A RURAL community in South Ayrshire is benefiting from a new £1.5 million eco-friendly primary school – the first of its kind in the South Ayrshire Council area.
Complete with a feature grass roof and environmentally friendly credentials – including the use of sustainable building materials, high levels of insulation and low cost heating powered by air source heat pumps – the new Colmonell Primary has transformed education accommodation in the small rural village.
Pupils and staff moved into the new building, which is located around ten miles from Girvan, after the winter school holidays and are now enjoying first-class, modern teaching facilities including two semi open plan classrooms, a pupil support room and a nursery class.
The new building also boasts a gym/dining hall suitable for a wide range of sporting activities including gymnastics, drama and badminton as well as a dedicated lifelong learning room, which is available for community use.
Councillor Hywel Davies, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning, said: “The new Colmonell Primary is a major achievement for this Council and the local community, and I am delighted it is now being enjoyed by the people that matter – our pupils, our staff and the local community.
“This significant investment in a small rural school like Colmonell is testament to our commitment to rural communities and the provision of education and community facilities of the highest standard. There is no doubt this been achieved in our new school.
“The school’s unique design ensures that it enhances the local landscape and blends into the village, while ensuring the children benefit from outdoor activity and garden areas as well as ‘external classrooms’ that make the most of the natural environment.
“The new Colmonell Primary combines quality education and teaching with quality accommodation, and I have no doubt everyone involved with the school will enjoy settling into their new home.”
Cindy O’Driscoll, head teacher of Colmonell Primary, added: “It’s been very exciting to follow the progress of the new school over the last two and a half years, and I am thrilled that we have now moved in to this fantastic eco-friendly building.
“While we always strive to provide our pupils with the best possible start in life, the opportunities offered by our new school will make a big difference for them, with purpose-built modern facilities that will really help us deliver Curriculum for Excellence.
“The feedback from everyone has been so positive, and it was great to watch the children’s reactions as they came into the school for the first time. This is the start of a new era for Colmonell Primary, and I know that we’re all going to be very happy here.”
Comments from the excited pupils include:
“In the gym hall there is an amazingly loud sound system that we use for PE every morning.” Adele Clark P7
“Our new school is eco-friendly. The lights are fantastic, as they go off when no-one is there.” Lexus Brooks P6
“Our fantastic new school is bright and colourful, which makes it fun to learn in.” Tania McTaggart P7
“We have a library in our new school which has lots of fascinating books and comfy chairs.” Lesley Ann Gray P6
“Our new school is great because the gym hall has a super sound system and fun climbing frames.” Kayleigh Robertson P1
“Our new school has got a grass roof which is helping the eco-system.” Cameron Baird P6
South Ayrshire Council is a founder member of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.
THE ELITE AYRSHIRE BUSINESS CIRCLE
The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is an association founded in 2007 by some of the top companies in Ayrshire.
Its purpose is to publicise its members, and to celebrate and promote the wealth and rich diversity of entrepreneurial talent and business excellence that abounds here within the county boundaries of Ayrshire.
Members include the Clydesdale Bank, Ayr Racecourse, Western House Hotel and South Ayrshire Council, and member company activities include broadcasting, building and construction, architectural practice, estate agency and land management, chartered accountancy, insurance broking, legal services, golf club management, marketing services and brand creation, web design and public relations consultancy.
Frazer Coogans Commercial Solicitors senior partner Norman Geddes is executive chair of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, and managing director is public relations consultancy, Fame Publicity Services proprietor, Murdoch MacDonald.
Founder members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle:
South Ayrshire Council http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Clydesdale Bank http://www.cbonline.co.uk
Turnberry Hotel and Golf Resort http://www.turnberry.co.uk
Ayr Racecourse http://www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk
Western House Hotel http://www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk/hotel.html
CKD Galbraith Property Consultants http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk
Frazer Coogans Solicitors http://www.frazercoogans.co.uk
Accident & Injury Claims Centre http://www.accidentclaims.com
MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers http://www.mackaycorporate-brokers.com
Donald Ross Estate Agents: http://www.donaldross.co.uk
Westgale Ltd Building Contractors http://www.westgale.co.uk
Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants http://www.sinclairscott.com
Paligap Creative Agency http://www.paligap.com
ARP Lorimer & Associates Architects http://www.arpl.co.uk
JB Management – Training Providers http://www.jb-management.com
Brunston Castle Golf Club http://www.brunstoncastle.co.uk
Visimetrics http://www.visimetrics.com
Fouters Restaurant http://www.fouters.co.uk
Christie Financial Planning Ltd http://www.christiefp.com
Allison Lightbody Waddell Chartered Surveyors http://www.alwsurveyors.com
Kestrel Press http://www.kestrelpress.com
Fame Publicity Services Public Relations Consultancy http://www.famepublicity.co.uk
West Sound Radio http://www.westsound.co.uk
http://www.westfm.co.uk
Easton Property
Easton Kitchens & Bathrooms
For further information about The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and to apply for membership, e-mail eliteayrshire@gmail.com
Website: http://www.eliteayrshire.com
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Fame Publicity Services. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Murdoch MacDonald
Email: famepublicity@aol.com
Website: http://www.AyrshireScotlandBusinessNews.com
