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All you have to do is ask.......

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Richard Wilson

Wednesday 15 March 2006

I returned to work today after being off for a couple of days. I came back to paperwork as high as an elephants eye, 31 e-mails that needed a response and many others that need the once over then deletion. I also needed to speak to a couple of pupils and remind them of the standards of behaviouir that are acceptable. I had an interesting request from an ex pupil (1958!) in South Carolina, who wishes to visit the school whilst on holiday. No problem it will be done.

We hit gold today! Twice! A couple of weeks ago Scotland on Sunday gave away a free cd about the Battle of Bannockburn. I enjoyed it and felt it could be used in school. I contacted the Scotsman and outlined how I thought it could be used as an interactive homework resource on our website in conjunction with the Hot Potatoes software to develop quizzes, crosswords etc. The problem was copyright. The Scotsman agreed to my request and the actor Brian Cox agreed to waive his fee! Result, I am now free to develop the resource for our website and make up some homework to go with it.

Second Gold. Way back in January I decided to ask Jack McConnell if he would participate in a telephone interview with my P5 class and have the interview put on our site as a podcast. He has confirmed that he will do it, well, actually he said he "would be delighted to accept this kind invitation." More information later.

P5 invite you to pose a question to the First Minister, we will choose some questions posted on our wiki page and ask the First Minister on your behalf, join the fun here.

I can tell you that my P5 class were as chuffed as chuffed can be about this fantastic opportunity. When I returned to my office I reflected on the power of the new technology and opportunities avaliable to our youngsters today and was a bit humbled by the generosity of a leading politician agreeeing to spend time speaking to our P5's all because I had the brass neck to ask.

It has set me to thinking ................who next! As my Granny, an absolutely delightful and missed Londoner used to say, Richard if you don't ask, you won't get. A truism that has mileage.

I would like to start up an oral history project for East Lothian, which would be a series of podcasts which record interesting stories/recollections from residents past or present to be stored as a history archive, perhaps on the exc-el site. Any interested teachers/members of the community feel free to contact me to hatch a plan. For example, I know of an East Lothian resident who was shot by Malcom X in a bar. True! A story I'm sure many would like to hear. Get in touch.

Comments

Great News

Ollie Bray

Wednesday 15 March 2006

This is great news Richard! Well done!

Asking

Don

Wednesday 15 March 2006

Congratulations - East Linton is on the map!!!!

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