Pupils from Ballumbie Primary School Unveil New Street Sign for Harvest Field Crescent

Pupils Jamie Cassidy & Jessica Winter, Councillor
Brian Gordon & Class Teacher Pauline McConnachie

Yesterday afternoon, pupils from class P5/6 at Ballumbie Primary School unveiled the new street sign for Harvest Field Crescent.

I was delighted to join North East Councillor Brian Gordon and East End Councillor Lesley Brennan along with staff and pupils from Ballumbie Primary School for the unveiling ceremony.

This brought to a conclusion the pupils' involvement in suggesting a name for the new road that has been constructed just opposite the gates of their school.

It was an inspired collaboration between Councillor Gordon and the School which led to class P5/6 nominating 'Harvest Field Crescent' to the Council. I hope it will become routine now for the Council to include our schools when inviting the public and local organisations to suggest names for new streets. 

This example has demonstrated the value of involving our young citizens in the work of local government and making a difference in their own community. 

First Day at Magnificent new Ballumbie Primary School

I feel privileged to have to have joined parents carers, teachers and of course the pupils of Ballumbie Primary School on Wednesday morning to join the procession from their two former school sites to their brand new school building.

During my time as Education Convener (May 2007-April 2009), Labour brought forward plans for a Council funded programme of school building which comprised another six new schools. This included a replacement Primary School in Whitfield. It was therefore great to see what had started with a proposal described in a committee paper progress to this magnificent new school building on the new Lothian Crescent spine road.

I had three outstanding impressions from my morning visit, apart from the quality of the new facilities for the pupils and the community.
Firstly the very impressive level of support from parents and carers who had turned out to join their children in the processions from the former Newfields and Whitfield Primary School sites to the new school. This support was warmly acknowledged by the Head Teacher, Kim Flynn, in her formal welcome in the new school hall. 

Secondly, the careful thought and time that had gone into the process of merging the two schools and bringing them together on one site with the Community Nursery. Successful transitions like this don't just happen. 

Thirdly, a determination as a Councillor to continue our efforts to renew our school buildings in Dundee so that all our pupils can be in classrooms fit for the 21st century.