Official Opening of Two Black Isle Schools
Two Black Isle Primary Schools were officially opened today (Friday 25 January), representing an investment of £7.5 million by The Highland Council.
Former teacher, Mrs Elspeth Weir was the guest of honour at the opening of Culbokie Primary School on Friday morning, while Resolis’ oldest resident, and a former pupil at Newhall Primary, Mrs Essie Munro did the honours at the new Resolis Primary school in the afternoon where her great grandchild is now a pupil. Guests at both openings were treated to musical and singing performances by the pupils who were proud to show-off their new schools.
The £3.9 million school at Culbokie replaces the old Victorian school in the village which was no longer fit for purpose. With a roll of 116 pupils and a further 17 children attending the nursery, the new school offers the indoor and outdoor space and facilities to ensure the very best learning opportunities.
Facilities include six classrooms; a resource and library area; a pupil support room; a nursery room with a separate quiet room; a protected outdoor nursery play area; a large multi-purpose hall which is available for community use during evenings, weekends and school holidays; a community meeting room; a general purpose hall used as a dining room; cloakrooms, toilets and showers; a hard outdoor play area and a grass pitch; a cycle compound and a car parking area with a dedicated drop-off zone.
Head Teacher Shirley-Anne Stevenson said: “The most rewarding aspect for me as Head Teacher has been to see the whole school community come together under one roof. Staff and pupils are now integrated, allowing lots of opportunity for team work, interactive learning, sharing of resources and joint learning experiences. I am particularly delighted with how well the new nursery has become integrated into the daily life of the school. We have all learned, and are continuing to learn, a lot from each other as our school community evolves and flourishes.”
Resolis Primary, which replaces the former schools of Newhall and Cullicudden, has a school roll of 87 pupils, including 16 children who attend the nursery. Before the school was built there was no nursery school provision in the catchment area which includes the communities of Culbo, Kinbeachie, Cullicudden, Wester Brae, Newhall, Balblair, the village of Jemimaville and the surrounding farms.
Built at a cost of £3.6 million, the school offers the same new facilities as at Culbokie Primary School but with 4 rather than 6 classrooms and is very much the focus for the community.
Head Teacher Fergus Haldane said: “In August a new era of schooling began which brought together the children from the two ends of the parish together for this first time. Having all of our facilities under one roof is a new experience for staff and pupils.
The spacious classrooms, with up-to-date technology enhance the good learning and teaching that both Newhall and Cullicudden schools were known for. Coming to work every day to a new purpose-built facility with all its enhanced modern technology will greatly help the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence.”
Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie attended both of the official openings and enjoyed the chance to speak to staff, and pupils about the benefits of both new schools.
He said: “Today is an important landmark in our administration’s goal of placing primary schools at the centre of our communities and working to secure their long term future by developing a wide range of activities and services for everyone to benefit from for generations to come. Both schools are very much community schools in the true sense of the word, with facilities available for community groups to use outwith school time. They represent our hopes for the future by replacing unsuitable premises with state of the art modern facilities. Thanks to advances in technology, this is an exciting time for young people, with new and stimulating ways to study and access information, which could only be dreamt of previously. I wish all the staff and pupils many happy years enjoying educational, leisure and cultural opportunities in these splendid new schools.”
Rose Shirvani, Chair of Resolis Parent Council said: “Ever since the idea of a new school to replace Cullicudden and Newhall Schools was first put forward both PTAs and School Boards were actively involved, from deciding the site, choosing a name, new school crest and uniform and even designing the school garden! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents involved for their hard work and commitment.”
Resolis and Culbokie Primary Schools are two of 11 schools being developed by Alpha Schools (Highland) Ltd, a consortium of Galliford Try Investments and Noble Fund Manager. The main construction contract is being carried out by Morrison Construction. Cawdor Primary, Inshes Primary in Inverness and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis have already opened their doors to pupils. Work on Dingwall Academy, Drummond School, Kinlochleven High School and Primary School, Millburn Academy and Portree High School is progressing well.