Share:

Edinburgh News Desk

We want to hear about your primary school news! Share your happy school stories with our readers - just email: kirsty@razzpublications.co.uk

 

Giant Lanterns of China 2017
 

The Giant Lanterns of China are illuminating Edinburgh Zoo this winter. Visit the most famous residents, in a new light.

Over 450 dazzling giant lanterns will transform the unusual setting of Edinburgh Zoo into an avenue of specular works of art. The awe-inspiring lanterns create a beautifully lit, nocturnal trail throughout the Zoo, focusing on the themes of China, Edinburgh Zoo and The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s worldwide conservation work.

These bespoke displays have been expertly created by 150 Chinese craftsmen from Sichuan, putting in a total of over 25,000 hours of work to create these works of art. 

The only place in Scotland to host such an event, The Giant Lanterns of China will take place over 50 magical nights, from 1 December to 25 February. Each evening will also showcase entertainment on route, including ambient music and unique performances surrounded by the lanterns lighting the way. 

To learn more about this unique event and to book your tickets for winter, please visit edinburghzoo.org.uk/lanterns

 

The PÅHL desk at IKEA

With the start of the school season, it’s time to get the kids set up for a smooth start. Especially for those who are starting school for the first time. This means a desk area where they can go to concentrate on homework and creative projects alike.

With PÅHL desk, your child has a desk to grow with. The simple design and three adjustable heights make it easy to create a personalised workspace that can be adapted and used for many years to come.  Visit www.IKEA.com

 

Sign up to The MGA Academy of Performing Arts’ Junior School 

Based in Edinburgh, The MGA Academy of Performing Arts’ Junior School offers those aged 4 to 18 the opportunity to learn singing, dancing and acting skills whilst having fun, making new friends and performing on stage.

Disney star Thomas Doherty honed his skills at the Junior School before going on to star as Sean in The Disney Channel’s hit TV show The Lodge and as Harry, Captain Hook’s son, in the 2017 movie Descendants 2.

To find out more, call 0131 466 9392 or visit http://www.themgaacademy.com/jnr-apply/

 

Theatre in Schools tours Scotland 

Theatre in Schools Scotland was launched as a three-year pilot project in 2016, to test a touring model that would bring one piece of high quality theatre to every school child in Scotland, each year. This year’s Theatre in Schools Scotland tour is expected to extend its capacity, performing to around 20,000 children and teachers at primary schools. Schools can still get involved in the autumn tour by contacting TISS@imaginate.org.uk or by visiting www.theatreinschoolsscotland.com

 

 

Yottie Bear Treasure Hunt at Royal Yacht Britannia

4 September - 2 October 2017

Looking to entertain the kids until 2 October? Well the freindly folk at Royal Yacht Britannia will be hiding cuddly Britannia Yottie Bears on board for you to find. The whole family can join in so keep a look out and, at the end of your tour, receive a badge and enter a prize draw. Call 0131 555 8800 or visit www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

 

 

 

Sustrans Scotland I Bike programme for pupils and teachers

Research from Sustrans Scotland has revealed that the number of pupils travelling actively to school has increased in schools where its I Bike programme is delivered. The findings, from Sustrans’ 2015-16 I Bike Report saw a 2.9 percentage point increase in children walking, cycling or scootering to school after a year. Sustrans’ I Bike project delivers an intensive pro-cycling curriculum linked programme to schools in Scotland - visit www.sustrans.org.uk

 

New Primary School Plans Approved

Plans for a new primary school in south east Edinburgh and the relocation and expansion of Victoria Primary School have been approved by the city’s council. The south-east school is needed due to the significant new housing development proposed in the area. In addition to the new primary school there will be changes to the current catchment areas of: Gracemount Primary School, Gilmerton Primary School, Liberton Primary School, Gracemount High School and Liberton High School. Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk to find out more.

 

Wildlife Bus brings conservation education to over 1,600 children in Edinburgh

Over 30,000 school pupils across Scotland have benefited from learning about the country’s endangered species and how to protect them, following visits from the ‘Wild about Scotland’ bus. The specially designed double-decker bus takes a mobile classroom to schools, allowing students to learn about how to protect local habitat’s species, and the environment. The bus has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland, including engaging with over 1,600 children from schools throughout Edinburgh, including pupils in Canal View Primary School, Carrick Knowe Primary School, and Broomhouse Primary School. To see when the Wild about Scotland bus is visiting your local primary school, visit: www.rzss.org.uk/rzss-education/wild-about-scotland

 

Kids Urge Edinburgh Drivers to Slow Down 

As work begins to install signs and lines for the next phase of the 20mph in Edinburgh project, primary four pupils at Flora Stevenson's Primary School have produced 20mph-themed posters featuring slogans such as "30's dirty - so don't do it; 20's plenty - so do it" and "Go Slow - 20's plenty" to drive home the message that slower speeds are safer. Residents from Clermiston to Clovenstone, South Gyle to Silverknowes will start to spot new 20mph signs and lines in their area as preparations get under way to launch Phase 3 of the rollout, which went live on Wednesday 16 August.

 

Bring your vision to life with IKEA Edinburgh’s new living room department 

Visit IKEA Edinburgh’s new living room department for a more interactive and inspirational shopping experience. Explore the new more realistic room settings, which will bring your senses to life with evocative smells and sounds and discover more of IKEA’s range and solutions in a new surprising, exciting way.
Experience the exclusive design hub, where you can browse a range of materials from magazines, to be inspired by current trends, to textiles and sofa fabrics to make your vision a reality. Even put together your own mood board to take home or share it with one of IKEA’s co-workers, so that together, you can create your dream living room. Visit www.IKEA.com

 

Creative fun for all ages at Doodles

Doodles is Edinburgh’s original ‘Paint Your Own’ pottery workshop established in 1999. It offers a creative and fun environment for all ages and abilities, running children’s holiday workshops, adult evening classes, birthday parties, work parties, hen parties and many community events for schools, Brownies, Rainbows and other groups. In addition, there are unique gifts for all occasions and Doodles specialise in children’s hand/foot print and imprints. Doodles is open 7 days a week and late every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Visit www.doodlesscotland.co.uk or call 0131 229 1399

 

Dunbar Daytripper Festival: Saturday 9 September

The Dunbar Daytripper Festival is a family-friendly music and food festival set in the beautiful walled garden and activity play park of Lauderdale Park, Dunbar. Taking place from Saturday 9 September from 12 noon, there will be loads to amuse families from music-making workshops to story-telling, from craft activities to balloon animals, from live music to zorbing. BBC Radio Scotland and 6 music DJ, writer and broadcaster Vic Galloway will be the MC for the day. The headline act, Fatherson, will be on the main stage at 7pm. ELjam will be providing a youth music stage too. For details visit www.dunbardaytripper.co.uk

 

October Diary Date: Pirate Weekend at the Scottish Seabird Centre

Shiver me timbers! Pirate Weekend will be back at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, ready to take on another weekend full of swashbuckling fun, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October. Alex Turnbull, Discovery Centre Manager, said: “Pirate Weekend is always great fun and it’s so fantastic to see our visitors dressed to the nines, as salty sea dogs or pirate princesses. There will be prizes for the best dressed, which every year is fiercely contested! It’s brilliant to see everyone make such an effort.” See www.seabird.org

 

The Transformation of Play in Scotland 

Research carried out for the 30th Anniversary of Playday on 2 August provided a unique insight into how play has changed over the last thirty years. The research highlighted the demise of outdoor play with children today spending far more of their play time indoors than outdoors, and concern about children’s retreat from the wider neighbourhood and community. The rise of screen based play together with less play with friends and less informal play spaces points to a growing dissatisfaction with children’s play.

89% of those surveyed, who were children in 1987, recalled that they were either “very” or “quite” satisfied with their play opportunities in 1987. In contrast, only 61% of parents in 2017 reported that they were satisfied with their child’s play opportunities today.

Play Scotland’s CEO, Marguerite Hunter Blair said: “We need to do more to halt the decline in children playing freely outside. We need more places to play, better access to play spaces, more street play, and more tolerant attitudes to children playing outdoors.”

Play Scotland is calling for more Play Champions to support children and young people in their right to play. For further information visit www.playscotland.org

 

Be inspired by exceptional live music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is passionate about sharing the experience of exceptional live orchestral music-making and inspiring new generations of classical music lovers. It believes in making concerts accessible to all and now offer 18-year olds and under free admission to all Season concerts – no strings attached! In addition, teachers accompanying groups of pupils can attend free of charge. Full price tickets for the season concerts start from just £16 and under 26s and unemployed tickets are £6, making concerts accessible and welcoming to all. See more at www.sco.org.uk

 

Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2018 is Now on Sale

Bookings are now being taken for Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2018! Events will include a Street Party filled with live music and entertainment, a Torchlight Procession and a Ceilidh under the Castle. A new event for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Bairns Afore, is one for families. Celebrate with the kids, with spectacular fireworks and family entertainment, and all afore bedtime. Book your tickets now at www.edinburghshogmanay.com

 

 

Winner of Giant Frog Sculptures Competition 

Zak Lee Crukshank, age 9 from Livingston - Dedridge Primary School winner of competition to design a frog.

 

 

 

400 visitors engage with Wild about Scotland

An extra special community event took place at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo on Father’s Day, with over 400 guests from five Scottish charities invited to take part in the second annual Wild about Scotland Day. The charities in attendance were Children 1st, Children in Scotland, Aberlour, Circle and Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland.

The event saw over 400 tickets handed out to disadvantaged service users through the five charity partners. The young people and families spent the day visiting the Zoo, engaging with the Wild about Scotland education programme, and learning all about the fascinating wildlife that Scotland has to offer.

By visiting the Wild about Scotland bus, taking part in workshops and exploring the Wild about Scotland garden, guests learnt about the simple steps taken to help safeguard the precious native species on the doorstep.

Barbara Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said: “Wild about Scotland Day caps off a truly impressive year for the project as a whole. We are delighted to be working so closely with our key charity partners around Scotland to provide hundreds of free tickets to the Zoo, enabling people from all backgrounds to connect with nature during their visit.

The Wild about Scotland initiative aims to educate the next generation of conservationists about the importance of Scottish wildlife, teaching them about native species, their habitats and environments and what they can do to protect them. To find out more about the Wild about Scotland bus, visit the website at: www.rzss.org.uk/wildaboutscotland

 

David Lloyd Edinburgh

David Lloyd Edinburgh is a unique club tucked away in the Gyle Park just off Glasgow Road. With so much variety, it's a great way to spend family time together. In addition to sporting facilities, the club has a thriving social scene with plenty of clubs and regular events in which the whole family can be involved, everything from children's birthday parties to firework nights.

Whether looking for a gym in Edinburgh, tennis courts, soft play, or somewhere to relax with family, David Lloyd Edinburgh has exactly what you are looking for. Call 0131 316 2310 for more information

 

IPPR Scotland - Closing the Attainment Gap

Reform Scottish schools to help close the attainment gap. Schools, teachers, parents and pupils should be empowered to help close the pupil attainment gap and boost school performance in Scotland. Research has outlined potential reforms to closing the attainment gap between the richest and poorest pupils. The report, Autonomy in the Right Place, considers the school governance reforms that are most likely to have a positive effect on attainment and those least likely to. For a copy of the report contact: a.singleton@ippr.org

 

Maths Help

Does your child need extra help with maths? Perhaps a child has fallen behind in certain areas, or maybe they are coping well and would benefit from being stretched further. Now is a good time to look ahead to the summer holidays, as it can be an ideal time for your child to receive additional support. Maths Help provides friendly one-to-one maths coaching for all ages of primary and secondary school, focusing specifically on building confidence and improving results. To enquire visit: www.edmathshelp.com or call 07733 366768

 

Big Hopes, Big Future

A leading children’s charity, Home-Start, is launching a national project Big Hopes Big Future. A new Scottish programme designed to meet the needs of children who are at risk of starting school without the skills necessary to get the most out of learning. The programme is funded by a grant of over £81,000 from STV Children’s Appeal to help trained volunteers create a positive home learning environment for parent and child.

Over 56,000 children started school in Scotland this August with up to 19% having at least one developmental concern. Big Hopes Big Future is helping to reverse this trend and help children get ready to thrive in nursery or school. Home-Start in East Lothian will be one of the first to deliver the programme in Scotland. Partner engagements in other areas will help to scale up the national programme over the next three years. More information is available at: www.home-start.org.uk