More than sickening
The council and residents of the west and central Mainland already know that no other existing school or even a new Anderson High can provide the educational opportunities and environment that they have at Scalloway Junior High School. Both the council and residents know that their sums do not warrant closing what is a thriving and successful school.
The majority of people in Tingwall, Scalloway and Burra know their children are viewed as completely expendable in order to justify their new AHS ambitions, robbing our children and communities for the benefit of one community that is Lerwick. Allison Duncan knows he won’t be shot but is he prepared for the anger that will come from communities well known for their sense of identity and pride in it?
All members of our community must fully support and get behind the coming campaign to save and protect our children’s educational future in our local schools.
We all knew that Iris Hawkins would support her community. It’s more than sickening that after getting themselves elected – when we really need their support – Betty Fullerton stabs us in the back by supporting the closure of Scalloway secondary, and Andrew Hughson is conspicuous by his absence, being invited to meetings and not turning up.
Scotty Dyble
East Voe,
Scalloway.
David Gray
I have just had the absolute pleasure of being present at the annual Scalloway Junior High School Award Ceremony. As a parent of 3 children at the school I only have praise for the teaching team and the way in which they engage with each pupil as an individual and not just a number, knowing every single one by name. Joyce Gear and her management team should be being congratulated on what a fantastic job they are doing in preparing Shetlands young people to take their place in the community.
But instead Mrs Gear, in her last address as Head Teacher, had to talk of how her school was threatened with closure…a feat she undertook with dignity and respect.
As the previous chair of the Derbyshire Learning Community Strategic Management Group with responsibility for schools and colleges across the county I have seen first hand the results of closing local community schools, not just to the kids who go there but also to the local community of which they are a part. Communities seldom recover from the removal of one of their cornerstones.
David Gray
Wester Quarff