Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP today (Friday 15 June) performed the official opening ceremony at Orkney’s newest school.
The Scottish Government supported the construction of Evie primary school with a grant of £1.36 million from the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme. Orkney Islands Council contributed £1.74 million towards the project.
Today many of the 38 primary pupils and 16 nursery children watched as Mr Swinney unveiled a plaque marking the official opening, along with parents, staff and people from the local community.
Mr Swinney said: “Working in partnership with Orkney Islands Council and Scottish Futures Trust, the Scottish Government has provided over £1.4million to help ensure that the local community has access to dynamic, high tech facilities which will make a real difference to educational outcomes.
“It was a pleasure to be asked to officially open Evie Community School, which is a fantastic new state-of-the-art facility that parents, learners and staff can all be proud of.”
Council Convener Harvey Johnston said: “A new school serving Evie and Rendall had been an aspiration for the Council and the local community for many years.
“We are grateful for the assistance we received from the Scottish Government in getting the project off the ground. From the warm welcome offered to the Deputy First Minister today, it is all too apparent how pleased the children and staff are with their new school.”
Councillor Rob Crichton, Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, said: “It was proving increasingly difficult to keep the old Evie primary fit for modern day requirements.
“We are very proud of the new school. It is light and airy and insulated to the highest standards – a tremendous learning environment for the pupils and a fine building that will serve the local community well for many years to come.”
Head teacher Ingrid Rendall added: "We are delighted with our new school building as it offers a very positive learning environment with space that we can use flexibly, access to the outdoors from all classrooms and a community wing which serves the parishes of Evie and Rendall well."
