School linking with the past
Edinburgh's only living museum opens at Echline Primary
Echline Primary opened its Living Links Centre with a spectacular evening launch show involving pupils from nursery through to primary 7.
Living Links is the city’s only in-school living museum. Pupils can use artefacts from across the world in hands-on sessions.
With a Big Lottery Grant of £10,000 the school was able to create a space to display their large collection of unusual objects and artefacts gathered through global partnerships. These include national dress, jewellery, household objects, masks, ceramics and toys, as well as books and DVDs.
The Centre was officially opened by Hermione Cockburn, presenter of BBC’s popular Coast programme. The launch featured dances, sketches and songs on a range of themes including the Egyptians, Henry VIII, Scotland’s Homecoming and Kenya.
There were also screen presentations looking back at the huge success story following Echline’s nine year global partnership with Chogoria Primary in Nairobi.
Hermione said: “I was amazed and delighted by the launch show and the performances given by Echline Pupils.
“I particularly loved the Egyptian walk and felt the whole event was a wonderful show case for all that Living Links aims to achieve.
“The centre itself is simply stunning and an incredible resource for the school and the community. I left with many strong images and it was an absolute pleasure to attend.”
Head teacher Jim McColgan said, “The aim of Living Links ties in with the aims of the Curriculum for Excellence.
“It allows our pupils to experience aspects of the world not simply as paper exercises in class but as real life situations and hopefully fill them with an ambition to join with others in helping the world, the people, communities and creatures within it.”
The Living Links Centre is available for use by any school, club or group and a visit can be booked throughout the year by contacting the school office.
If you require any further information, or would like to visit Living Links, please contact the school at: Echline Primary, Bo’ness Road, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9XJ. Call 0131 331 3391. E-mail admin@echline.ech.edin.uk