`We` are the Gillespie family consisting of Mary (Headteacher at Pirniehall) Alan (tolerant husband in charge of planning) Lewis 13, turning 14 over in Thailand (oldest son/our ICT advisor and critic) Calum 11 (keeps us all right! And loves sports)
Just realised that as someone is always taking the photographs there are only ever 3 of us in them... so Calum is on the right!
Our first entry should record our mounting excitement as we prepare for our journey to Mae Sot to visit and work with the pupils and teachers at Say Ta Nar, a school run for and by Burmese refugees. For those who read this and don`t know about Pirniehall Primary, we are situated in the North of Edinburgh in Scotland. Although we face our own challenges , we are an optimistic school with a fantastic community of children, staff and parents. Click on the link below to access the Edinburgh Grid for Learning website to read something about our achievements and successes in our recently published school review: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Attachments/Internet/Learning/Schools/School_reviews/School_report_reviews/Pirniehall-Primary-School.pdf
How did Pirniehall become involved?
As we had recently achieved our Eco Green Flag we were looking at our next steps and started exploring the idea of a Global partnership link . A neighbouring school , Forthview Primary, had already established a very successful partnership with Hle Bee school in Mae Sot in 2007 . Murray Forgie, a friend of both schools had returned from a visit to the Thai/Burmese border and had identified another Burmese school in the same area who were happy to become involved in a global partnership. And as if it was meant to be , Say Ta Nar and Pirniehall became friends and partners. This means two schools in the Pilton community and two schools in the Mae Sot community are reaching out to each other and are on an important learning journey.
We then had an unexpected and welcome visit from Nan Lung , a teacher who was training in the UK and returning to teach in Say Ta Nar in February. She spent the day at Pirniehall with the pupils and staff and shared a power point she had brought with her of the school , children and teachers . It was great to meet Nan Lung and hear some of her interesting stories. We felt more connected with Say Ta Nar and were able to give her a book of photographs and a Scottish flag (of course!) to take back with her.
Our first photograph of pupils at Say Ta Nar
