Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Thursday 6th August 2020

Western Isles Education Livestream Q+A

Tomorrow at noon, the Comhairlie will hold a live-stream internet discussion and forum for school pupils, parents, staff -- and members of the wider community -- on Education services as COVID restricitions ease.

The focus will be the preparations that the council -- with assistance from a range of partner organisations – has taken for the safe return of employees and pupils to schools across the Western Isles over the coming weeks.

The stream will be broadcast on the Comhairle’s Facebook page and on the e-Sgoil website. Viewers will be able to submit questions in advance by private messaging the Comhairle Facebook page or commenting on the live feed during the livestream.

The forum will be chaired by council media coordinator Colin George Morrison, and will feature a panel including the Director of Education, Skills & Children’s Services Bernard Chisholm -- alongside department officers and headteachers.

The Scottish Government has said it expects all Scottish pupils to be in school full-time by 18 August -- at the very latest.

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Thursday 6th August 2020

Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Wednesday 5th August 2020

COMHAIRLE WELCOMES SQA RESULTS 2020

School pupils across the Western Isles, received the results of their SQA National Qualification results yesterday. This follows the most challenging and unusual academic year for those undertaking qualifications.

Despite the difficulties experienced by both pupils and staff this year, the Comhairle is pleased to be able to report significant improvements in results this year, with many more awards being achieved by Western Isles pupils than in previous years.

The introduction of lockdown in March resulted in national school closures at a time when pupils were at a critical time in their studies. The SQA subsequently then confirmed the cancellation of all exams across Scotland, meaning that qualifications this year were going to be based on teacher professional estimates, analysis of past performance and careful scrutiny of results across the country. The consequence of this is that, for the first year on record, pupils received their qualifications having undertaken no exams.

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Wednesday 5th August 2020

Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Tuesday 4th August 2020

Peat and Diesel help the NHS

NHS Western Isles has joined forces with popular musicians Peat and Diesel to relaunch a music video with some key health messages on how to keep the islands safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Aimed as a message to both islanders and visitors alike, the anthemic production - titled My lsland - presents some stunning video footage of the Western Isles (as well as other Scottish islands), whilst also incorporating some important safety messages.

NHS Western Isles chief executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “This music video presents the perfect blend of uplifting local music and stunning island imagery to highlight our very special islands and how to keep us all safe during this pandemic.

“We are extremely grateful to Peat and Diesel for teaming up with us to highlight these messages and to Calum J. MacLeod for editing what is an incredible video.”

Peat and Diesel accordionist, Innes Scott, said the band were “delighted” to lend their support.

They hope “our music helps spread some important messages. We are very grateful for all the hard work the NHS is doing, especially during this particular time.”

The video is available at: https://vimeo.com/44340792

Read more: Isles FM News in association with Hebrides News - Tuesday 4th August 2020

Isles FM in association with Hebrides News - Friday 31st July 2020

COVID-19 WESTERN ISLES PUBLIC TRANSPORT PHASE 3

From Monday 3rd August, daytime bus services in Lewis and Harris and South Uist and Benbecula will revert to normal timetables with no requirement to book seats, with the exception of the bookable services on the regular timetable. Please note that fares will also be reintroduced from Monday.
Timetables are available on the Comhairle website.
https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/public-transport/
The service contracts for North Uist and Berneray and Barra and Vatersay have yet to be concluded and this has delayed the reintroduction of services in these areas. Further details of bus services timetables for these areas will be made available as soon as possible.
Please remember that face coverings remain compulsory on any form of public transport and this includes all public bus services. Passengers will only be permitted to travel on public transport if they are wearing appropriate face covering. Exceptions will apply, such as children under five or for those with health conditions for whom a face covering would be inappropriate. Passengers will be expected to provide their own face coverings.
Where a screen has been provided, the driver will not be required to wear a mask or face covering. Medical exemptions will also apply to some drivers.
Face-coverings protect against inadvertent transmission of the disease and wearing a face covering will help to protect other travellers which will in turn help everyone. It is vital that passengers do not see face coverings as an alternative, but as an addition to other measures such as social distancing, hand washing and disinfection of surfaces frequently touched by other people.
All passengers should ensure that they wash their hands as soon as possible before and after travelling on public transport.

Read more: Isles FM in association with Hebrides News - Friday 31st July 2020