Dinner - Speaker Neil McNeil Rector Glenwod High School _ Alternative Curriculum

On Thursday 2^nd March 2017, President Brian Johnson welcomed 20 club Rotarians and guest speaker Neil McNeil to this lunch time meeting held at the Gilvenbank Hotel.

Four apologies for absence were received.

On reception, this week were Roy Francey who said grace and Walter Fletcher.

Jim Boyd brought back greetings from the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy whom he had visited last week.

Jim Boyd mentioned that we are running the “Top of the Form” quiz at Auchmuty High School on Wednesday 8th March. With 14 teams expected, we wish to start the quiz prompt at 7.00pm and finish by 8.00pm

President Brian Johnson mentioned about the sad passing and yesterday’s funeral of Tom Davidsons wife Giovanna and our thoughts go out to Tom and his family at this sad time.

Our speaker this week was Neil McNeil Rector of Glenwood High School who spoke passionately about the alternative curriculum and a project which has been launched at Glenwood. The project is coming together nicely and after this had first been talked about in 2011 about transforming a half-roofed annexe to the School into an Industry workshop for automotive work this should be up and running on the 6^th June 2017.The idea was seen to enhance the curriculum and was thought that it would not suit all youngsters. Meetings were held with Fife college principals and it was thought the project could support the college and the three local high schools. Funding was initially an issue but after getting Financial support from the Scottish Government and then local funding they were then able to move the project on with the help of college lecturers. The school have been gifted 3 wind turbines which will generate the power. It was thought that this would fit into the National 4 and 5 in Engineering skills and renewables working with schools and colleges to help educators inspire students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).At the present BRAG24 are building kit cars on Friday afternoons and it was thought with a maximum of 16 pupils working on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons that the 150 hours required for the programme would work.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Ron Page.

On reception, this week Thursday 9th March 2017 will be Chris Grist and Peter May. This week is a lunch time meeting to be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel. please meet by 12.45pm for a 12.55pm start. This week we will be given an Interact presentation.