Last day of the School holidays
Towerbank Primary School
Student funding
Eat like an MP
John Muir Way
Schools go back tomorrow with fifth and sixth year pupils all geared up for exams and others who are much younger set to enjoy rounders and netball outside with all the sunny days there are sure to be until the end of term. At least that’s how those of us who left school some time back remember it!
If you need a wee reminder then here are the School Term dates for Edinburgh council schools:
Summer Term
Term starts Tuesday 21 April 2015
Mid-term holidays
- Monday 4 May 2015, May Day
- Thursday 7 May 2015, staff only day to coincide with General Election
- Monday 18 May 2015, Victoria Day
Term ends Friday 26 June 2015
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Towerbank Primary School is in Portobello which is a growing area due to new house building. The council is about to launch a review of the catchment area for this school which will run from 8 May.
The council explained that more children are now living in the catchment area and this review will consider if the school catchment area should be changed. This might mean that Towerbank Primary becomes the local school for a smaller area and the catchment areas of nearby schools are made bigger.
This is the proposed catchment area for the school:
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Open in new tab If this affects you then you should sign up for more information to be sent to you at the beginning of next month. Send an email to cf.propertyreview@edinburgh.gov.uk
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At the other end of the spectrum if you are a student or a parent then you should know that The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is open for business now ahead of the new student year – calling for all students to complete and submit applications for the next academic year (2015-16) to ensure their needs for funding, including tuition fees, are met.
SAAS is responsible for giving financial support to over 160,000 Scottish students studying in higher education throughout the UK. Students must visit www.saas.gov.uk and complete their online application or call the helpline on 0300 555 0505 if they have any questions or are having difficulties filling out their form.
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To echo the current political hot pot, the Parliament House Hotel Scottish Bistro “MP’s (Member of Parliament) Bistro” is set to feed hungry voters for free with less than a month to go till voting day.
A spokesman for the hotel explained: “Judgement has been passed on David Cameron’s eating habits after he was spotted eating a hot dog – with a knife and fork! Whilst Ed Miliband was photographed with a Wallace and Gromit bacon sandwich in hand; it’s safe to say that politicians are simply like everyone else – they need to eat!
“Our MP’s Bistro, however, offers a rather more sumptuous meal to its constituency and with the vote due on May 7th it’s imperative, regardless of the party you support, that you pay a visit, vote with your stomach and get a second main meal absolutely free.
“Located a short walk from the Scottish Parliament – the epicentre that instilled political hype nationwide last year with the Independence Vote – MP’s Bistro is offering voters the chance to dine in April and then dine again in May to receive your free main meal.
“With gastro delights such as fillet of hake roasted with a caper brown shrimp and leek butter to mouth-watering chicken stuffed with mozzarella and parma ham – the only struggle you’ll have is deciding what to have from the menu!
MP’s Bistro has launched the offer running until Thursday 30th April. For more information contact Parliament House Hotel on 0131 478 4000
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The John Muir Way celebrates the first anniversary of the official opening of the 134 mile coast to coast route tomorrow
The aim of the route was to boost participation in the outdoors and it is estimated that 9,000 end to end walkers and cyclists will complete the lowland trail every year.
Minister for Environment Dr Aileen McLeod said: “It’s really encouraging to see the success of the John Muir Way in its first year. It has already proved a big hit with people of all ages, inspiring us to get out and about to explore central Scotland and reconnecting people with nature. It also improves the environment for local communities and benefits businesses along the route.
“I’ve no doubt the John Muir Way will continue to develop over the coming years and that more and more people will enjoy and benefit from it in the future.”
The route runs between Dunbar and Helensburgh and Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network, was the inspiration behind the trail.
He said: “The John Muir Way was designed to be a route accessible to all regardless of ability and experience. It’s been great to hear the feedback from walkers and cyclists about their own particular journey and adventure.
“The key aim in developing the route was to use Muir’s life as an inspiration for young people to take an interest in nature and in the challenges the world faces in dealing with climate change. It has been heartening to see local schools and local communities being inspired by Muir’s legacy and taking ownership of the route in their own area.
“A further benefit has been a boost to local economies. Dunbar traders, for example, are delighted at the noticeable upturn in business while the John Muir Birthplace Trust Museum has seen a 23% increase in footfall and a 45% increase in sales. Over the coming year we intend to do more to ensure that local businesses right along the route benefit directly.”
The route is a flagship project for CSGN and work has been continuing over the past 12 months to further increase the attraction for both end-to-end and local users. Improvements have included a new upland path near Gowk Hill on the Helensburgh to Balloch section and a crumbling shore path between Bo’ness and Blackness has also been replaced with new coastal defences and a multi-use path.
A further upland path is being created through the Kilpatrick Hills between Carbeth and Balloch.
The route was developed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Ron McCraw, said: The John Muir Way is not just a long distance route, it is a valuable asset for the local community with huge potential to enhance the town and the lives of those who live in it with social, economic and environmental benefits.
“The trail is also well placed to promote the benefits of joined up action along the route and in the long term to showcase positive environmental management and landscape improvements.”
For further information about the John Muir Way, please visit www.johnmuirway.org – a dedicated website on the 134 mile route with key information to help people plan their trip. Features include an interactive map and section descriptions, nearby attractions, accommodation and food and drink providers, and details on accessibility.
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Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
