1. Animating the Canal
Goldfish Lanterns and Paper Boats
Workshops have been running in Edinbarnet, St Stephen’s, St. Mary’s and Carleith Primary
Schools throughout September and October in preparation for the 2nd of the Light
Festivals to be held at the canal. Rose Harvey and Jenny Renfrew have been working
with classes to create giant willow Goldfish Lanterns which will be lit up for the festival.
Gillian Steel has been working with classes to create Paper Boats which will be floated
on the canal and also lit. The Light Festival will take place in early January 2008 to
coincide with the installation of the new canopy at Clydebank Shopping Centre. We hope
that the event will be bigger and more spectacular than last year in celebration of the
canal.
“This was a valuable
opportunity for the class to be
involved in a community
project.”
“These children find it hard to
work together and in this
project they worked effectively
in pairs.”
“This year group finds it
difficult to co-operate with one
another so the project made
them realise that they had to
help one another for it to be
successful.”
regeneration
October 2007
Message from the Director
This is the last newsletter for the Arts and Education Links Programme that I will introduce before I
retire as Executive Director of Educational Services.
I have always been amazed by the energy and passion of the team to work with, and find the best in
our young people.
There are significant achievements to note: our creation of and investment in industry standard music
and dance studios, we host the longest serving Cultural Co-ordinator team in Scotland and as a result
are cited as an example of excellence in this field, the Music Motivator scheme too remains one of
the most dynamic in Scotland and the new Right Track project is the first of its kind in the country.
This level of vision and dynamism is great for our pupils and teachers and surpasses targets for
inclusion, cultural entitlement and will contribute massively to the success of A Curriculum for
Excellence.
I am sure that the team will continue to go from strength to strength in terms of supporting the new
curriculum and finding alternative and creative ways to look at and support teaching and learning in
West Dunbartonshire.
Liz McGinlay
Executive Director of Educational Services
www.creativelinks-wdc.org.uk
www.thepulse-wd.com

2. Titan
Exploring the history of the
Titan Crane
TITAN is now working at full steam with four St.
Columba’s cluster primary schools enrolled in the
project.
Overcoming their fear of heights, teachers and Head
Teachers alike joined the Cultural Co-ordinators for a
trip to the top of the newly re-developed 150 foot crane.
They now plan to take nearly 180 Primary 7 pupils to
the crane before embarking on a lengthy creative process
with artists Rose Harvey and Inigo Garrido.
Pupils will research crane structures with a structural
engineer and develop canvases and sculptural objects
based upon all they learn about the crane and the ships
built at John Brown’s shipyard.
The project will culminate in March with an experiential
shipbuilding day, giving pupils the chance to don their
overalls and discover what it might have been like to
work in and around the crane on ships like the Queen
Elizabeth II and the Queen Mary.
The crane closes for the winter but re-opens in spring
2008 and looks set to be an important resource for
educational exploration of our local history. The Scottish
Arts Council has funded the TITAN project based upon
its promise to engage with A Curriculum for Excellence,
professional arts practices and local heritage.
For further information contact the Cultural
Co-ordinators on 0141 952 7292.
You can find the Titan Crane online at
www.titanclydebank.com and via our project
partners at Clydebank rebuilt.
Urban Cultures
This is a new project which will involve study visits to both Spain
and Bristol with pupils from St. Andrew’s High School. The
project looks at urban regeneration in these two places and
how this can inform their development of Clydebank. In
particular the project focuses on the canal and waterways
relevant to both Bristol, the Alhambra in Granada and Malaga
in Spain.
This research outcome might influence a more strategic
approach to involving young people in the urban regeneration
being undertaken by Clydebank rebuilt and through the
Regeneration of the Schools Estate in the town. The research
will focus on Granada and the Alhambra: a palace built on a
network of canals, as well as local seasonal festivals which
create a strong cultural link between the citizens of Granada
and the architectural layout of the city and its waterways.
The aim of this approach will be to bring back a body of research
which will support urban regeneration concepts with young
people and the work of Clydebank rebuilt who focus on creating
a sense of community and belonging in the urban landscape.
Pivotal to the study undertaken will be both the historical and
current role of Clydebank’s waterways and the schools
programme that runs alongside.
The rationale for this study visit has evolved over the last six
months in partnership with Clydebank rebuilt, who are co-
ordinating a colourful festival called Animating the Canal along
the Forth and Clyde Canal. The Arts and Education Links
Programme is working in a number of schools in Clydebank
on this project.
Plotting a Future
for Rosshead
Rosshead shop has been in the process of refurbishment as
part of the regeneration of the Rosshead area. The project
brief for area was to work in collaboration with young people
who live in Rosshead and prepare design ideas on how the site
could be improved. The brief was set by West Dunbartonshire
Environment Trust and the project proceeded in close
collaboration between the Rosshead Tenants and Residents
Association, the shop proprietor, the Environment Trust, Arts
and Education Links Team and the young people themselves.
The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design
and the City worked with the young people on the final design
proposal. Throughout the project the young people examined
what they felt made Rosshead special; used lots of different
media to investigate and record their findings; researched and
explored design ideas; worked as a team and in partnership
with the Community Council to brief leading Scottish designer,
Sam Booth and review his designs.
West Dunbartonshire Environmental Trust is now hoping to
turn these plans into a reality in the ongoing regeneration of
the area.
regeneration
2

3. Right Track
Right Track is a pilot project in Clydebank South
(Urban II) specifically designed to help young people
understand the potentials of a career in music or
dance. By offering opportunities to gain accreditation,
awards, skills development support and links to the
creative industries the project hopes to encourage
young people to look at the arts as a career option
with the continued support and advice from the
project Dance and Music Mentors.
As the project continues to gain momentum through
the high schools in the area, community groups and
local agencies have also shown a keen interest in the
overall aims of the project. By participating in various
taster workshops, raising awareness of the many
dance styles available and providing opportunities for
budding young musicians to record their written and
musical talents we have helped young people to utilize
our fantastic facilities at The STAND dance studio and
in the Cre8 music studio.
Both studios are now registered centres for the
presentation of candidates through ASDAN Expressive
Arts Award and the Dance Leadership Award.
Right Track recently celebrated with an awards
ceremony for successful candidates with senior
management presenting thirty one young people
with awards in Dance Leadership, an award
accredited from Sports Leaders UK.
As the project continues to build capacity within the
local community, specific workshop based careers
events are planned for October 07 - ‘Jobs in Theatre,
Film, TV and Radio’, with future events scheduled in
January focusing on ‘Careers in Music’ and then in
March reflecting on ‘Careers in Dance’.
Progress is also being made with the Youth/Social
Enterprise companies. Projector Youth Dance held
auditions in September 07 and is now working
towards performances locally and nationally.
Development of a Music Enterprise company is
imminent.
With three full time members of staff working
furiously to engage young people in this creative and
cultural project, the target outcomes of the project
are expected to be comfortably achieved.
Further information pertaining to the project can
be found on the Right Track website www.right-
trackproject.co.uk or by contacting Joy McCaughran,
Project Co-ordinator on 0141 952 9409.
The Cre8 Studio
The Cre8 studio was officially launched on
26 April 2007 giving the Facilitator a fantastic new
high tech studio as a space to encourage young musicians to
develop and record their musical talents as well as providing an
opportunity to learn first hand the work involved in music and
sound production.
Relationships have been
established with high
schools West
Dunbartonshire-wide. A
close working relationship
with staff at Clydebank High
School, home of the studio,
has resulted in a steady
increase of the use of the
studio. Local young
musicians have primarily used the facility for setting up, rehearsing,
recording, editing and mixing to produce their own original work.
In addition to young people using the studio of their own volition,
it has also been used by The Pulse, The Pulse Plus, Careers
Scotland, Activ8 and the Tullochan Trust as a facility to engage
young people in an alternative method of learning and
self-development.
Accreditation in Dance
To celebrate the first successful courses in the Dance Leadership
Award offered by West Dunbartonshire Council’s Arts and
Education Links Programme, a special event was organised at
The STAND dance studio.
Thirty-one successful
candidates, their family,
friends and teachers joined
together for an award
presentation at The
STAND. As well as being
handed their certificates,
there were guest speakers
and a fabulous performance from The Flyin’ Jalapeno B Boy Crew.
Mary Docherty, Quality Manager congratulated the young people
in their achievement. “Our young people had demonstrated great
leadership skills through their commitment, tenacity and courage
in embarking on this programme which was a first for West
Dunbartonshire Council. I believe passionately
that education is about helping to build
confidence and provide opportunities for our
young people to experience success through
achievement and we have been able to
realize these goals through the
delivery of this programme.”
3
enterpriseand
employability

4. It is really exciting working
with fresh talent and is particularly
great to have their efforts recorded
and produced on CD in such a
professional manner. The young
people I worked with really rose
to the challenges we
set them.
Carol Laula
Songwriter and Workshop Facilitator
5
enterpriseand
employability
Projector
West Dunbartonshire’s has recently launched a fresh new
PROjECTOR youth dance company.
By supporting the growing talents of young people, the
company will act as a training ground to engage and discover
the possibilities of movement and creativity in a safe and
friendly environment. By providing a platform to showcase
work, PROjECTOR youth dance will help to generate positive
images of young people, change attitudes and promote
involvement in the creative and cultural industries.
The company will offer challenging opportunities for young
people aged 16-21 and develop skills in contemporary and
urban dance styles. The programme will include weekly
classes, masterclasses and intensive training opportunities.
The first public performance will be at the Go Dance festival,
Glasgow during January 2008.
For more information about PROjECTOR youth dance please
contact Rowan Gillespie, Dance mentor on 0141 952 9409.
Geometrix
This crafts residency Geomatrix finished at the end of March
with an exhibition in Lomond Galleries, Alexandria. Textile
artist Anne Ferguson worked with Christie Park Primary and
Vale of Leven Academy for six months creating work with
the young people. The exhibition comprised of a range of
work including initial sketches and colour studies, collage
pieces and development work, and finally textile pieces
finished using heatpresses. The work looked fantastic and
audiences responded favourably to the work produced.
Artist, Anne Ferguson extended the crafts residency into the
summer term thanks to enterprise funding from Determined
to Succeed.
With extra funding from the Scottish Arts Council Anne is
now embarking on two further mini residencies. She is
currently working in Levenvale Primary School where the
school is using the Health Promoting Schools theme to
create large banners for their foyer area.
Project Feedback:
“It was really fun and Miss Ferguson is a good teacher. Miss
Ferguson gives us the subject and lets us do what we want.
In art normally we have to copy the teacher. We really
looked forward to the project each week.”
“I’ve never had work in an exhibition before. My mum went
to see it and she said it was fabulous.”
“It’s been an invaluable opportunity for the children to work
with a resident artist and produce work with a professional
finish. It’s not something we would have tackled on our
own and it’s given us the confidence to do this again. The
children have been very motivated throughout the project.”
Laura Penny, HT Christie Park Primary
“The children enjoyed the whole process from start
to finish.”
Learning Assistant, Christie Park Primary
communitysafety
andyouthjustice
“The programme provided a good
range of activities ensuring that every
young person involved took part and
learned new skills and opportunities
otherwise unavailable to them.”
Senior Youth Worker
Participant Feedback:
“The music making was very good. I
felt I could speak up and say what I
felt not what everyone else wanted
me to do.”
“It gave me more skills to do things
that I couldn’t do before. It was a great
experience.”
4
Summer Digital
Arts School
This summer Lorne Cowieson, Cultural
Co-ordinator again organised an arts
school for young people who are involved
with the Clydebank and Dumbarton
Social Work department’s Group Work
programme, the Youth Justice Service
mentoring scheme or the Tullochan
Trust.
This year the project was part funded
by the Arts and Education Links
Programme, Social Work Services and
by Clydebank College. The school, which
involved electronic and digital arts, ran
over three weeks of the summer
holidays.
“The day comprised of three elements;
music, art and dance. The young people
were introduced to cutting edge
software that allowed them to create
their own music, develop a digital
photograph into an artwork piece and
to create a dance slideshow through
piecing together stills images. The day
was a great success with many of the
young people expressing an interest
to learn more about new technologies.
This was a great way to introduce the
young people to modern software and
technology in a fun and innovative way.”
The Tullochan Trust - report to
Clydebank College
The project aimed to introduce
participants to digital arts activities in
a comfortable and supportive
environment and to build confidence in
taking part in creative and artistic
activities whilst also fostering the desire
to participate in future activities.
Western Limits
Western Limits gave many of our most at risk and
vulnerable young people the opportunity to write,
perform and record their own songs. Supported at
every stage by professional musicians, the results
are remarkably creative and inspiring.
Lorne Cowieson, Cultural Co-ordinator and a team
of facilitators worked with young people from the
Choices Programme, Youth Justice Service, Activ8,
Group Work and Family Support and The Tullochan
Trust.
If you would like a copy of any of the CDs in the
West series please contact: Lorne Cowieson,
Cultural Co-ordinator -
mrcowieson@ea.w-dunbarton.sch.uk

5. curriculumforexcellence
effectivecontributers
Music Motivators’ Update
Youth Music Initiative in West
Dunbartonshire
The Music Motivators Scheme, funded by the Scottish
Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative, comprises three
separate arms of music education; singing, rhythm
and digital music. The current Music Motivator
programme sees the team working in their second
year of a two year plan with all 34 primary schools in
West Dunbartonshire.
Each Motivator works with a separate year group or
class within all schools. Both the Singing and Rhythm
Motivators work
continuously in
each school once
a week for the first
three academic
terms, and the
Digital Motivator
works for two
consecutive days
in each term. Each Motivator works on their own
discipline individually whilst preparing the children with
the relevant skills to showcase their work at an end of
year concert, one for each school taking part. Each
discipline gets a chance to shine as part of this
showcase but also all three classes come together to
perform a series of musical compositions together.
Throughout the year the Motivators develop all the
musical skills required in their relevant fields to achieve
the highest level of attainment alongside the 5-14
guidelines; individuality, performance skills and above
all the ability to apply these new-found attributes to
team work and performing with others. In addition the
Digital Music class will create a CD and design its own
artwork and text.
As with last year, the showcases will be full professional
performances with sound, lighting, special effects,
smoke machines, live video projection and professionally
produced backing tracks with the children taking on
the role of narrator and explaining the skills and
techniques they are using - in this way reflecting on
their learning.
Introducing Neil...
The Music Motivators would like to welcome Neil
McCorrisken as a full time member of their team. Neil
is employed as a Digital Music Motivator to visit the 17
schools that the other three Motivators visited last
academic year. The schools have been eager to enlist
Neil’s help following the success of last years exciting
performances. The children are buzzing with excitement
at the thought of reviewing with Neil all the Noodle and
Garageband programmes they loved so much.
The team wishes Neil all the best in his new role as
Digital Music Motivator.
healthpromotion
6
Sexual Bullying
in Schools
This successful pilot project in Dumbarton Academy,
which tackled the issue of sexual bullying will feature
in the Scottish Executive's Annual Report on ‘Respect
and Responsibility’ as an example of good practice.
Shona Bruce from the Reduce Abuse Project
delivered workshops across the S3 year group. The
sessions covered people’s attitudes, gender related
insults, sexual harassment, homophobia and forced
rules within society.
The project aimed to bring sexual bullying in school
to light and address the powerful effects that such
behaviour inflicts on young people.
As part of the programme, the Dance Mentor worked
alongside a music specialist and film-maker to
develop a short dance for the camera piece with
interested pupils. The film will be used as a
promotional tool to engage other young people and
staff from other schools.
The project had great support from all involved, and
teaching staff from Dumbarton Academy stated that
it was a much needed project within the school.
Shona Bruce said “I felt the workshops worked well,
involving young people in the whole process of
performing and using sound and filming equipment.
The young people had opportunities to learn
animation techniques and use computer software
in filming and editing. The group of young people
increased in confidence and will hopefully be leading
on the launch of the DVD later in the year.”

6. Sailor’s Surgeon
There is a final stage of the Ship Sail project with Whitecrook Primary
and Cunard School from October 07 to March 08 where groups will
be based in Clydebank Museum and create animations and ceramics
inspired by the Victorians exhibition ‘Bustles, Britannia and Big
Ideas - Living in the Victorian era’ currently on in Clydebank Museum.
The groups will also visit the Tall Ship in Glasgow as part of the
project.
For more information on the HLF Schools and Museums Project
please visit: www.glasgowmuseums.com
The HLF Schools and Museums Project is funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund, the Scottish Executive, Glasgow City Council and the
Scottish Museums Council.
Feedback:
“I saw the kids develop in confidence, team building skills and
self-esteem as the project went on. The improvements were seen
in the classroom as well as just in the project.”
“They got a lot
of praise from
their peers.
Some of them
had never had
that before.”
Space Invaders
Summer Transition Projects
Now in its fifth year Space Invaders took place in St. Andrew’s High
School, St. Colmuba’s High School, Dumbarton Academy and Vale
of Leven Academy this year and was better attended than ever.
Introducing Primary 7 pupils to their new high school, the project
allows pupils to work alongside actors, artists, sculptors, film
makers, musicians and dancers to create their own guided tour of
the school, transforming whole areas into fantastical worlds.
Supported by SMTs and Pupil and Family Support Teams each week
was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to become comfortable in
their new school, whilst marking the start of their secondary career
with a sense of achievement.
This year included an invasion of babies that the audience had to
repel by dressing as clowns, a gangster themed dance, ‘The Vale’s
Got No Talent’ show, an alien rocket ship that crashed into the stage
and time travelling space monkeys.
St Andrew’s High School first year parents’ nights were marked by
favourable mentions of the project by mums and dads whose children
had taken part and found the whole process of transition far less
fearful as a result of Space Invaders participation.
Creativity, confidence, motivation, enthusiasm, teamwork and self-
reliance are all developed through the programme. Schools can
book their weeks for next summer by contacting Stephen Bullock
on 0141 952 7292. mrbullock@ea.w-dunbarton.sch.uk.
curriculumforexcellence
effectivecontributers
7
Ship Sail
Year Two of the Heritage Lottery Fund Museums and Heritage project
culminated with an exhibition in the Museum of Transport from 15 June
to 10 August 2007. The exhibition opened on 15 June with presentations
to all of the groups. The exhibition contained work created in response
to objects and interpretations at museum venues across Glasgow City
Council, South Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council by
young people across these three authorities. The schools that have been
involved during 2006/7 from West Dunbartonshire Council are St. Peter’s
Primary, St. Eunanís Primary and Vale of Leven Academy.
We are delighted to report that the project won an award for ‘Educational
Initiative’ from Awards for Excellence in London. Congratulations to Jenny
Renfrew, Cultural Co-ordinator for her all her hard work and dedication
to this ambitious project.

7. PROMOTING SOCIAL INCLUSION
8
curriculumforexcellence
responsiblecitizens
Drama Clubs Raise Profile of West Dunbartonshire
The After School Drama Clubs are becoming a regular fixture at community events around West Dunbartonshire, and their
reputation led to an invitation to present their good practice nationally at the Community Scotland Arts Conference in
Glasgow. Pupils from the After School Drama Clubs gave a presentation at the event as well as welcoming delegates in
role as comedy security guards. Delegates were encouraged to literally jump through hoops and give secret passwords
to gain entry to the conference, starting
the day in a light hearted way.
Pupils from Vale of Leven Academy and
Clydebank High School did their schools
proud by not only contributing street
theatre to West Dunbartonshire’s
authority-wide Community Day but also
compering the whole event. Pupils from
Clydebank High made announcements
throughout the day, marking each one
with a short comedy sketch based on the
PC versus Mac adverts - an Online Gamer
versus an Athlete, each trying to out-do
the other with their ‘active’ lifestyles.
As if this was not enough the Drama Clubs
were very busy last term, creating
bespoke performances for the Cre8
Launch, Scottish Out of School Hours
Learning Network Conference, West
Dunbartonshire Parenting Event and a
Gangs of Clydebank film project linked
with Social Work Services. Satellite group Clydebank Youth Theatre, led by ex-members of the Drama Clubs, spent the
summer filming Skatespeare (Romeo and Juliet on skateboards) and hope to use the finished DVD to seek further funding
for a community-wide arts project based at the Unit 23 Skatepark in Dumbarton. The participants trained in stage fighting,
skateboarding and performing Shakespeare as part of this short project.
Helicoptors and Helium
In the coming months schools in the authority will take part in
a project that will focus on the potential of creative play and
storytelling to enliven the learning process for a group in the
P4/P5 pupils.
Using some of the education principals of Vivian Gussin Paley as
a departure point, artist and teacher Jean Hutchison and Drama
Worker Clare Collins will lead the pupils through a process of
developing their own stories and then realising these as a
performance alongside a visual arts form.
Teaching staff will also be given an opportunity to take part in a
parallel CPD programme.
This project will be an ideal opportunity for teaching staff, pupils
and artists to play an equal part in shaping the learning process.
For further information on Helicopters and Helium please
contact: Gillian Steel, Cultural Coordinator, email:
mssteel@ea.w-dunbarton.sch.uk, Tel - 0141 952 7292
Drama Toolbox
CPD for primary staff
The Drama Toolbox CPD opportunity last session was fully booked
once more.
Back by popular demand, the set of four workshops took teachers
through the essential tools of the trade needed to run a flexible,
relevant and fun drama workshop in their school.
Future CPD opportunities are planned to cater specifically for
the P1-3 age range and teaching staff should keep an eye on the
CPD catalogue for this and further runs of the Drama Toolbox
workshops.
“These were the best drama workshops ‘ I would recommend
them to anyone who wants to develop their drama lessons.
Enjoyed them immensely and learned loads!”
Drama Toolbox Participant