SNP Councillor Drew Hendry

Archive for May, 2010

I was delighted to be asked to officially open the new "Drop off" point near Farr primary school in my ward of Aird and Loch Ness. Many people had worked hard to finally deliver this innovative solution to improving safety for children accessing the school and it has been a pleasure to help them whilst watching a school and community achieving this together.

Farr is an older school built long before today's traffic levels would have even been considered possible and as such was built on a raised area and near a bend in the road. When parents were dropping off pupils previously they had the joint problem of blocking up and double parking at the small school entrance and having to watch out for non school traffic, often travelling too fast for comfort.

Whilst discussing the issue with the headteacher, Sheila Lamont, in 2007, we chatted about how we might look at other ways to solve the problem and came up with an idea to investigate using the nearby community woodland (which is adjacent to the school). So the plan began to evolve. 3 years later and with huge support from Strathnairn Community Woodlands, spearheaded by Peter Christie and Donald Longden, Highland council's safer routes to school, the parent council, local community leaders and Sheila's and her staff's own efforts the drop off point is now a reality.

Pupils can now enjoy being dropped off safely near the school, play in a safe area whilst waiting and then join a "Walking Bus" with a teacher for the short and pleasant walk through the wood to school each morning. Early signs are that parents are adapting well to the idea and pupils are enjoying it immensely.

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SNP Councillor, Drew Hendry, Aird and Loch Ness, has welcomed the planned refurbishment of Aldourie Primary School near Dores. There will be refurbishment to the older building to provide a new classroom, dining area and office accomodation. There will also be a modern double demountable classroom added to the provision.

Speaking at the Education, Culture and Sport Committee he said "The problems highlighted in the recent inspection showing major fabric issues such as dry and wet rot do not tell the whole story. There have been on-going accommodation problems at the school including poor toilet accomodation and big difficulties with the layout. It is a huge credit to the teaching staff at the school that they have mainted a vibrant learning environment whilst coping with these difficulties. I hope that the work will allow the children to enjoy an improved learning experience."

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Another Aird and Loch Ness school, Dochgarroch Primary school, has come in for praise after a Quality Improvement officer visit. Focussing on Learning and Teaching the report points out the some key areas where the school has done very well.  I am a firm believer that relationships are at the centre of success for schools and at Dochgarroch there is a strong bond between the Parents, the pupils and the staff. The school really is the centre of the community.

Highlights from the report state that Dochgarroch pupils are generally "well motivated and treat each other with respect" it says that "Standards of attainment in general are impressive" and "Learners are proud of their school, work very well cooperatively and and support each other effectively"

I would like to congratulate Mrs Donald, her staff and the pupils at the school, for the recognition in the report and it serves to underline what I have always found when I visit.

The quality of education in the schools in our ward, Aird and Loch Ness, is very good and has been, in most cases, for years. I look forward to taking the opportunity to highlight further successes for Dochgarroch and the other schools as reports come in.

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Work to begin on Wellington lay by “within the next two months” Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor welcomes outcome of meeting with Transport Scotland.

A meeting requested by Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor, Drew Hendry between Transport Scotland and Aird and Loch Ness Councillors has been described as “helpful” after commitments to begin work on repairing the Lay By were given by Transport Scotland officials “within the next two months”. The Lay By, an important tourist stop has been closed to traffic following a collapse of the retaining wall. The wall, built long ago, is a mixture of Mortar and Drystane construction and has been under more pressure than would have been intended when it was built. This has led to the collapse of parts and concerns about safety. Any new work on the retaining wall will be carried out in sympathy for the location and will be designed to fit with the lochside.

Aird and Loch Ness SNP Councillor, Drew Hendry said “I am delighted that we will finally get some action as a result of the meeting and we have been given a commitment that work will begin soon to reinforce the collapsed area with rock to build it back up again. Depending on how this work goes we have been advised that the Lay By, or a good part of it may be open during the remainder of the tourist season.

My ward colleagues and I have also asked for work to be done to make the Lay By better for the future. We have suggested that there is a new pathway down to the beach, better signage and that to prevent future damage that an order to prevent Heavy goods vehicles parking there is put in place. After hearing from Transport Scotland I am hopeful that these measures will be taken forward. They have promised in future to make their plans and work for the site visible on their website.”

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It may be a long time ago, but I remember well taking my first school report home. It was in a sealed envelope and, at my school, none of us had been given a clue as to what was in it and what it said. It led to a nervous couple of miles walk home and I am sure it took twice as long as usual.

Whatever it did say is long forgotten and nowadays it is reports on Schools themselves that I am handed to take home and read.

I have, since becoming a Councillor in 2007, been an admirer of the way things are done in many of my ward's schools. There are are a number in Aird and Loch Ness that manage to create a great environment for learning and a sense of community. One of these is Kirkhill Primary.

Along with other visits, I often hold my surgeries there and talk with the headteacher and staff, see happy, involved children and the results of their work and projects.

I think it is important, amongst the bad news that we hear so much of, that we pause to celebrate those things that are a source of strength in our communities.

The children and teachers at Kirkhill school have just received a great report from the School inspectors and I would urge anyone interested to read a copy of the report. Reports these days don’t always mark things as A, B or C but if they did then I think that the work being done in Kirkhill school by both the staff and pupils would get an A plus.

Christine, the School’s Head teacher deserves a lot of praise for her work, but when congratulated she immediately points out the work of all involved, including those who help to maintain the school right through to the parents both in the parent council and out with.

There are tough times ahead for education and other services, as budgets get stretched, and schools such as Kirkhill  will also face challenges as a result. I hope that the right decisions are taken when it comes to supporting our schools in Highland.

In hard times we need strong education and we must all work to ensure that the jewels in the crown of our communities are protected from expediency and short term decisions that could lead to problems over time.

I am always happy to discuss any issues, including education, and would be delighted to hear your views if you would like to get in touch.

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