12 November 2007
Pupils from St Francis and Niddrie Mill primaries have been showing off their artistic sides recently by making their mark on the hoarding surrounding the new joint campus school site.
The theme of the hoarding design is “Pulling Together”. This represents the ethos of the new £13million school which will bring both primaries into one modern teaching facility that will be at the heart of the community.
The campus will include new facilities such as arts and technology areas, a wide range of flexible classroom spaces as well as a new library and computer suites. Innovative external teaching spaces and excellent cyclepaths and walkways will link the school with the new homes development.
When the school opens in Autumn 2008 it will have a roll of around 700 pupils and will be designed to encourage wider community usage.
All the children were asked to make their own statements on the hoarding, providing individuality and personality to the project. The statements express sentiments of looking forward to playing with new friends and a wish that all schools were together, like the new campus will be.
The pupils were joined by Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Chair of the PARC board and Councillor Maureen Child, one of the community’s city council representatives for Portobello/Craigmillar. The council members helped mark the launch of the hoarding design by taking part in a celebratory dance with the pupils.
The project was co-ordinated by local community arts worker Gus Meechan.