COVID-related staffing pressures across many of Orkney’s schools and nurseries is continuing to impact on classes and early learning groups.

On Monday, 62 members of staff and 221 young people and children were absent, largely due to being positive themselves or because they are the main carer of a child with a positive result.

The high community transmission rate – Orkney recently recorded 1,000 COVID cases in just two weeks – is likely to have an effect on school kitchens now too.

Like many others Westray’s Nicki Hellewell has found watching the news footage on the war in Ukraine horrendous.

As a crafter, she felt compelled to do something.

From today, Tuesday, there will be a selection of flags, hearts and flower pins in Rendall’s shop. All she asks is that if you take one away with you, you make a donation and all proceeds will go to the DEC – Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.

Historically, teaching is a highly gendered profession.

In primary schools, teachers are overwhelmingly female, and yet their male counterparts are almost twice as likely to hold leadership positions in secondary schools.

Is Orkney bucking the trend to some degree, with both Orkney’s Mainland secondary schools headed up by women?

Final works are well underway to allow three community groups to take up residence in the former Herring Factory in Stromness.

You will be aware that COVID-19 has led to challenges in terms of resource and maintenance in some of our facilities – in particular the four swimming pools in the isles.

All pools and leisure facilities in Orkney shut down with the first lockdown in March 2020, and while many facilities have reopened, there has been a number of ongoing issues at the isles swimming pools.

The pools in Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and North Walls are much-loved by their communities – and it’s not just those on the four islands who benefit from the pools, Papay and Eday pupils also learn to swim at the Westray and Sanday pools respectively. It is therefore entirely understandable that there has been a growing level of frustration expressed at facilities not being open or fully open for long periods, therefore we thought it would be helpful to provide an overview of the situation and answers to some frequently asked questions.

Across International Women’s Day today (March 8) we’ve been celebrating some amazing women who are involved with the work of Orkney Islands Council.
One such woman is Meredith McBeth who is our Historic Buildings Conservator. 

The Orkney public will be able to voice their thoughts and concerns about traffic in Finstown when a consultation website opens next week (7 March).

We are continuing to share the efforts to which many local folk and businesses have gone to, to help the people of Ukraine.

Lynn Bartlett is the confectioner behind Odin’s Kitchen, based in Holm, from where she creates her sweet meringue treats in the shape of French macarons.

Like many others, Lynn felt powerless watching the shocking footage of the Russian invasion – and decided there was only one thing for it – a “Macarons for Ukraine” fundraiser.

Many of Orkney’s home bakers are putting their talents to good use – raising funds to support the people of Ukraine.

Julie Colquhoun is behind “Granny’s Box, based in Burray and is known for her tasty homebakes.

She decided to include a tray of cupcakes within the box with funds raised going to the Ukraine appeal – so far, she has raised a mouthwatering £60.