New teachers in Highlands gather for socially-distanced celebrations after completing a challenging study programme during coronavirus pandemic
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The newest batch of Highland teachers gathered for a socially-distanced celebration in Inverness.
The DLITE (Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education) and RLTT (Rural Learn to Teach) PGDE graduates marked their achievement at Smithton Primary, before joining a probationer programme next month.
Eight DLITE graduates and eight RLTT graduates were joined by Aileen Mackay (leadership and empowerment workstream), Holly Ross (development officer) and for the RLTT programme, Jill Shimi (senior lecturer at the University of Dundee), who joined the celebrations digitally.
Highland Council’s education committee chairman, John Finlayson, said: "Each of these probationers-to-be has worked extremely hard over the course of the last 18 months, with the added pressure of working through a global pandemic, including during lockdown which caused schools across the country to close.
"This has made a challenging programme of study even more demanding and each and every one of them has risen to the occasion, tested their strength of character and resolve, and ultimately got on with the job of learning and teaching.
"It is testimony to their integrity, skills, ability and sheer determination to have gained their qualification and now embark on the next part of their journey into teaching.
"It is delightful that each of the four areas in Highland now has dedicated 'home grown' local teachers.
"I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of myself, the education committee, and the council to congratulate all 16 graduates and wish them all the best."
Related story: Scottish Conservatives propose two-year work guarantee for new teachers
