Sighthill Parish New Currie High School 80th Gordon was delighted to attend a Currie Community High School is set to be rebuilt as part of the Scottish recent service that celebrated the Government’s New Learning Estate Investment Programme. New 80th Anniversary of the founding of schools will be built in the first phase of a nationwide £1 billion St Nicholas Sighthill Parish Church. investment programme. After lodging a motion in The Gordon said, “I am delighted to see that Currie Community High School Scottish Parliament recognising the is going to be part of the first phase of new schools and campuses across church’s work over the last 80 Scotland. years, Gordon presented the “We must ensure our schools are inspirational and nurturing places for minister, Dr Tom Kisitu, and the learning. This investment will have a real impact on the experience of Session Clerk, John Wallace, with pupils, teachers and parents at Currie and the wider community. the motion. At the service, Gordon thanked St Nicholas “It really shows the Scottish Government’s commitment to education Sighthill Parish Church for the and its understanding of the significant role that the facilities play in a guidance and support they have child’s learning. provided for many people in the “I look forward to what will be a world-class learning environment at area over the years. Currie Community High School, and the WHEC and Balerno being He said “Rev Dr Tom Kisitu, included in future rounds of expenditure.” previous Ministers, the St Nicholas The decision to rebuild rather than relocate came after a strong Church leaders and the community campaign to retain a high school in Currie. congregations have been, and continue to be, a positive and Gordon commented, “I would like to thank the parents and all those welcoming presence for all in the who campaigned to persuade the Council that a local high school in community.” Currie is the best option. Representing: Baberton, Balerno, Blinkbonny, Bonaly, Broomhouse, Buckstone, Calders, Colinton, Colinton Mains, Currie, Dreghorn, Fairmilehead, Firrhill, Hermiston, Juniper Green, Kingsknowe, Longstone, Oxgangs, Parkhead, Ratho, Redhall, Saughton Mains, Sighthill, Spylaw, Stenhouse, Swanston, Wester Hailes and Whitson. Out and About... Community John Swinney Scottish SPCA Alcohol WHEC Visit School Visit Partnership The Deputy First Minister of On a recent visit to Juniper Green Gordon took to the streets with Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Primary School, Gordon saw the local community police officers to Education and Skills, John Swinney, work of the Scottish SPCA’s engage with local retailers to recently joined Gordon on a visit to education team first hand. promote the Community Alcohol the WHEC. The pupils built and coded robots, Partnership and to remind them They heard from teachers and and played games involving about alcohol-related ASB. students about the support and answering questions on animal Commenting, he said, “The check learning opportunities being welfare. undertaken included ensuring that offered, as well as the unique Gordon said that “It was great to there was a premises license on School Improvement Planning they see the pupils learning about display, a Challenge 25 poster, that have put in place. animal welfare in such a fun way. the alcohol was properly labelled Through the Scottish We should all recognise that we and priced, and that the Government’s Scottish Attainment must treat animals with shopkeeper kept a refusals Challenge National Pupil Equity compassion and this workshop register. Alcohol misuse blights Funding, the WHEC has established was an innovative way for the our communities and it is good to a literacy coordinator, a numeracy pupils to learn more about animals see local shops engaged with the coordinator, a nurture here in Scotland.” problem in this way.” coordinator, a health and wellbeing officer, and a family Contact Details engagement worker. By email [email protected] Following the visit, Gordon said, Home visit Available for those who cannot travel “The WHEC is doing some By phone 0131 443 0595 impressive work to make sure that By letter The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP the students are getting the most Gordon Macdonald MSP @GMacdonaldMSP out of their school journey. It was Monthly Surgeries — No appointment needed great to see that the literacy and st numeracy outcomes for the 1 Monday of the month, 6.30pm Wester Hailes Library 2nd Monday of the month, 6.30pm Carrickvale Community Centre Students in their senior phase have rd improved substantially and that 3 Monday of the month, 6.30pm Currie Library 4th Monday of the month, 6.30pm Oxgangs Library (Not 24 Dec) there are more students leaving th with National 4 and 5’s.” 5 Monday of the month, 6.30pm Ratho Com. Centre (Not 31 Dec) NB: NO SURGERIES DURING PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS Working for Edinburgh Pentlands Published by Gordon Macdonald MSP, 9 Kingsknowe Park, Edinburgh, EH14 2JQ. The SPCB is not responsible for the content of external websites. .