BERA New Eight Week Programme of Evening Classes for Summer Term 2016

BERA have just launched their new eight week programme of evening classes in Broughty Ferry for the 'summer' term. These will commence in week beginning Monday 18 April 2016. 

Paper copies of the programme are available from Broughty Ferry Library and all the other usual outlets

Read the programme online at http://ow.ly/10ut9j

BERA Grant from the Council Approved

At a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of the Council on Monday evening 14 September, the Committee agreed a grant of £3000 to Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) for 2015/16.

I was pleased to take the opportunity to address the Committee and make a short statement in support of the continuing work of BERA and their contribution to promoting adult learning in Broughty Ferry. I also reminded the Committee that, while most welcome, much if not all of this of grant would return to the Council in rental payments for school premises.

The following extracts from the Committee Report clarify the grant and the valued service that the BERA volunteers contribute to our community:

"This contribution towards the running costs of the organisation (BERA) will enable them to continue to provide a wide ranging evening learning provision in local community areas, which is very well attended.

3.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 3.1 The grants can be met from the Department’s 2015/16 Revenue Grants Budget (Adult Learning Support Fund). 

4.1 Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association is a voluntary Adult Education Association. The volunteers work in partnership with Dundee City Council to provide evening education, recreation and leisure opportunities for the residents of Broughty Ferry and the wider environs. 2014/2015. .... The group are running three evening sessions across two venues, Grove and Forthill Schools, not only does this organisation provide learning opportunities it also promotes community access to Schools."

Community Use of Sports Hall at Eastern Primary School for Evenings and Weekends

On the Agenda of the Education Committee next Monday (26 March 2012) is a proposal to open up community use of the Sports Hall at Eastern Primary School. This would cover use outside school hours mainly in the evenings and at weekends. This sports hall was originally built as part of the Centenary Wing of Grove Academy but became part of Eastern Primary School when Eastern relocated to the 'old Grove' premises in August 2011.
For many sports women and men in teams and clubs, this news will be most welcome. It should mean that players in our amateur leagues can practise under cover which will be especially welcome during the winter.
Rather confusingly, in my opinion, the report refers to the Centenary Wing which in fact contains the Eastern Primary School Staff Room,  Dining Hall, Reception and Offices as well as the Sports Hall. In addition the some of the space in the 'Centenary Wing' is now used as office space for Sports Development and Education Advisory staff as well as our own Communities Officer for The Ferry, Carole Jenkins.
I have already written to the Depute Chief Executive for clarification that this proposal will not prevent the Sports Hall being used as a Polling Station for future elections.
Read or download the report and get in touch with me if there any matters that you would like me to clarify or take up.

Enrolment Night for BERA Evening Classes from 7pm on Monday 29 August at Grove Academy

Enrolment night for Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) evening classes will be on from 7 pm on Monday 29 August at Grove Academy.

New classes this autumn include:

ZUMBA
'The ZUMBA® program is a Latin-inspired, dance-fitness class that incorporates Latin and international music and dance movements, creating a dynamic, exciting, exhilarating and effective fitness system. It is a class for dancers and non-dancers.’

Exploring the Internet
The class will cover some aspects of using internet sites, including some of the following: Shop/trade safely on line – Tesco, etc; plan a holiday; visit price comparison and money saving sites; consult CAB, DVLA, public utilities and your local council; look for jobs; use of Yahoo for email and Google for information. NB This is not a class for complete beginners to computing. 

Art Appreciation
A fun, informal and informative course on artistic styles and movements in the development of western art history. May include a gallery visit.

Stich and Bitch
Give tired textiles a new lease of life - upcycle and refurbish into bags, cushions, accessories, patchwork etc.

Pilates
Pilates is a complete exercise method that builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body, changing the way it looks and feels. Improve your body shape, posture, flexibility; reduce stress; find relief from aches and pains.

Drawing and Painting
Gain basic skills before moving on to draw and paint still life studies, or brush up on prior skills. Use still-life set-ups provided, or bring your own objects/materials to set up.

For full details of their new programme of classes for the Autumn click on this link.

Classes will run during the Autumn Term for ten weeks starting in week beginning Monday 5 September 2011 and concluding in week beginning 24 November 2011. There will be no classes between 10 and 20 October.

For further details, please do NOT telephone the school, consult the BERA website.

BERA Announce new Classes for the Autumn

Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) have recently announced some new classes to run in their regular programme of evening classes at Grove Academy during the autumn.

These extra classes include:

ZUMBA
'The ZUMBA® program is a Latin-inspired, dance-fitness class that incorporates Latin and international music and dance movements, creating a dynamic, exciting, exhilarating and effective fitness system. It is a class for dancers and non-dancers.’

Exploring the Internet
The class will cover some aspects of using internet sites, including some of the following: Shop/trade safely on line – Tesco, etc; plan a holiday; visit price comparison and money saving sites; consult CAB, DVLA, public utilities and your local council; look for jobs; use of Yahoo for email and Google for information. NB This is not a class for complete beginners to computing. 

Art Appreciation
A fun, informal and informative course on artistic styles and movements in the development of western art history. May include a gallery visit.

Stich and Bitch
Give tired textiles a new lease of life - upcycle and refurbish into bags, cushions, accessories, patchwork etc.

Pilates
Pilates is a complete exercise method that builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body, changing the way it looks and feels. Improve your body shape, posture, flexibility; reduce stress; find relief from aches and pains.

Drawing and Painting
Gain basic skills before moving on to draw and paint still life studies, or brush up on prior skills. Use still-life set-ups provided, or bring your own objects/materials to set up.

For full details of their new programme of classes for the Autumn click on this link.

Enrolment for this classes running in the Autumn will be on Mon 29 August from 7pm at Grove Academy.

Classes will run during the Autumn Term for ten weeks starting in week beginning Monday 5 September 2011 and concluding in week beginning 24 November 2011. There will be no classes between 10 and 20 October.

For further details, please do not telephone the school, consult the BERA website.

Grove Prize Giving at the Caird Hall

Grove Senior Rock Band

Yesterday I attended the Grove Academy Prize Giving at the Caird Hall. This event marked the end of another very successful session at the school. 


During the afternoon our attention was drawn to the breadth of the attainment and achievement of Grove Pupils:

• from eco school to english;
• from debating to digital media
• from cross country to chemistry;
• from hockey to history;
• from water polo to physics and
• from making music to mathematics.

The prize giving also celebrated the work of Head Teacher John Hunter and his Depute Sheila McLuckie, who are both due to retire tomorrow after many years very effective and dedicated leadership of Grove.

Mr Hunter delivering his report.

Mrs McLuckie announcing the award winners.

They both made impressive contributions to the event. Mrs McLuckie was a feisty and unflustered compere and Mr Hunter delivered his Annual School Report with his his usual frankness and eloquence about recent changes at Grove. They will be a formidable act to follow.

Congratulations to Grove Academy Winners of Edinburgh Angus Club Awards

The Edinburgh Angus Club was founded in 1840.  It awards prizes, based on outstanding merit, whether academic or personal, to senior students at the Angus High Schools and Academies, and, in Dundee, The High School of Dundee, and Harris, Morgan and Grove Academies. Congratulations to the recently announced 2011 winners from Grove Academy: Mark Pandrich (higher English); Nicola Lyall (higher French); Katie Thomson (higher Spanish); Liam Walker (higher German) and Angus Stewart (advanced higher English).