Calls for ‘proper consultation’ on new high school

After its ‘embarrassing U-turn’ on school clusters, Argyll and Bute Council needs to rebuild trust with its consultation on a new Mull school campus, says the convenor of Iona Community Council. Argyll and Bute Council is asking islanders what a new Mull high school should look like, as part of its funding bid to the Scottish Government. It held a public meeting in Tobermory

on Thursday “August 11, the same day as the Salen Show, to present its proposals and get feedback. ‘It has long been understood that the facilities and resources at the current Tobermory High School are not up to the required standard,’ the council explained. ‘There is now an opportunity to seek funding to create a new school campus on Mull. ‘At present, what is of foremost i mportance is that the community makes its voice heard on whether we believe a new school on Mull would be a good idea. If it does, this united voice will help drive the project forward. ‘Once this stage has passed, there will be a lot of discussion about the nature of the facilities we want and its preferred location. ‘At this stage, there is no selected or proposed location for a new school. The only question at present is whether we believe a new school is needed. We need consensus to move forward.’ The presentation on the new Mull campus can be found on the council’s website and comments can be sent to mull.campus@argyll-bute. gov.uk A spokesperson for Tobermory High School Parent Council said: ‘Our school

buildings are category C status, the lowest in Argyll and Bute. We have narrow corridors and very little natural light. We have no social space for our pupils and limited space for staff. We could do with better sporting facilities and better facilities for our support department. Have you tried to Without change, park near the school? Then our children’s you know how limited the educational outcomes and space is. ‘This will impact generations to come, so let’s get moving ultimately life and let our council know chances and what we think and need for opportunities will our community.’ be limited Colin Morrison, chairperson of the North West Mull Community Woodland Company, said: ‘Without change, our children’s educational outcomes and ultimately life chances and opportunities will be limited. ‘The community has been keen to see improvements for many years - including a

campaign a few years ago instigated by the older high school pupils themselves. ‘I strongly believe the community needs to get behind the principle that a new school is needed before we have the debate about where it should be situated. Personally I can see pros and cons to both locations. ‘Thursday’s funding meeting was very much setting a context and looking for support in principle. I thought it useful in explaining the process needed and the timeline for the potential development.’ Celia Compton, fi nance and project manager of South West Mull and Iona Development, said: ‘There is no single view among folk in the communities here. ‘Instead, there is a broad range of opinion from those who are happy with the current arrangement of young people in the Ross of Mull and Iona travelling to Oban for high school, to those who would prefer there to be a high school in Craignure that is accessible to everyone on the islands. ‘It’s a complex issue, with wider educational and social opportunities, set against children being away from home during the week and the impact of that on individuals, families and the community. ‘We have been instrumental in sharing information, for example about the meeting on Thursday. Everyone I have spoken to has expressed the view that to have a meeting about this issue in Tobermory, rather than a more central location, shows a lack of interest/respect towards the views of those who live outwith the Tobermory catchment area. ‘There were other issues with the location and date chosen and I understand the meetings were poorly attended. I don’t think this refl ects a lack of interest in the issue. ‘There needs to be a proper consultation with meetings in multiple/central locations, not in the school holidays when many folk are away, with transport provided, good communication about the meetings and other well publicised opportunities for people to contribute their views directly to the council.’ Shiona Ruhemann, convenor of Iona Community Council, said: ‘The pre-engagement meeting was held at a location that made it impossible for Iona representatives to participate and no information whatsoever has been provided to us about the content of the proposal/ application. ‘We understand there are sometimes short funding timelines, but it is very easy, and in fact essential, for the council to share clearly and transparently what its current thinking is, what the options may be, which could be signifi cant for Iona, and what their handling/process will be. This is so important in the current context of trust having been so severely damaged by the Collective Leadership Model proposal.’

Unbecoming comes to Mull

Unbecoming is a mesmerising performance about loss and rage, told by a woman and a mother. The rage, at all we become when we don’t have a choice and society dictates who we should be as women. The loss, of all we haven’t become along the way and how we unbecome. Using traditional song, soundscape, myth and movement, Unbecoming becomes a dreamworld - a rich and sublime space where image, memory, desire and fear all reside. Watch as a woman unravels, layer upon layer stripped away, a human, unmasked. Created and performed by Anna Porubcansky, Unbecoming asks how much of what we are is what we have chosen to be? Unbecoming will be at Mull Theatre on Wednesday October 5 at 7.30pm. Tickets - pay what you decide. Booking – www.antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

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