Mulbuie Primary School on the Black Isle scooped the coveted Best Enterprise Award at last week’s education ‘Oscars’, the Scottish Education Awards.

The awards showcase the exceptional achievements of Scottish schools, teachers and pupils and highlight the amazing achievements of Mulbuie Primary – a school with only 60 pupils.

Mulbuie won £1000 and a magnificent trophy (see photographs) for their work to produce the official Highland 2007 tartan, Golden Broom.  The ‘Best Enterprise’ was one of the most sought after awards with 270 nominations from schools all over Scotland.

Mulbuie Primary head teacher Shona Mackinnon explains:”We were so excitied to make it to the final three schools and to be invited along to the awards ceremony.  Simply to be there was a great achievement but to go on and win was just something else.  We were up against two much bigger Secondary Schools in the final – Kilmarnock Academy and Louden Grammar - so for our small rural school to win was a real coup!”

She added: “The children loved attending the awards ceremony, it was an wonderful experience for them, they got to see so many celebrities and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere in Glasgow’s City Halls – it really was an exceptional day and we are all absolutely delighted to have won.”

The awards ceremony has become one of the most important dates on the Scottish educational calendar. Education minister Fiona Hyslop was there to help present the prizes to the 20 category winners, alongside awards presenter and TV newsreader Sally Magnusson.

Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said: “We are delighted that once more the work Mulbuie Primary pupils and staff put into producing the offical Highland 2007 tartan has been recognised.  Highland 2007 was proud to adopt the Golden Broom tartan, it is a quality product and its easy to see the commitment and enthusiasm the school put into the whole process of producing it from initial design to incorporating it in their uniform.”

Hugh Fraser, director of Education, Culture and Sport for The Highland Council, said: “The staff and pupils of Mulbuie Primary School thoroughly deserve this accolade.  They are a shining example of what can be achieved through school enterprises.  The school has already bought a new interactive whiteboard and projector with their well earned profits and I am delighted to learn they are going to invest the £1000 prize money into their next ambitious enterprise project, ensuring all children benefit from the wondeful learning opportunities an enterprise project offers.”

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For more information contact Julie Corbett on 01463 702007or 07766 028899.

Editor’s notes

Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future.  The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  The year long celebration of Highland culture in 2007 will incorporate an exciting range of major and community events, as well as capital projects and ‘The Highland Promise’ for young people.  See www.highland2007.com for full details.
The tartan can be purchased through the school directly by calling 01349 861289 or email: mulbuie.primary@highland.gov.uk.

Highland 2007 commercial partners include:
LifeScan Scotland Ltd - Principal Partner
Tulloch Homes Ltd / BBC Scotland / Scottish Co-op - Major Partners
Royal Bank of Scotland/ Clydesdale Bank / Morrison Construction / Bidwells -  Event Partners
Caledonian MacBrayne / First ScotRail / Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd / Macdonald
Aviemore Highland Resort / Macrae & Dick – In-kind Partners
Fionnar Springs / NBH Holdings / PPD Ltd / EAE Distribution / Inver House Distillers - Suppliers