities and teaching spaces, with shared facilities including a large sports hall, Digi-Zone, a dedicated space for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEAM), an art room, a green screen video editing area, and drama and music space. Gerard Curley, Head Teacher of Neilston Primary and Madras Family Centre, said: 'It's an absolute privilege to lead our school and family centre every day. I am blessed to have such a wonderful community to work within and we work hard to ensure every member of our community is seen, heard and supported. This outstanding facility will give us a springboard to strive for even greater achievements in future years. I'm looking forward to the journey that's ahead of us.' Marie Kane, Head Teacher of St Thomas' Primary, added: 'At the heart of all that we do in St Thomas' is our commitment to forming young people who embody our school values of love, faith and understanding. Since moving to our new home, the whole community has embraced the change and we are very appreciative of this remarkable facility and the high-quality learning experiences we are able to deliver. It's an exciting time for everyone connected with the school and we can't wait to start creating new memories for everyone at St Thomas'.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 10-year-old girl who really didn't want to be late for school
A crossing has been installed on a main road in Stockport after a heartfelt appeal from a schoolgirl. Hannah, 10, wrote to her MP last year saying a crossing was badly needed in Heaton Moor so she could safely walk to the school on her own when she starts Year 6 in September. The letter was passed on to Stockport Council who agreed and started work on the crossing on Heaton Moor Road, near the junctions with Peel Moat Road and Broomfield Road, earlier this year. READ MORE: 'These dog attacks are happening more and more, running wild... things have to change' READ MORE: Primark store in Greater Manchester taped off after woman dies It was this week completed with St Thomas' Primary pupil Hannah being invited down to officially turn it on. 'I sent a letter in asking about a crossing and explaining the reasons why I wanted it because normally we have to go to the crossing all the way down near Shaw Road and then it'll make me late for school" she said. 'But with these new lights it's really easy to cross and I'll be using this every day now.' She was joined by staff and pupils who are members of the Eco Committee at her school. Chris Silk, deputy head at St Thomas' said: 'It was an honour to be invited to 'launch' the new pedestrian crossing on Heaton Moor Road. "It will make a massive difference to our school community by encouraging yet more active travel to our school. "As a school, we have worked hard to reduce our impact on the environment and to educate our pupils about the benefits of active travel. Infrastructure like this crossing really supports these messages. 'I'm very proud of Hannah for taking the initiative to write to ask for this crossing as part of her Young Leaders Award. One of the aims of the award is to 'empower pupils to serve their communities' and Hannah demonstrated this by being so proactive.' The crossing has been delivered by Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with funding from the Active Travel Fund. Coun Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services at the council, said: 'While plans for the crossing were already in motion as part of the council's wider commitment to sustainable travel, Hannah's letter reinforced just how important the improvements would be for local families. 'Her passion for road safety and sustainable travel brought real attention to the need for safer walking routes – and she was the perfect person to help mark the completion of the project. 'We know all about the hard work that the team at St Thomas' are doing to encourage active travel on a daily basis, including their work in setting up and maintaining a School Street. 'We're working hard to create green, more inclusive and safer neighbourhoods and one way to do this is improving our sustainable travel routes across the borough, so we can help everyone make better travel choices on a day-to-day basis.'
