Global Acts of Unity is a campaign promoting unity, tolerance and understanding in schools. Its founder is Mike Haines.
In 2014, Mike’s brother, David, was murdered by the terrorist group ISIS. Following such a tragic event and harrowing loss, Mike founded Global Acts of Unity so that something positive could come out of such a senseless and barbaric act.
Writing of his decision to found the campaign, Mike says, “If I live with anger and hate, the terrorists have won. Through creating fear and distrust, they want to turn us against each other. They want to turn community against community. So, I want to talk of unity, tolerance and understanding.”
Taking his campaign one step further, Mike has began to offer schools across the country the opportunity to get in touch with him, with some colleagues having already invited Mike to their schools to provide powerful and thought-provoking presentations.
As Mike writes on his website, “If I hate the people who killed my brother, they win. I will not let hatred enter into my life. I will fight to my dying breath against the fear and discord they seek to instill in us. This is now my path in life. This is why I created global acts of unity.”
Anyone wishing to find out more or to access classroom resources can do so by visiting the Global Acts of Unity website – just click here.
Each year, at the Modern Studies Association (MSA) Annual Conference, the highest achieving candidates in Modern Studies have their academic achievement and hard work celebrated.
This year, with Annual Conference held in the magnificent surroundings of the Scottish Parliament debating chamber, four candidates – all of whom achieved full marks in the most recent SQA assessment period – were commended.
Gordon Black, a Trustee of the Modern Studies Educational Trust (MSET) spoke from the lectern on the floor of the chamber to introduce the candidates.
In turn, each candidate was applauded loudly by the 150 attendees, before being handed their trophy by – and having their photograph taken with – the Rt. Hon. Christine Grahame, MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
For Advanced Higher, Mike Cash collected the award on behalf of his daughter, Olivia Cash. Olivia was a candidate from George Watson’s College.
Three candidates all scored full marks at Higher level and were duly awarded. Elizabeth Farr was from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School; Sompure Banerjee was from Hutcheson’s Grammar School; and, Rachel Fairley was from George Heriot’s School, in Edinburgh.
Well done, and congratulations once again to all four of these marvellous young people, whose hard work more than paid off.
The photographs shared below are the copyright of the Scottish Parliament.
Hodder Education has announced that they are planning to host several Continuing Lifelong Professional Learning (CLPL) opportunities for Modern Studies Teachers over the coming months.
In addition to traditional face-to-face professional development and update opportunities, Hodder Education is also planning on running Webinar sessions, allowing Teachers who might otherwise struggle to attend face-to-face CLPL, the chance to engage in the training on offer.
The upcoming events are entitled ‘Delivering SQA National 5 Modern Studies with confidence’ and ‘Maximising exam and assignment success in SQA Higher Modern Studies’. A face-to-face version and a Webinar version of each opportunity is available.
Those interested in the Webinar versions can book their places for £85 + VAT, while the face-to-face CLPL events will cost £215 + VAT.
Both the Webinars and face-to-face events are scheduled for late January and mid-February 2020, with anyone interested in booking able to do so online by clicking this link.
The Modern Studies Association (MSA) does not earn money from these events, nor this post, but we are happy to share details of opportunities such as these to support colleagues in their professional update and development.