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A four-day archaeological research conference is being held in Orkney during March as the final event in the development of Scotland’s Islands Research Framework for Archaeology.

It is anticipated that up to 120 people from across Scotland and beyond will attend the symposium and Neil Gray MSP, Scottish Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development who was brought up in Orkney and educated at Kirkwall Grammar School, will launch the event.

Following a meeting of the Orkney Local Emergency Coordination Group strong advice has been issued by the group that only the most essential travel should be undertaken locally over the next 24 hours.

Orkney Islands Council has achieved the Investors in People (IIP) (Standard) Award for the first time – part of a drive to improve how the local authority supports and develops its employees.

IIP – which is recognised globally for pushing best practice in people management – carried out a review recently at OIC with IIP Practitioners meeting and surveying staff from across the whole organisation to determine what is working well and what could be done better.

A year on and the Orkney College UHI course for people interested in exploring a career in social care has become a popular choice for those looking to make a difference to the lives of others in the county.

‘Introduction to a Career in Social Care’ is a 6-week online course, aimed at people aged 16 and over who are interested in working in social care including senior phase pupils, people who are unemployed, under threat of unemployment or considering a change in career.

Orkney Islands Council has awarded Voluntary Action Orkney funding to develop a new partnership project aimed at improving access to advice and cash-based support for anybody worrying about money in Orkney.

Orkney played host to a very special event at the weekend when Niall Allison was presented with an award to mark being named JudoScotland’s Volunteer of the Year 2022.

Paul McGuinness a 6^th Dan and coach from JudoScotland visited Orkney from 7-8 January to present Niall’s award at the Picky Centre, after which Paul spent an afternoon coaching both junior and senior classes in his red and white belt.

e-Sgoil's Study Support evening webinars are now in full swing, with a total of 50 different webinars running each week during term time.

The number of youngsters registering continues to climb, with lots of people coming onboard just now at prelim time.

e-Sgoil currently has 3,184 learners registered for a total of 12,700 individual webinars. There's still plenty of room though, because the webinars take place on Microsoft Teams through Glow, so large numbers can be accommodated on a call for some of the most popular subjects.

We are reminding pupils at Stromness Academy who are thinking to continue their education in agricultural or veterinary study that they have the opportunity to apply for an annual award of up to £1000 per applicant.

Mrs Jeanie Kirkwood left a bequest stipulating that it should be used to promoted agricultural and veterinary study for pupils attending Stromness Academy. The deadline date for applications is 5 March.

Further industrial action by teaching unions is expected to impact Orkney schools on Wednesday 18 January.

Parents are being contacted directly by schools to inform them of individual school arrangements.

Orkney Islands Council has expressed its disappointment at not being named as one of Scotland’s two future Green Freeports – but says it will work to extract as much benefit as possible from the increased awareness brought about by the bidding process.