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Papa Westray - one of Orkney’s smallest islands – is seeking a new Head Teacher to lead the school and embrace community life. 

Known locally as “Papay”, the island has a population of around 85, and a school roll of nine at present – five pupils and four nursery children.

Papa Westray Community School is looking for a new Head Teacher.

Karl Simpson has been a supply teacher at the school for the past two years and if it weren’t for his small farm holding and settled life in South Roanldsay – he says he would be putting himself forward for the position!

This Saturday, 18^th February, sees the opening of the first temporary exhibition of the year at the Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Kirkwall. ‘Art in Orkney 1875-2020: A Private Collection’. This stunning display of art spans the centuries and has something to suit all tastes, from traditional Victorian watercolours to abstracts and sculpture.

With a population of around 85, the people of Papa Westray, or Papay as the Orkney island is known locally, are respected for their resilience and they are keen to find a new Head Teacher to lead their school with the same “can-do” attitude.

Thanks to the Papay Development Trust, the Community Council, Papay Community Co-op and other residents a number of projects have helped breathe life back into the island – but they know that at the heart of their community is the island school.

A roundup of works underway or soon to start around Orkney, for the week starting Monday 13 February:

Are you having a spring clean of your business or community premises? You may have COVID posters left over from earlier stages of the pandemic, when less was known about the virus and how it spread. Freshen up this spring by taking down out-of-date posters, and updating to the Scottish Government ‘Stay Well Signage’ scheme.

OIC is advising planned external cleaning will be carried out at Kirkwall Travel Centre during the week starting Monday 20 February (weather dependant).

Orkney and Shetland have been chosen as two of 31 innovation locations in the UK, to conduct three-month feasibility studies examining how to overcome some of the key non-technical barriers that are holding back efforts to reach net zero targets in their area.

OIC is advising planned external cleaning will be carried out at Kirkwall Travel Centre during the week starting Monday 20 February (weather dependant).

The Council’s cost of living £200 payments will be received by 600 households in Orkney by the end of this week.

The first tranche of payments are to those who are automatically entitled and for whom the Council holds bank account details.