Late and Lengthy Guidance for Teachers Issued with Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Education

On Monday morning, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney, issued a letter to all teachers in Scotland along with links to three separate documents:

A Statement for Practitioners from HM Chief Inspector of Education August 2016 (6 Pages)

Benchmarks Numeracy and Mathematics Draft, August 2016 (43 pages)

Benchmarks Literacy and English Draft August 2016 (49 pages)

In his letter he says, 

"I accept in the last few years, that time (of teachers) has become cluttered by a plethora of guidance and advice that, however well intentioned, has led to increased workload, confusion and duplication. I am determined to tackle that problem."

While he promised to deliver this to teachers by the beginning of the new school year, he must be embarrassed that he has missed his target by two weeks with two of the documents unfinished and only issued in draft. Issuing almost one hundred pages of additional guidance may also suggest that he has not made a good start in simplifying and clarifying the priorities for our school teachers.

Clearly more documentation will need to be considered when the final versions of the Benchmarks for Maths and English are eventually circulated. I think, the length and ambition of the new documents mean that it will be difficult for our Head Teachers to find collective time to work out with their staff what this means for their schools until the next CPD days in November. 

This is a disappointing start from the Cabinet Secretary for Education.

Link to Guidance and Benchmarks

Pedal for Scotland Cycle Challenge Sunday 11 September 2016 - Please Sponsor Me

On Sunday 11 September 2016 I will be taking part in the Pedal for Scotland 55 mile cycle ride between Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Please sponsor me. 

I am fundraising for Tushinde Children's Trust - Charity Registration No. SC041330. 

Tushinde supports vulnerable children in the Mathare slums in Nairobi. These children have often lost one or both of their parents to HIV and are being brought up by kinship carers. In response, Tushinde organises child sponsorships which promote positive education and health outcomes.

Link to Tushinde's August Newsletter

Donate now - link to my Just Giving Fundraising Page

Singing, Skating and Dancing Sensation from Dundee Schools Music Theatre Performing Starlight Express

On Friday night I attended a  very entertaining and professional performance of Starlight Express by Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT).

At a packed Gardyne Theatre, the very talented young players sang and danced their way through a series of lively routines. As a regular at these shows, this is what I have come to expect from DSMT. But on this occasion, the staging required the cast to roller skate as well. 

All the young players danced in their skates, sang in their skates and acted on their skates and in motion. In fact, exploiting a tricky loop down to and up from the orchestra pit had us on the edge of our seats.

Thank you DSMT for such a fun night at your music theatre..

Commenting on Lack of Spare Places in Dundee Primary Schools to Cope with A Rising Number of Children

The figures obtained from the City Council support the warnings I have issued in recent years. I have made it clear to the Council that it is continuing to reduce capacity in our primary schools through school mergers and school closures while the number of school pupils in Dundee is continuing to rise. This is a recipe for disappointment for parents and carers when they can't get their child a place in school. 

Bearing in mind that our Primary schools and Nursery schools will need extra places to cope with a doubling of nursery hours by 2020, the Council can't be complacent about this. New school buildings or conversions take a long time, 4-5 years, to put in place. 

When the next School Estate Review is published in the Autumn, we will be able to see whether Councillor Hunter is continuing to ignore warnings that he is gambling with the future of our school children by failing to change direction. I don't want Dundee to be known as Dundee City of Portable Classrooms.

Dundee Pupils Excel in Barnum at Dundee Rep

On Friday night I was at Dundee Rep where I thoroughly enjoyed a very entertaining and 'professional' performance of Barnum.

Senior pupils from our eight secondary schoools, who make up the company of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, were the actors, singers and dancers who combined so wonderfully on stage.

Marceli Guziewicz played the demanding role of Phineas Taylor Barnum. He was on stage for most of the night with a confident presence and credible characterisation. Other stand out performers were Ava Hickey who played Charity Barnum, Jessica Sommerville who played the ringmaster and Tobenna Ogwuda who sang so brilliantly.

The company however all deserve praise for their dancing, singing and their juggling, clowning, acrobatics and other circus skills.

Even by the high standards of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, this was an outstanding performance.

Commenting on Attendance, Absence and Exclusion in Dundee Schools

The Report before the Children and Families' Service Committee on Monday 22 August 2016 about Attendance, Absence and Exclusion in our schools has some progress to report. I think it is important to recognise that the trends on attendance rates and exclusions are at last moving in a positive direction.  

There is however, clearly much to be done particularly in reducing the rate of exclusion of looked after children in our City.   In the latest figures, the exclusion rate for looked after children is 15% compared with non-looked after children at 2%. This cannot be right.  On Monday night therefore, I want to hear more about how we are going to narrow this gap.

One of the other issues which is not mentioned in the report is about lateness. Unfortunately persistent lateness is still an issue for a significant number of pupils in our primary and secondary schools. I know some of our schools have specific initiatives to try and break the cycle of starting school late and thereby disrupting learning several days in every week. In future, I think lateness should also be reported along with attendance, absence and exclusion.

Finally, I think parents and carers whose children attend regularly and punctually and are not excluded would like to know more about how our schools are providing constructive alternatives to exclusion within school in a way that does not disrupt the learning of the majority of pupils who want to learn.

Temporary Closure of Brown Street Broughty Ferry from Tuesday 16th August 2016

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY
being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway resurfacing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Brown Street, (from No.77 Brook Street to the North side of Long Lane) Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 16th August 2016 for five working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

The terms of the DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (DUNDEE (ONE WAY TRAFFIC) CONSOLIDATION) 1987 will require to be suspended where they relate to ONE WAY TRAFFIC in Long Lane for the duration of the above

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Brook Street/Fort Street/King Street/ and reverse

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Mike Galloway
Director of City Development

Ferry Food Fayre Sunday 14 August 2016 12:00-16:30

Once again, Food and Hospitality members of the Broughty Ferry Traders Association have got together to showcase the wealth of the food and hospitality available in Broughty Ferry. The event is has grown after the overwhelming popularity of the 2015 event and promises to give locals and visitors an opportunity to meet their local food producers and find out more about where their food comes from.

The event, at the Best Western Woodlands Hotel on Sunday 14 August 2016, is free and features opportunities for the public to get involved with competitions including The Great Broughty Bake Off and The Great Broughty Shake Off for cocktail lovers. There will also be demos, raffles, tastings and talks.
 
The event has been co-ordinated, again by Clementine Co-owner and BFTA Committee Member, Jan McTaggart:
"Last year’s Ferry Food Fayre was incredibly popular. In fact, it was much, much busier than we had expected! It was lovely that so many folk turned out to support our new event – which showed that there’s quite an appetite for this kind of thing. So, we knew we simply had to do it again... but bigger and better!"
 
The Woodlands Hotel has made everything possible by providing the whole of the ground floor including the restaurant, bar, library and outside areas which means that there will be separate spaces for the talks and demos, the Bake Off display and for the stalls. Scott Brothers are doing a barbeque outside and the Woodlands Hotel Head Chef is opening up his kitchen for a unique, behind the scenes experience where customers will be able to buy food directly from the people who cooked it. Like last year, the Ferry’s incredible cafes will be there – including new business Lulu’s Gluten Free Goodies – so everyone will be able to enjoy some cake!
 
This year the organisers of the Food Fayre encouraging people to enjoy the walk to the Woodlands to help avoid traffic congestion in the area. It also means that they’ll be able to enjoy the offerings from Ogilvy Vodka and Aitkens Wines! And for people who really need to take the car- they’ve got some willing volunteers from the Traders' Association who will help direct the traffic around the car park entrance. They’ve also had the kind offer of a free mini bus from Barnhill Travel – so they may be able to offer some free transport too.
 

Ferry Bike Shop Cycling Challenge 23-24 July 2016

Can you get on your bike in The Ferry for the Tour de France Challenge and at the same time support the Wave 102 Help for Kids charity?

Alex Cooper, Director of The World of Cycles bike shop in The Ferry is challenging folk to raise money for Help for Kids by cycling in the same conditions as Le Tour de France during the final stage of the competition! Each person will be challenged to cycle for an hour on either Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th July 2016, with various levels of conditions available to challenge everyone from beginners to experienced cyclists.

The challenge will take place at the World of Cycles store in Gray Street Broughty Ferry where experienced staff will be on hand to help and encourage riders. Le Tour de France will be on the big screen – plus Wave 102 will be live from the premises on Sunday 24th July. To finish off the celebrations, there will be special prizes awarded for various challenges completed – plus drinks and nibbles!

Limited places are available! Registration fee is £25, with additional fundraising opportunities and all the money raised will be donated to Help for Kids. Please pre-register your interest below and your place/time slot will be confirmed by email or telephone, please note that the registration fee will be required at this point.


Go to Wave 102's website to register www.wave102.co.uk

World of Cycles
57 Gray Street
Broughty Ferry DD5 2BJ
tel 0330 223 2254

Temporary Closure of Gray Street Broughty Ferry from Tuesday 26th July 2016 for 3 working days

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)
THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY
being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of drainage works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Gray Street, (from its junction with Brook Street to its junction with King Street), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 26th July 2016 for 3 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

The terms of the Dundee City Council (Dundee (One Way Traffic) Consolidation) 1987 will require to be suspended where they relate to one way traffic in Long Lane (as detailed above) for the duration of the above
Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Brook Street/ St.Vincent Street/King Street/ Fort Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.
Mike P Galloway
Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Eid Dinner in Stobswell

At the invitation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Dundee, my wife Rowena and I attended their Eid Dinner on Sunday evening. 

The Eid Dinner is the celebratory meal to mark the end the holy month of Ramadan. While fasting is a well known facet of Ramadan, perhaps less known by non Muslims is that it is also a period of prayer, charity-giving and self-accountability.

This year the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Dundee decided to share their Eid celebrations with the wider community in Dundee.

One of the pre dinner speakers was Emma White from The Archie Foundation in Tayside who are currently trying to raise £2 million towards the cost of increasing the number of operating theatres for the Children's Hospital at Ninewells. During the current year, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Dundee are focusing their fundraising efforts on supporting the Archie Foundation.

I appreciated our warm welcome and enjoyed the meal and the company of their members and guests. It was good to hear about the plans of the Ahmadiyya Society in Dundee including securing some premises and extending their charitable work.

As-Salaam-Alaikum/Peace be with you.

Link to more information about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK

Broughty Ferry Gala Programme Sunday 10 July 2016

Gala Week Car Boot Sale - Not To Be Missed! Sunday 10th July from 9am
Sponsored by Forte Beauty Clinic Venue: The Esplanade opposite Glass Pavilion. (Also see Saturday.)
Great fun way to empty the attic and make some cash! Entry Fee: £10 per car space

Secret Gardens Of Broughty Ferry, Sunday 10th July, 1pm to 4pm
Organised by Broughty Ferry in Bloom.
Back by popular demand - The Secret Garden Trail, some are more secret than others, some are always open to the public, some are private and others are hidden behind gates or a wall but worth a visit. Pick up a Secret Garden Trail Map from the library or Hotel Broughty Ferry and have it stamped at each garden as you go. For more information about Broughty Ferry in Bloom Tel: 433769. Entry Free!

Rock and Roll Bingo, Sunday 10th July, 7.30pm
Everything from the 60s to the 00s, prizes galore followed by Quiz With Richard
Venue: The Royal Arch
Karaoke, Sunday 10th July, 9pm
Venue: The Fort Hotel and Bar

Flooding Again at Junction of Cedar Road and Forthill Road

Early evening yesterday, after a squally rain shower, there was once again flooding at the bottom of Cedar Road close to the junction with Forthill Road. I was on my way home from a social event and stopped to record what I could see.

As you can see from the video, liquid is pouring up out of the drains. Less obvious is that with the rain water run off in the drains there is also unpleasant and unhealthy household sewage which is also being flushed out of the drains onto the roadway and pavement. On the basis of previous flooding episodes at this location, it is most likely that when the waters subside, there will be sewage residues on the road and pavement.

I have informed Scottish Water and the City Engineers.

Now that the Council and other regional partners has a Flood Risk Plan, and an area such as this which is frequently subject to flooding shouldn't be ignored any longer. I hope that the drainage system will be enhanced to cope with current and future peak flows of domestic sewage and waste water as well as the rain water run off from Cedar Road and Forthill Road. 

More immediately, I have asked Scottish Water to clean up the area and remove sewage residues from the road and pavement once the flood waters have drained.

Broughty Ferry Gala Programme Saturday 9 July 2016

Gala Week Car Boot Sale - Not To Be Missed! Saturday 9th July, from 9am
Sponsored by Forte Beauty Clinic
Venue: The Esplanade opposite The Glass Pavilion.

Great fun way to empty the attic and make some cash! Entry Fee: £10 per car space

DJ, Saturday 11th July, till 2am
Venue: The Fort Hotel and Bar

YMCA Broughty Ferry Celebrating 150 Years

Last night, my wife Rowena and I attended the YMCA in Broughty Ferry for their Wine and Cheese party.

This is one of a series of events to mark the Y's 150th anniversary in The Ferry. 

As well as looking back, members, volunteers, staff, friends and supporters were also there to recognise and support the Y's continuing youth and community work in Broughty Ferry.

A number of the groups that meet in the YMCA performed for us including the Ballet Class.