PICTURES: Tain tree-planting marks milestone for Easter Ross royal burgh as plans for long-awaited 3-18 campus take root
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PUPILS of an Easter Ross community joined head teachers and councillors for a special tree-planting that marked a milestone – and the beginning of a new era in the royal burgh.
The tree-planting at the site of the new 3-18 campus planned to open in Tain in August 2024 was the first joint activity of its type between the four schools.
Councillors outlined the importance of the new school and the opportunities it brings to the local area. They also highlighted the significance of the Tain schools embarking on their journey to become one school at the time we are also celebrating the 70-year journey of Queen Elizabeth and her remarkable achievements.
The tree was donated by Scotsburn Garden Centre and pupils were encouraged to nurture and care for each other in the same way they will nurture the tree in the years ahead.
A painting, rap and poem demonstrated some of the work done in the schools to observe and recognise the importance of the Queen’s reign.
The Tain 3-18 campus will include a nursery, primary school, high school, playgrounds and sports facilities. It will sit on a sloping site on Craighill Terrace next to the existing health centre and care home, with views across the Dornoch Firth.
The two-storey building will be the first Highland Council build to meet passivhaus standards – a building so energy-efficient it uses barely any heating.
Some of the poem read on the day:
On this site where the new school will stand
We will all lend a helping hand
To plan and nurture a young new tree
To celebrate and honour her Majesty
For 70 years she has ruled Great Britain
Leading bravely despite her future being unwritten
So today we’ll plant this tree
To mark the platinum jubilee
It will flourish in a spot where one day
Students will grow and play
I hope that sometime soon
I’ll remember that day in June
When we all stood as one and planted a tree
For Queen Elizabeth II Happy Platinum Jubilee
– Cuba Nicolson, Tain Royal Academy
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