Latest news with #FionaMacDonald
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Pups wanted for Edinburgh's Armed Forces Day Dog Show
The charity's annual dog show will take place at Edinburgh Napier Universiy's Craiglockhart Campus on the 28th of June. It costs just £2.50 to enter a dog in one of the judging categories, which include Most Aerodynamic Ears, Best Beard, Best Salute and Best Dog in the World that hasn't won a rosette… yet! Members of the public can attend for free. BRAVEHOUND's founder and CEO Fiona MacDonald said: 'This is the seventh year we have held this Armed Forces Day event. It's a really fun day out for all the family and people who come along will also get the chance to meet some of our BRAVEHOUNDS, which make a huge difference in the lives of veterans. "Our dogs are exceptional and their training is tailored to the individual needs of the military veterans. This could mean picking up objects like medication, putting themselves in the way of their veteran and others to ensure personal space or just giving a cuddle on demand. 'We'd love people to come along and take part. You don't have to register your dog in advance, you can just turn up." VIP judges include Kirsty McNeill, Under Secretary of State for Scotland, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilon, and the US Consul General for Scotland. More information can be found at
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Primary school in 'sectarian' Union Jack row after headteacher suggests flag is 'potentially offensive'
A primary school headteacher has been forced to apologise after a letter to parents suggested the Union Flag could be 'sectarian'. Cross Arthurlie Primary School, in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, found itself at the centre of an extraordinary row yesterday after its headteacher sent parents a letter which appeared to insinuate the Union Flag was 'potentially offensive'. In a note, Fiona MacDonald told her Primary Seven pupils parents that the 'use of the union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and that the school was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. The letter caused uproar as MSPs hit out at the school letter, with East Renfrewshire Council and the headteacher apologising for 'any offence and upset that has been caused'. Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, branded the letter 'daft' and said: 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. 'This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies. 'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.' Meanwhile, Scots Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he was 'both angry and concerned' the official letter 'suggested the use of the Union flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'.' The Eastwood MSP said: 'Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' The row, which now overshadows the end of term, was ignited by Mrs MacDonald's letter sent on June 12. Writing to P7 families, she thanked them for going to a leavers' event the night before and said the 'children looked fantastic and had a great time'. But the letter goes on: 'Unfortunately, the use of the Union Flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea: Using images without permission; the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people; their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' The local authority yesterday issued a statement insisting: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union Flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. 'We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots primary school head under fire after branding Union flag 'offensive or sectarian'
The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. A major row has erupted at a Scots primary school after its headteacher branded the Union flag"potentially offensive or sectarian" i n a letter to parents. The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. As the Scottish Daily Express reports, the incident unfolded at Cross Arthurlie Primary School in East Renfrewshire with the correspondence signed by the headteacher Fiona MacDonald. The official school communication has now gone viral sparking a response from Scots Tory politicians who branded the letter"daft". The criticism has forced council chiefs into an apology over the letter, with education bosses sorry for any "offence and upset" that has been caused. In the letter, the head told families of P7 leavers that the use of a Union flag in images may have been a "mistake." Writing. "Thank you for coming along last night to make the P7 leavers a special event in the life of the school. The children looked fantastic and had a great time. 'Unfortunately the use of the Union flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the letter is genuine. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Former Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, who represents Eastwood in East Renfrewshire, blasted the comments as "deeply offensive." He said: "Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Having spoken with a senior official at @EastRenCouncil this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution, and retraction. As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' A East Renfrewshire spokesperson said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
Sky News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Council apologises after headteacher's letter to parents 'implied Union Flag was potentially offensive or sectarian'
A council has apologised for any "upset" caused over a letter sent to parents by a headteacher which implied the Union Flag could be seen as "potentially offensive or sectarian". Fiona MacDonald, head of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, raised concerns following a P7 leavers' event last week which was attended by parents and carers. In her letter, Ms MacDonald said the use of a Union Flag featuring staff images "caused some upset at the beginning of the evening". She added: "As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage." The headteacher said she had spoken to the children to explain "why it wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission. She also explained "the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people" and how the youngsters' actions were "contrary to the school values of respect and kindness". Ms MacDonald then signed off: "I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations." East Renfrewshire Council later apologised and said it was "not the school's intention to imply the Union Flag is sectarian". The leader of the Scottish Conservatives had earlier called for the local authority to apologise for the "daft letter". MSP Russell Findlay said: "For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing." Former party leader and colleague Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, also voiced his anger at the letter. Posting on X, he said: "Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland." Demanding an apology, he added: "Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many." In a statement, East Renfrewshire Council said: "It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the headteacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. "All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Council apologises after primary school union flag row
A council has apologised after a primary school wrote to parents saying the appearance of union flags at a leavers' event could have been seen as "offensive or sectarian".The head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead said flags featuring pictures of staff, which had been brought to the event by primary 7 pupils, "caused some upset".Senior Scottish Conservatives criticised the letter on social media and demanded an apology. East Renfrewshire Council later said it was not the "school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian". Head teacher Fiona MacDonald wrote to parents after the leavers' event on letter said "the use of the union flag with staff images on had caused considerable upset at the beginning of the night".It added the school worked against "potentially offensive or sectarian messaging".Ms MacDonald said: "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage." The headteacher explained she had spoken to the children to "explain why it wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission and to explain "the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people". Conservative politicians from East Renfrewshire, including former Scottish party leader Jackson Carlaw, had demanded an apology for the implication in the letter that the union flag itself was Conservative leader Russell Findlay posted: "Our country's flag is not 'offensive or sectarian'."A council spokesperson said: "It was not the school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community."All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society."We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity."
