Schools news round-up: Space, tennis and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest news from Scotland’s schools. PUPILS from The High School of Glasgow met former astronaut Anousheh Ansari at the Glasgow Science Centre. Ansari became the first female space tourist, the first astronaut of Iranian decent, and the first Muslim woman in space when she spent 11 days on the International Space…

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Islands share £100m investment

ORKNEY, Shetland, and the Western Isles will share £100 million of public funding once an “islands growth deal” is signed today. The deal pulls together cash from the Scottish and UK governments. Ministers hope the money will trigger a further £393 million of investment from businesses over the next ten years, creating up to 1,300…

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‘Festival of Farming’ gets underway

THE Royal Highland Education Trust’s (RHET’s) “Festival of Farming” has begun. More than 3,000 school pupils are due to visit Scotland’s farms over the next fortnight. Alistair Marshall, chairman of the RHET, said: “Our ‘Festival of Farming’ will run from 7 to 18 November and, during this time, we will have a designated webpage where…

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Science award for Strathallan Prep School

STRATHALLAN Prep School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM). The accreditation recognises the quality of science teaching at the preparatory school in Perthshire. Pupils have been receiving science talks from palaeontologists, an oil engineer, dental students from the University of Glasgow, and a bird breeder. Clare Angus, head of prep school science,…

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St Leonards and Ardvreck triumph at schools contest

TWO Scottish institutions have carried off prizes at the Independent Schools of the Year awards. St Leonards School, which is based at St Andrews in Fife, won the “Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience” category. Ardvreck School, a preparatory institution based at Crieff in Perthshire, shared the “Independent Prep School of the…

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Ready Player One: Strathallan opens ‘esports’ suite

PUPILS at Strathallan School can now play “electronic sports” (esports) against each other in a new facility. “Esports” are computer games that are played on professional equipment, with Scotland fielding an esports team at this summer’s Commonwealth Games. “It’s a great time to be a student at Strathallan,” said former pupil Josh Martin. Martin, who…

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Scots Language Awards winners revealed

TIKTOK star Doric Dad and writer Liz Lochhead were among the winners at Saturday night’s Scots Language Awards. Hosted by poet Len Pennie and columnist Alistair Heather, the awards were presented at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre. Beth Malcolm gave a special rendition of Hermless – an alternative Scottish national anthem – with Lewis and Euan McLaughlin…

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Strathallan School pupils spread their wings

FORMER pupils from Strathallan School in Perthshire are starting their university courses after celebrating their exam results. Charlotte Gilmour, who was the Perthshire school’s captain, is in Boston as she starts her first semester at Harvard University. Gilmour, who was also the captain of the girls’ rugby team at the independent school and a player…

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Merchiston Castle goes co-ed for ‘forest school’

Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh has unveiled plans to open a “forest school” in its grounds for both boys and girls. Forest schools, which involve teaching children in the outdoors, have become increasingly popular in recent years. The independent boys’ school will open a outdoor nursery school in September 2024 for children aged between three…

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River City marks 20th birthday

SOME familiar faces are returning to Shieldinch for a special River City episode to mark the TV soap’s 20th birthday. Filming began this week on the anniversary episode, which will be broadcast at the end of September. In the programme, Bob O’Hara and best mate Angus Lindsay wake up “in a parallel dimension where all…

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