Animal, footballer or ballerina? The decision is yours! Cast your vote in the online fundraiser and you decide which outfit Papdale Primary’s Kevin Balfour will wear for this month’s Children in Need.

An incredibly poignant tribute to former staff and pupils of Kirkwall Grammar School who were killed during World War One is being shown once again throughout the corridors of the building.

In a special mark of remembrance and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, a slideshow featuring the names and faces of those who perished is currently being displayed on screens as you make your way around the school.

An update on road closures in the centre of Stromness due to current flagstone repairs. 

The ongoing community-wide transmission of COVID-19 in Orkney is having an impact – as would be expected – on a number of schools across the county.

There are small numbers of positive cases being reported in several schools now in addition to Papdale Primary and Nursery, and these are all being closely monitored.

But that day has come for St Magnus Cathedral and our very own Cathedral Custodian, Fran Flett Hollinrake, when Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur raised a motion on 28 October commending what must be Orkney’s most loved historical building – and the contribution that Fran, the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral and Cathedral Minister Rev Fraser Macnaughton make to the Cathedral and the wider community.

Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 15 – 21 November with this year’s theme focused on “alcohol and relationships”.

Papdale Primary School has seen a rise of 4 COVID-19 cases meaning that as of today, Wednesday, there have been 51 cases among pupils in total. There are eight positive COVID cases among staff and 4 others await the results of PCR tests.

A born and bred Orcadian – with a breadth of teaching experience across Orkney – has been appointed Head Teacher of Evie and Firth Primary Schools.

Mrs Emma Jane Rendall, from Stenness, says the “exceptional” life experiences growing up, living and working in the county have led her on a path which now allows her the chance to give something back to communities.

An update on current and soon-to-commence road resurfacing works as at 10 November, including impacts on public bus services:

Four Papdale Primary School classes – P3M, P6E, P7E and P7M - will remain closed for the rest of this week mainly due to COVID-19-related staffing issues and a continuous small rise in pupil cases across these classes.