Welcome to the Royal Caledonian Schools Trust

In 2011

3 November 2011 - Annual General Meeting

On behalf of all Directors, staff and supporters of the Trust we wish to extend our most grateful thanks and appreciation to Keith Robertson, who after five and a half years as Chairman of the Trust, stood down at the Annual General Meeting held on 3 November. Keith will continue to work with the Trust as a Director.

At the same meeting it was unanimously agreed that Malcolm Noble be elected as Chairman, replacing Keith Robertson. Malcolm has been a Director of the Trust since 2008 and was Deputy Chairman from November 2010 to November 2011.

Catriona Butler has been unanimously elected as Deputy Chairman. Catriona has been a Director of the Trust since 2000.

We also bade farewell to James Grieve, Matthew Shankland, Peter Beauclerk Dewar and May Holmes as Directors of the Trust. We extend our thanks and very best wishes to them all, along with Maggie Harvey who stood down as a Director at the Annual General Meeting in November 2010.

Special Note - Curriculum for Excellence Factfile

If you have been directed to our website from the Curriculum for Excellence Factfile - June 2011 please note that, unfortunately, The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust is unable to assist with help and advice to individuals on changing schools. Our work in this area is with teachers in schools where there are service children, providing support to raise awareness and skills for responding to the particular needs and challenges of interrupted education and having family members on operational deployments.

If you require information on changing schools please contact the Local Education Authority and use the links provided in the Factfile. Thank you.

Caley Scholar - Allison Shanley - Update

Allison has spent the majority of her working life so far helping and supporting young people who have found themselves working in the sex industry and as a mature student decided to specialise in mental health nursing. Allison addressed guests at The Moderator's Reception held at The Fleming Collection in November 2010 and the following is an extract from a recent email update received from Allison:

"This term I am working in The Community Mental Health Team Early Intervention Psychosis Team for Young Aduts.

One in every 200 people in the UK experience a psychotic fit at some point in their life. It is most prevalent in young adults aged between 16-35. It is a reaction to stress. Different people react to stress in different ways. The Early Intervention Team works with people who have had one episode to prevent it happening again. The interesting thing is that it can happen to anyone. Many of these young people have responsible jobs: one of my patients works for an investment bank, and as long as recovery is handled correctly there is no reason for a second episode to occur. However, people still prefer not to disclose their reasons for signing off sick. A key part of the placement has involved shadowing the employment advisor who works for the NHS. She campaigns against stigma of mental health in the workplace, should patients choose to disclose. On the other end of the social spectrum, I have also been working alongside ex-child soldiers from Sri Lanka and the Congo who have a dual diagnosis of Psychosis and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Thank you once again for agreeing to sponsor me and I will continue to keep you updated on my progress".

The Trust will continue to support Allison in her second year of study.

Caley Scholar - Sheelagh Harwell - Update

Please see below an extract from a recent letter received from Sheelagh, a Caley Scholar we featured on the website in 2010:

"I am writing to express my gratitude at being funded for the next academic year by the RCST. I am exceptionally grateful and it will help me pay my living costs in a very busy year where I shall be unable to work to earn any extra money........................................Thank you again for all your help over the past two years and for the upcoming year".

Edinburgh Reception at The Scottish Gallery - 11 May

On Wednesday 11 May the Trust was privileged to hold our first Edinburgh Reception to be held at The Scottish Gallery in Dundas Street, Edinburgh.

The Trust was delighted to welcome two Honorary Vice-Presidents: Major General David Shaw, GOC 2 Div and Air Commodore Harry Atkinson, Air Officer Scotland.

The evening celebrated the partnerships with many different organisations that the Trust works within Scotland, many of which were represented.

Over 65 guests thoroughly enjoyed two sets played by Kyle Warren, a former Caley Scholar, an outstanding piper and a member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Guests were also able to hear from and meet some of our wonderful current Caley Scholars, Lyndsey Fraser, Andrew McMillan and Jackie Orr, who are great ambassadors for the Trust, as well as view the paintings exhibited at the Gallery, most notably by artist Perpetua Pope.

We are very grateful to The Scottish Gallery for supporting the Reception and the Trust by donating the Gallery for the evening.

Keith Robertson, Chairman of The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust welcomes guests

Carolyn MacLeod, Manager, Education Project Scotland addresses guests

Kyle Warren - former Caley Scholar, outstanding piper and member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers

PHOTOGRAPHS ABOVE ARE COURTESY OF CLANDOUST PHOTOGRAPHY

Please see our Downloads Page for the Winter 2010/11 Caley Update

Natasha Watson - Update

Natasha Watson, a Caley scholar, who appeared in our "News" page in 2010, has been nominated for a Scottish Variety Award in the Best Actress category, for her part in the BBC Drama "Single Father" alongside David Tennant.

We send Natasha our congratulations on this achievement and wish her the best of luck.