PostingsCaledonian WINTER 2015/2016 > UPDATES FROM THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN EDUCATION TRUST WELCOME > FORCES KIDS TOURS SCOTTISH SCHOOLS specially commissioned theatre production A organised by the Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET) in its bicentenary year This is the second of our enlarged has been seen by nearly 4,000 Bicentenary Newsletters and comes pupils from all over . to you as the majority of our The play was performed in celebrations have taken place. schools throughout the country Of the many celebration attended by Armed Forces highlights that stand out, the children. The cast are from strength of the support for the -based Hopscotch Trust’s work has been hugely Theatre Company, which has encouraging. Thank you to all who been producing theatre in have responded so far to the education shows for more than Bicentenary Appeal, your help 25 years. makes a real difference. The other Forces Kids follows the story of highlight for me has been to Kevin whose dad is serving in the see first-hand the Trust’s first Armed Forces. Kevin is anxious commissioned piece of Theatre in about his dad’s deployment and Education, the Hopscotch Theatre misses him terribly. He also has Company’s production of Forces to face the challenges of taking Kids. Watching the children we seek on extra responsibilities at home, to support and their peers while still adjusting to life at a new immersed in the play and clearly school. Pupils watching the show identifying with what they were accompany Kevin on his journey watching was a wonderful as he learns to cope with fear, loss PICTURED: From left: Moira Leslie (RCET), reaffirmation of the work of the and bullying in order to find hope, Natalie Clarke (actor, “Georgie”), James Gibson Trust and the incredibly positive self-confidence and trust. (p7, 11yrs), Shona Robertson (p7, 9yrs), Joe Proctor (actor, “Kevin”), Scott Armstrong (p7, 11yrs) and Rev Dr attitude of those children. The RCET commissioned Angus Morrison (Moderator of the General Assembly of The bicentenary continues and Hopscotch last year to write a play the Church of Scotland) who visited one of the primary we are looking forward to taking that the Trust could incorporate schools to see the performance part in The Patron’s Lunch in June into its education programme to next year. We are proud to be one further help education of the charities of which Her professionals and organisations We wanted to build on the classroom activities, lesson plans Majesty The Queen is Patron and in Scotland support Armed phenomenal success of Forces and an after show discussion to we intend to make the most of that Forces children and young people Kids – This is My Life and use provide young people with the celebration. There is an article about experiencing difficulties in school. the medium of theatre to explore chance to explore their own The Patron’s Lunch in this RCET Education Manager, these issues with younger ones, journey as a Forces Kid. newsletter, which I urge you to read. Moira Leslie, explained: “We mainly P2s and P4s. Forces Kids The resources emphasise Finally, a huge thank you goes to know that some children who encourages empathy and greater the importance of Emotional my wonderful Trust colleagues. I am are separated from their parent understanding within its young Literacy and Active Listening in very fortunate to work with such an during deployment can struggle audience, whether they have raising standards of attainment outstanding group of people. to come to terms with their parents away from home or not.” and improving personal feelings and emotions and this Forces Kids is accompanied achievement and life chances for James MacBain can have an impact on how they by an online Resource Pack for Scotland’s potentially vulnerable Chief Executive, RCET behave and perform in school. P2 – P4. These resources include children and young people. EDUCATION PROGRAMME NEWS

CPD event at Kinloss Primary School, Moray RECOGNISED: Carolyn MacLeod

RCET Education Manager, Moira training courses being offered Leslie, delivered training on to schools and community Emotional Literacy to 26 Kinloss groups across Scotland. Primary School staff. Feedback was extremely positive. “An >>If you are interested, please Introduction to Emotional get in touch by emailing Moira Literacy” is one of three RCET Leslie [email protected] UN Rights of the Child

Moira Leslie and Amanda and peers, there is very little Menzies, Highland’s Armed empirical evidence to bridge Forces Development Office, the gap in knowledge of this have played a pivotal role in vulnerable group. ensuring that youngsters from “Recommendation 58: UK Armed Forces families are and Scottish Government included in the NGO Alternative should determine how many Report to the Committee on the children are affected by a family UN Rights of the Child, that was member in the Armed Forces Recognised in published in July 2015. The and ensure that the views of following is an extract from this group of children are this document. gathered to help ensure that Honours List “Little attention has been their needs are met.” given to children affected by This opportunity arose The Trust is delighted to responsibility for creating a parents or siblings in the Armed thanks to our close links with share the news that Carolyn blueprint for education policy Forces. This group of children Together (Scottish Alliance for MacLeod is among the affecting the movement of can experience anxiety and Children’s Rights) who hosted extraordinary people in the Forces children in, out and worry when a member of their a meeting with the Scottish UK to be recognised in June within Scotland. family is deployed overseas. Youth Parliament and Ms Amal 2015 with an MBE in Her She remains seconded to Whilst there is anecdotal Aldoseri, Vice Chair of UN Rights Majesty The Queen’s Birthday ADES and continues her role evidence that many children of the Child. Honours List. as advisor to the RCET’s affected by a family member Carolyn joined the Royal Education Programme. in the Armed Forces feel >>For further details, please visit Caledonian Education Trust in Chief Executive, James unsupported by professionals www.togetherscotland.org.uk 2008 to spearhead the Trust’s MacBain said: “Carolyn is an Education Programme in inspirational colleague who SCSG guest speaker Scotland. As a result of her gives so much to supporting knowledge and breadth of the educational needs of At the September meeting of welcome Together’s Policy experience in this area, Armed Forces children in the Service Children’s Support and Communications Carolyn took up a secondment Scotland as well as to the Group meeting (SCSG) the , Emma Grindulus as National Transitions Officer work of the Trust and ADES. RCET was delighted to as guest speaker. for the Association of It is tremendous that her Directors of Education in incredible contribution has Youth Philanthropy Scotland (ADES) with been recognised in this way.” Initiative (YPI)

Four third-year students from then present to a panel of Charleston Academy, Inverness, external adjudicators. We are Education events have chosen the RCET as their delighted that they have chosen charity for their YPI project. to highlight the work of the Over the next few months, the RCET will present workshops The students will produce a RCET and irrespective of the at the following education events: 10-minute presentation which final outcome we are very will be initially judged by their grateful to them for raising ■ Highland Network Conferences – Brora 26 January 2015 teachers and classmates. awareness of the work of the ■ Highland Network Conference – Dingwall 28 January If they are successful, they will RCET in their school. ■ SCISS Conference – North Yorkshire 29 January 2015

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen Contact details: The Royal Caledonian Education Trust Chairman: Malcolm Noble 1st Floor, Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 8AD Chief Executive: James MacBain Tel: 020 7463 9232 Email: [email protected] Web: www.rcet.org.uk

2 • Caledonian Postings 2015 Practitioner’s Conference

his year more than a hundred education professionals, T military personnel, local authority, Government and voluntary sector partners attended the RCET Practitioner’s Conference, which took place on 6 October at Dynamic Earth in . The aims of this year’s conference were: a) to better understand the challenges facing children and young people from Armed Forces families in Scotland; ) to share good practice in meeting their needs; c) to benefit from making new partnerships and alliances that will help support Armed Forces children and young people in Scotland. Air Vice-Marshal Ross Paterson, DELEGATES: At the RCET Air Officer for Scotland, opened the Practitioner’s Conerence conference with an update of the RAF structure in Scotland. He explained the RAF’s new the necessity of agencies working in Scotland on their success in Employment Model and what this together to ensure that Armed Delegates also achieving 74 per cent of bids under means for serving personnel and Forces children in Scotland receive enjoyed the the Military Covenant. Clive their families. Matt Blyton, Primary the support they need, which reiterated the Covenant objective Lead Improvement Adviser for North includes support around their health participation and of ensuring Armed Forces children Yorkshire’s Education and Skills and wellbeing needs, to help them involvement of ‘have the same standard of and Service, outlined some of the make the most of their school access to education, including early practical strategies adopted in education and be fully included in youngsters from years services, as any other UK North Yorkshire to cope with their learning, no matter how long the Cadets who citizen, in the area that they live’. change and transitions. they are in Scotland. Dr Allan also James MacBain, RCET Chief Keynote speaker John Carnochan acknowledged the value of Carolyn were invited Executive, gave an overview of CBE QPM gave an inspirational MacLeod’s role as National to share their the Trust’s future work in Scotland speech based on the critical Transitions Officer for Armed Forces including: extending the reach importance of a child’s wellbeing in Children (Scotland) and experiences of the Education Programme; the early years. John warned of the congratulated Carolyn on her award Conference delegates also sharing resources developed by lifetime effect of ‘adverse childhood of an MBE for her work on behalf of heard from Evelyn Cook who RCET across the UK; developing experiences’ and highlighted the Armed Forces families. is undertaking her PhD at the engagement with relevant importance of schools engaging The Very Reverend John Chalmers University of Stirling in education policy matters; greater with parents, emphasising ‘those presented a compelling case for collaboration between the focus on research; and a review affected by the outcome must be recognising that the effects of war University’s School of Education of the Trust’s grant making. involved in the process’. would continue to be felt long after and the RCET with funding from James concluded by announcing Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP, Minister the end of British involvement in the ESRC and the RCET. The study the Trust’s intention, after being for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Iraq and Afghanistan. John stressed seeks to identify successful based in London for 200 years, Languages outlined the Scottish the value of partnership working school procedures and targeted of moving to Edinburgh in Government’s educational priorities, as well as the need for greater interventions that can support April 2016. particularly on closing the attention to be paid to the families pupils, particularly during the Conference delegates also attainment gap. He highlighted of those serving in the Reserves. deployment of a parent to a enjoyed the participation of conflict zone. Evelyn’s findings youngsters from the Cadet are due in 2017. Presentation Team who were Moira Leslie highlighted the work invited to share their experiences of the Trust’s education programme, of being part of the Armed Forces the importance of training and community, and a rousing listening to children’s voices. performance by the pipers, Moira also emphasised the drummers and dancers from need to work together to secure Queen Victoria School in Dunblane. the best outcomes for Armed The conference concluded with Forces children. a lively question and answer Clive Knightley, from the session before drawing to a close. Department of Children and Young People at the MOD, endorsed the >>For more information, you can theme of partnership working. download ‘Moving on From the He congratulated local authorities Conference’ from our website

Caledonian Postings • 3 200 YEARS OF HISTORY

Bicentenary celebration “THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN EDUCATION TRUST WAS FORMED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT ON 14 JUNE 1815. SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE OPENED IN EVERY PARISH ACROSS SCOTLAND TO HELP FUND A SCHOOL TO LOOK AFTER THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SCOTS THAT WERE SERVING OR HAD FALLEN IN BATTLE. FOR 200 YEARS, THE TRUST HAS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF ARMED FORCES CHILDREN.”

For the complete history please get in touch with us to request a copy of A National Institution of the Scottish Nation: A retrospective: 1815-2015 Written by Malcolm Noble.

4 • Caledonian Postings 200 YEARS OF HISTORY

Bicentenary celebration “THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN EDUCATION TRUST WAS FORMED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT ON 14 JUNE 1815. SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE OPENED IN EVERY PARISH ACROSS SCOTLAND TO HELP FUND A SCHOOL TO LOOK AFTER THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SCOTS THAT WERE SERVING OR HAD FALLEN IN BATTLE. FOR 200 YEARS, THE TRUST HAS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF ARMED FORCES CHILDREN.”

For the complete history please get in touch with us to request a copy of A National Institution of the Scottish Nation: A retrospective: 1815-2015 Written by Malcolm Noble.

Caledonian Postings • 5 FUNDRAISING AND GRANT NEWS

Roll of thanks A special thanks to the many individuals and organisations that have supported the Royal Caledonian Education Trust in recent months. The Trust is very grateful to have received donations in kind or funds from the following:

■ Adam and Company plc ■ Caledonian Society of London ■ Cheltenham Scottish Society ■ Craigmyle Charitable Trust ■ Hire Ground Ltd ■ Iris & Alexander Walker Naddell Charitable Trust ■ The Caledonian Club – The Waterloo Ball ■ The Clemence Charitable Trust ■ The Highland Military Tattoo.

>>If you or your organisation would like to make a donation or fundraise for the Trust, please email: [email protected] or visit our website for further details. Latest donation news The Royal Caledonian Education work in Scotland has never been who have contributed to raising Trust’s Bicentenary Fundraising greater and, with the projected this fantastic sum of money. If you Appeal has received more than increase in requests for financial would like to support our appeal £25,000 from supporters and aid via the RCET Grants Programme, then there are lots of ways you can partners in the first six months it will be vital for the RCET to get involved. For example, arrange of a year-long celebration. increase the income generated a regular donation via our website, The appeal was launched in from fundraising and monies take part in a sponsored challenge, May this year to raise vital donated by way of donations, raise money at your work, college additional funds required to bequests and legacies. or school, donate from your continue to develop the work We would like to take this company’s profits or take part of the RCET in Scotland. The opportunity to thank all of the in our ‘Patron’s Lunch’ fundraising need for the Trust’s education individuals and organisations campaign in 2016. A warm welcome The Trust is delighted to welcome Haig House in Edinburgh, as well Karen Stock as its new Grants as administering the current grants, Officer. Karen served in the Royal Karen is working on a review of the Navy for over 20 years and joined Trust’s grant making to ensure that the Trust in June this year from the Trust is providing the support Veterans Scotland. She has an that is needed. Karen and her Trust TEAM: Left to right: Matthew Middler (Fundraising Development Manager), Jen extensive knowledge of the military work will be featured in an in-depth Nash (Marketing and Communications Manager), Moira Leslie (Education Manager), charity sector in Scotland. Working article in the Trust’s next issue of James MacBain (Chief Executive), Gordon Roberstson (Strategic Advisor), Carolyn MacLeod (Education Advisor) and Karen Stock (Grants Officer) initially out of Poppyscotland’s New Caledonian Postings.

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen For more information on the RCET Bicentenary Fundraising Appeal Chairman: Malcolm Noble contact Matthew Middler, Fundraising Development Manager on Chief Executive: James MacBain [email protected] or call 07985 374 665.

6 • Caledonian Postings BEHIND THE SCENES Helping the RCET ‘behind the camera’ n this issue of Caledonian managing the Trust’s events Postings, we feature a member and making sure they are PROFESSIONAL: Jen Nash, Communications and I of the team who is far more properly planned, professionally Marketing Manager used to persuading her colleagues run and successfully executed. to embrace the limelight while We are a small team so whether she remains as she likes to say it’s organising a networking ‘behind the camera’. Jen Nash is dinner for 12 or planning and the Trust’s Communications and preparing for the Trust’s Marketing Manager. Jen joined Practitioner’s Conferences with the Trust as a consultant in 2012. 12 months to go, we all have a She lives in Glasgow with her role to play in making the event husband, Hugo. a success. That goes for quite a lot of the activities we roll out What attracted you to and that’s one of the nice things working with a charity and about working as part of a small why particularly an Armed team, everyone is contributing Forces charity? and making a difference. During my career I’ve worked with several charities dedicated What is your background? to helping disadvantaged young I’ve been in PR for 25 years people. When I was introduced and began my career working to the RCET I was really taken for Royal Hospitals with the fact that here was a NHS Trust. I was regularly asked small, little known Scottish to accompany journalists into charity with an incredible history operating theatres, emergency of supporting families in their units, maternity and children’s time of need when their family wards to cover all sorts of news members had served for our stories. We also had more than country during our time of need. our fair share of celebrity and I was compelled by the aims of royal visits, so this gave me the charity and was excited by valuable experience in PR, media the opportunities I could see to relations and crisis management. promote the work of the charity I then spent a few years working to a bigger audience and the for Shandwick, the world’s largest very positive impact that is being Where do you see benefits this would bring the PR agency at the time, and made both internally and in the the future of the Trust? organisation and the young eventually joined Baxters Food various communities we work It is my opinion, with additional people it supports. Group as their Communications in as a result of the work being funding and resources, the Manager. In 2004, I ventured out carried out by my colleagues. Trust has the opportunity to What are your responsibilities? on my own by establishing position itself in the future as As Communications and Panache Communications and What are the biggest the leading authority and ‘go Marketing Manager I’m during the last 10 years, I’ve challenges? to’ charity in Scotland for all responsible for overseeing the worked in India, published and There is never enough time in the matters relating to the education website, producing information owned a magazine for the over day and managing the huge peaks of Armed Forces children. leaflets, exhibition artwork, 50s, lectured in PR and worked and troughs that come with The RCET’s education co-ordinating photo shoots, on lots of interesting briefs. being self-employed. programme is really gaining contributing to reports and I have found working for the traction in Scotland and again, proposals and responding RCET over the last four years You have recently become given the necessary resourcing, to requests for information. particularly fulfilling and being Trustee of another children’s I believe in time it could come I’m regularly in touch with involved in the bicentenary over charity, is the charity sector to be regarded by educational journalists to discuss new the past year has been one of my where you see your future? professionals in the UK and initiatives or ideas that might career highlights. Young people and education internationally as a showcase be of interest or providing them in the charity sector has been example of the measures that with ‘oven ready’ editorial and What do you find most a large part of my work over can be put in place to ensure photography for the next day’s enjoyable? the last eight years. I find it children and young people newspaper or feature they are The role is very varied. I also hugely satisfying and worthwhile. don’t become casualties writing. I’m also responsible for enjoy seeing the immediate and I doubt I will ever tire of it. of conflict.

Caledonian Postings • 7 SNIPPETS

A big thank you for generous donation

Each year, The Royal Edinburgh Adam & Company, which Military Tattoo makes a generous manages the Trust’s investment contribution to Service charities portfolio, very generously hosted and in recognition of our and sponsored dinner and drinks on bicentenary, the RCET has behalf of the RCET and our invited benefitted considerably this year guests at their offices in St Andrew from the generosity of the Tattoo. Square in Edinburgh. Lt Gen Sir As well as receiving a donation of Alastair Irwin, RCET Vice President, £2,000, this year the Trust was also presided over the evening. The party multi-national and multi-cultural grateful to The Royal Edinburgh awarded an allocation of VIP tickets then proceeded to the Tattoo which casts ever assembled on the Castle Military Tattoo and the Adam & to be used to help further the work celebrated a colourful ‘East Meets Esplanade. It was a fantastic Company for their generosity and network of our charity. West’ theme with one of the largest evening and the RCET is very and kind support.

Like our Highland Military Facebook page Tattoo success The Royal Caledonian The RCET was fortunate to be invited by the Education Trust has recently Highland Military Tattoo to attend one of the launched its new Facebook performances in September. The three-day page and it is hoped this will event took place at Fort George near Inverness. help the RCET reach out to The RCET was delighted to be one of the a whole new section of charities supported and to have an information society who may not have stand throughout the three days as well as previously been aware of invite guests to a performance. Lt Gen Sir the charity’s important work. Alistair Irwin, RCET Vice President, was host to So far, the page has been the Trust’s guests. The Tattoo was outstanding viewed and engaged with with a superb range of gifted musicians and by hundreds of people dancers as well as excellent re-enactors. The including teachers, military RCET would like to thank the Highland Military families, veterans and their Tattoo for their support for the Trust. supporters. The RCET website has also seen an increase in the number of people accessing it from the site since the launch. Join us in celebrating On the page you will find links to articles, photo albums, interesting videos The Queen’s 90th with and some fun stuff too. You can also send a direct message to the RCET via the RCET Facebook page. the Patron’s Lunch To like the RCET Facebook SUNDAY 12 JUNE, 2016 page, simply go to www.facebook.com/ n Sunday 12 June 2016, two days before we across the UK and the Commonwealth. RCETrust officially conclude our bicentenary celebrations, There are three ways you can support the RCET with Othe RCET will be celebrating a significant the Patron’s Lunch: National and Commonwealth event and we are urging 1) Bid to win one of a small number of tickets to attend all our supporters to join us. the Patron’s Lunch on the Mall, London. The RCET, along with 600 organisations that have 2) Organise your own Patron’s Lunch fundraiser in the good fortune to have Her Majesty The Queen as the your community. Patron, will be celebrating Her Majesty’s patronage and 3) Become an RCET Patron’s Lunch Ambassador and the dedication Her Majesty has given throughout her encourage more people to take part. lifetime, on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. More than 10,000 people, including the RCET and >>To find out more about bidding for a ticket, express specially invited guests, will enjoy a hamper style lunch an interest in organising your own event, or to become and live entertainment on the Mall in London. In a Patron’s Lunch Ambassador, contact Matthew Middler addition, there will be community led street parties at [email protected]

8 • Caledonian Postings