| The Latest News from Donaldson's |
Donaldson's first time at the Linlithgow Children's Gala (21st June)
 Donaldson's were given a very warm welcome at their first ever outing to the annual Linlithgow Children's Gala Day on 21st June. Two of the Donaldson's primary pupils were proud to accept a commemorative silver plate from the Gala Queen. To make the event fully accessible the Gala Committee even had all the speeches fully interpreted into British Sign Language for the day. Donaldson's wishes to thank the Gala Committee for extending their welcome and going out of their way to include our school in their annual event.
Equal Opportunities Committee Launches ‘Removing Barriers' Report at Donaldson's (17th June, 2008)
 Donaldson’s recently hosted the launch of the Equal Opportunities Committee’s latest report published 17th June, 2008. ‘Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities: Review of Progress’ scrutinises the Scottish Government’s implementation of the previous Equal Opportunities Committee’s disability inquiry report.
 Those attending the launch included Convenor Margaret Mitchell MSP, Shadow Minister for Schools and Skills Hugh O'Donnell MSP, Marlyn Glen MSP and Sandra White MSP. In addition to the launch itself the MSPs involved were given a full tour of Donaldson's campus.
Many of the Donaldson's senior pupils also took the opportunity to teach the MSPs some basic BSL signs. The Committee also heard from some current and former pupils involved in our joint RNID project about some of the barriers they face in further education and employment regarding accessibility and support.
For details of the launch of ‘Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities: Review of Progress’ you can download the parliamentary press release here (PDF,102KB).
Primary Department Receives Welcome Donation (4th June, 2008)
 Donaldson's Primary pupils received a very kind donation of a brand new Didi Car today from local Linlithgow resident Emma Hunter (pictured below). Emma recently won the car as a result of a competition in the Linlithgow Gazette and decided to donate it to Donaldson's.
The Didi car is a small ride-on toy for children(or enthusiastic adults!) which is simply powered by turing the steering wheel. Needless to say the pupils were queuing up to get their turn! Donaldson's are very grateful for Emma's kind donation.
‘Fire Ball’ handover represents partnership success (22nd May, 2008)
 A unique sculpture representing the success of a partnership project between Donaldson’s, Forth Valley College and Linlithgow Academy, was handed over to the pupils and staff of the new Donaldson’s on Thursday 22nd May 2008.
The partnership, aimed at building bonds across the three educational institutions through the use of art, has helped pupils and students break down barriers in communication and learn how to work together better. The partnership project was supported by the Scottish Arts Council and jmarchitects and the artwork itself was sponsored by CALA Homes.
Pictured above (from left to right): Gerry More, Chairman of Cala Homes; Cathy Sneddon from Forth Valley College; Janice MacNeill, Principal of Donaldson's and the artist who created Fire Ball Marion Smith.
Mary Mulligan MSP Rose to the Challenge (9th May, 2008)
 Mary Mulligan MSP had her work cut on recently when she joined Donaldson’s Principal Janice MacNeill and Cllr John McGinty at the new school on Preston Road. The former Donaldson’s estate in Edinburgh was renowned for its beautiful gardens, in particular the wonderful rose bushes. Donaldson’s wanted to continue its reputation at their new campus in Linlithgow so had one of the rose bushes carefully removed from Edinburgh and brought to the new school which Mary planted at the landscaped entrance.
Top Hotel Chooses to Support Donaldson's (8th May, 2008)
 
To mark Deaf Awareness Week (5-9 May), Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel has announced that Donaldson’s will be recognised as the hotel’s charity of the year.
To celebrate the announcement, Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel has pledged to donate picnic tables, benches and two brick-built barbeques worth over £3,000, which will be located in the school’s extensive woodland grounds.
Life in a Hearing World DVD - Now on Sale (May, 2008)
A BBC Scotland documentary called 'Life in a Hearing World' was broadcast back in March 2008. The one hour film illustrates Donaldson's journey over a period of 2 years including our preparation and move into our new purpose built school in Linlithgow. During this period they also filmed the lives of some of pupils as they adapted to the new environment and their transition into life beyond Donaldson’s.
Copies of 'Life in a Hearing World' are now on sale for £5 (plus P&P) and can be ordered by downloading and completing an order form. Download an order form by clicking here (PDF 235KB). We aim to dispatch orders within 7 days of receipt of payment.
Please note that the version for sale is fully signed and is therefore suitable for hearing viewers and those who use British Sign Language (no subtitles).
New Donaldson's Prospectus Now Available
The new Donaldson's Prospectus has now arrived.
If you are interested in receiving a copy please choose one of the following options:
Principal Talks for Scotland! (1st April, 2008)
 Following the success of 'Life in a Hearing World' broadcast on BBC2 in March, Donaldson's Principal Janice MacNeill was invited to be a guest on Scottish radio station Talk 107. Janice joined hosts Lynn McCrossan and Ian Gilmore for the AM:PM show.
The radio hosts were so impressed with the work of Donaldson's that we hope to work with them again in the near future. The presenters even managed to get a personal tour of the old Donaldson's buildings in Edinburgh once the programme had finished!
Donaldson's at COSLA (5 March, 2008)
Donaldson's took a stand at this years annual Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). The event offered Donaldson's Principal Janice MacNeill and Head Teacher Mary O'Brien the opportunity to speak directly with key figures from each local authority about our new school and how their areas can benefit from our specialist education, care and facilities. Delegates included Directors of Education, Directors of Social Work and Conveners of Education who all play an important part in influencing future pupil referrals.
Janice and Mary are pictured here with the Right Hon Lord (Paddy) Ashdown.
WE ARE NOW OPEN IN LINLITHGOW! (7th January, 2008)
 Donaldson’s has now entered a new era as our highly specialised school moves into its brand new premises in Linlithgow relocating from the landmark location in Edinburgh’s West End. The new campus, which has facilities for up to 120 pupils, puts Scotland on the map as a centre of excellence for children who are deaf or have speech and language impairment.
Janice MacNeill, Principal of Donaldson’s, welcomed the opening of the new school by saying: “This is a hugely exciting milestone in our 150-year history. Our new building allows us to fully meet modern demands and enables Donaldson’s to continue our work in delivering the very highest standard of specialist teaching and care.”
Media Enquiries
Please direct any media enquiries in the first instance to Porter Novelli Edinburgh. Their contact details are: Angela Casey or Anne McMunn
Porter Novelli
Hanover House
45 Hanover Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2JP Tel: 0131 470 3400
Fax: 0131 470 3444
Email:
angela.casey@porternovelli.co.uk
anne.mcmunn@porternovelli.co.uk
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