Half century of schooling to be celebrated with new nursery opening.
Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness will celebrate its 50th year this weekend by marking the official opening of a state-of-the art additional support needs facility called “The Butterfly Rooms”.
Depute Provost of Inverness, Cllr Bet McAllister and Broadcaster Nicola McAlley will unveil a plaque to open the new facility at 10am on Saturday 8 December 2018.
Depute Provost McAllister said: “The will be a special opportunity to celebrate the past and look forward to the future of Cauldeen Primary School with its special new facility that with greatly benefit pupils with additional support needs.”
Nicola McAlley added: “I know from personal experience how important a facility the new nursery is and the excellent, caring work that the staff undertake there, so I am delighted to be involved. I know that it will make a big difference to so many children for years to come.”
The Butterfly Rooms will replace the Drummond Special School former nursery provision with two sensory rooms and an outdoor play area and kitchen that is shared with the main school. Six pupils presently attend the new facility which will accommodate up to 32 pupils.
Head Teacher, Angela Downie, said: “Following the opening ceremony the school will be open to former pupils, staff, the local community and current pupils and their parents to view from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 8 December. Tea and cake will be served and there will be many items on sale as part of the celebrations. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new Butterfly Rooms.”
The school has prepared a Cauldeen Primary 1968-2018 time line and pupils will perform a play based on the school’s history. Starring in the play, primary 7 pupil, Poppy Earl will play a time traveller journeying through time meeting four long serving members of staff. Current staff member Catriona Cameron started at Cauldeen in 1968 and is the first person the time traveller meets. Poppy then meets Caroline McLaughlin who was a P7 pupil in 1975 and is now a teacher at Cauldeen. Thirdly Mrs Hay joined Cauldeen in 1987 as a probationer and still has a P1 today. The last person the traveller meets is the cook who joined the school in 1985. The traveller collects Random Acts of Kindness which is a regular theme of life at Cauldeen in the present day. Each year’s group has a range of songs from the different decades which parents will enjoy singing along with.
The school have also planted ‘Golden Woods’ on the school grounds as part of their legacy including Hazel, Silver Birch, Hawthorn, Rowan and daffodils to make a small copse area at the side of the school. Five staff are Forest School trained ensuring regular outdoor learning experiences for the children.