Latest news with #DBE

Edinburgh Reporter

4 days ago

Politics
Edinburgh Reporter

Dame Katherine to receive life peerage

The Prime Minister has just announced that Dame Katherine Grainger is to become a life peer. The government outlined Dame Katherine's success which has led to the peerage being conferred upon her: 'Dame Katherine Grainger is Britain's most decorated female rower and the only female athlete – in any sport – to gain medals in five consecutive Olympic Games. Following her completion of two terms as Chair of UK Sport, Dame Katherine was appointed as Chair of the British Olympic Association. 'Born in Glasgow, Dame Katherine read law at the University of Edinburgh and then obtained a Masters in law from the University of Glasgow and a PhD from King's College London. Dame Katherine began rowing in 1993, winning a silver medal at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, before winning a gold medal in London, and a further silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, as well as eight World Championship medals, including six gold medals. 'Dame Katherine is on the board of the Youth Sport Trust and is patron of Netball Scotland, Winning Scotland and the National Coastwatch Institution. She was appointed a DBE in 2017, following previous awards of MBE and CBE. Katherine was previously Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow and Honorary Colonel of the 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment of the British Army. She is also the Honorary President of Scottish Rowing.' Other new cross-bench peers announced today include Sir Tim Barrow, GCMG LVO MBE – lately National Security Adviser. Former Second Permanent Under-Secretary and Political Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Dr Simon Case CVO – lately Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. Former Private Secretary to HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Former Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Dame Sharon White, Lady Chote, DBE – former Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, former Chief Executive of the Ofcom and former Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury. A life peerage cannot be inherited. Katherine Grainger & Ruth Davidson appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival © 2019 Like this: Like Related

What you need to know about 2025 school holidays

The Citizen

4 days ago

The Citizen

What you need to know about 2025 school holidays

What you need to know about 2025 school holidays As exam season is already underway for some learners, and fast approaching for others, many students, and parents, are beginning to ask one big question: When is the next school holiday? Here's a breakdown of what the rest of the 2025 school year looks like for South African learners: Term 2 ends Friday, June 27 Learners will head into a well-deserved winter break after a busy term. Term 3 begins: Tuesday, July 22 The third term runs for 11 weeks and ends on Friday, October 3. Term 4 begins: Monday, October 13 The final stretch of the academic year begins after a short spring break. Public holidays to note: Heritage Day falls on Wednesday, September 24, offering a mid-week pause for both learners and teachers. School year ends: Friday, December 12 Schools will officially close for the summer holidays, giving families time to rest, travel, and celebrate the festive season. Knowing the school calendar helps families, caregivers, and community organisers stay one step ahead. Here's how it can help: Plan holidays without interrupting school schedules, Arrange childcare during breaks and public holidays, Book extra lessons or revision sessions well in advance, and Support learners in managing stress and staying on top of assignments. While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) sets the national calendar, individual schools, especially private or independent ones, may adjust their schedules slightly. Guardians are advised to always check with their child's school for the exact dates. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!

Lioness and pottery owner among honour recipients

Yahoo

13-06-2025

Business
Yahoo

Lioness and pottery owner among honour recipients

A footballer and ceramics industry leader have been named among the Staffordshire recipients in the King's Birthday Honours list. Lioness Rachel Daly, from Tamworth, and Emma Bridgewater, owner of the eponymous Stoke-on-Trent-based pottery firm, were appointed MBE and DBE respectively. Daly, who currently plays for Aston Villa, received the honour for services to Association Football, having been part of England's victorious Euro 2022 campaign. The striker has 84 international appearances and also holds the Women's Super League's joint record for the most goals in a season with 22. Ms Bridgewater was honoured for her services to ceramics having founded Emma Bridgewater Pottery in 1985. The firm currently employs about 230 people at its factory on Lichfield Street, in Hanley, and the company produces 1.9 million pieces of pottery every year. She was previously appointed CBE in 2013 for services to British industry. Other Staffordshire honours include British Empire Medals (BEMs) for foster parents Elisabeth and Gavin Brownlees, an MBE for ice hockey player Saffron Lane and a BEM for volunteer fireman Andrew Buttery. Councillor Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, congratulated the county's recipients and thanked them for their contributions. "Staffordshire is a county rich in human talent and I am delighted to see residents' abilities, hard work and achievement recognised in this way," he added. Emma Mary Bridgewater, founder of Emma Bridgewater Pottery, is appointed a DBE for services to ceramics Sean Allen Whinray, of Stafford, senior support officer at the Staffordshire Lieutenancy, is appointed an MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order) for services to the Crown Michael Charles Mellor, of Cannock, coordinator of the Miners Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, is appointed an OBE for services to heritage and to recognition of the mining community Dr Diane Swift, of Burton upon Trent, a trustee of The Creative Learning Partnership Trust, is appointed an OBE for services to education Prof Sharon Arkell, of Burntwood, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing at the University of Wolverhampton, is appointed an MBE for for services to higher education Rachel Daly, of Tamworth, is appointed an MBE for services to association football John Ian Davies, of Stafford, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science Practice at Staffordshire University, is appointed an MBE for services to the NHS diagnostic pathology service and biomedical science education Saffron Fern Lane, of Pattingham, lately captain of the GB Women's Ice Hockey team, is appointed an MBE for services to sport Graham Lee, of Tamworth, Chair of the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust Ltd, is appointed an MBE for services to heritage railway preservation and charity Gareth Brian Moss, of Alrewas, Chair of Trustees for the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, is appointed an MBE for services to education Elisabeth Brownlees, of Tamworth, a foster carer for the Birmingham Children's Trust, is awarded a BEM for services to foster care Gavin Brownlees, of Tamworth, a foster carer for the Birmingham Children's Trust, is awarded a BEM for services to foster care Andrew David Buttery, of High Offley, a volunteer for Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Staffordshire Valerie Neale, of Stonnall, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Stonnall Tracey O'Flaherty, of Stafford, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Staffordshire Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Saving the ocean is all I've ever wanted to do' Keele professors among New Year Honours recipients Foster couple thought New Year Honours a wind-up King's Birthday Honours: How does the UK honours system work? Staffordshire County Council

The South African

13-06-2025

General
The South African

June-July School holidays in SA [video]

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that the final day of the second term – which signals the start of the June-July school holidays – will be Friday, 27 June. Pupils will return to their desks on Tuesday, 22 July for Term 3. That means a June-July holiday period of 24 days in total, comprising three full weeks plus one extra day – and weekends. The 2025 school year is divided into four terms: Term 1: 15 January to 28 March, Term 2: 8 April to 27 June, Term 3: 22 July to 3 October and Term 4: 13 October to 10 December. Read the full version of the ' School calendar: How long are the June-July holidays?' article. Prior to 2024, there was a difference in the term dates for inland and coastal schools. In 2024 that changed to a calendar that was identical for all provinces. This remains the case in 2025. The 2025 academic year will consist of 200 school days. Terms 1 and 2 will have 52 days, Term 3 will be the longest at 53 days, while Term 4 will be the shortest with just 43 days Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!

South Africa: Government Must Provide Printing Services for Department of Basic Education (DBE), Not Private Companies, Committee on Education Chair

Zawya

10-06-2025

Business
Zawya

South Africa: Government Must Provide Printing Services for Department of Basic Education (DBE), Not Private Companies, Committee on Education Chair

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has called on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to seriously review the work it outsources to private providers and ballooned costs. The committee was briefed by the DBE and the North West Education Department on printing examination papers and school-based assessment tasks. The North West Education Department briefed the committee on the R500 million five-year contract awarded to a private company for printing matric exam question papers. Mr Feni said outsourcing government work to private companies has a potential to send a negative message that government lacked confidence on the ability of its employees to do the work. 'There is nothing wrong with outsourcing those kinds of work that government lacks the technical ability nor skills, but outsourcing to private companies should be necessary and there ought to be plans for transfer of skills,' said Mr Feni. He continued: 'We must always take into cognisance the serious infrastructure backlog that provinces like the NW are confronted with. How does one balance the two; the infrastructure backlogs and the expenditure on this private company for printing?' Mr Feni said he was not sure if the Department even had the kind of money which was likely to increase as it approached the end of the contract. 'We will not tire in making the call to enhancement internal capacity within departments. If we continue along this line, are we doing away with the functions of the state,'' asked Mr Feni. He called for enhancement of the existing capacity and to outsource work that that really need specialties. Printing related costs in the North West province has been in the news for the contract which seemed to have ballooned. Mr Feni sought clarity on whether back up systems were in place in case the private company was unable to deliver. 'The country could not be run through private hands; we want government to deliver the kinds of services it has the capacity to deliver. Private hands will not match what government delivers to its citizens as their preoccupation is profit maximization.' Mr Feni called on the North West Education Department to do more in ensuring that government delivered efficient services to the people. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.