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Thursday, 28th August 2008

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NO FOOTBALL, NO RUGBY, NO SPORTS DAYS!



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MACKIE Academy's Parent Council has lodged a complaint with Aberdeenshire Council over the state of PE facilities at the school.
David Piper, who is head of the Parent Council, has two children who attend the school.
Mr Piper claims there are three major issues facing the school's PE department. The first is that the extensive playing fields surrounding the Academy were deem
ed unsuitable more than a year ago, meaning that Mackie face a second year with no sports day.
Mr Piper said: "The field was condemned as not safe to use more than 12 months ago. The ground is uneven, with plentiful stones just below the surface. This means no football, no rugby, no rounders, no cricket, no athletics, no sports days."
The swimming pool at the school is also currently out of use, due to the absence of a lifeguard. According to Mr Piper, Aberdeenshire Council refuse to employ a full-time lifeguard, and it has proved difficult to find one willing to work only when needed for lessons, due to the disjointed schedule.
Mr Piper added: "The third issue concerns one of the two gyms. It has windows down one side, and due to the sun shining in pupils' eyes, it has been deemed hazardous. It needs some kind of film over the windows."
Due to the rundown condition of the sports facilities, Mr Piper says that pupils are suffering.
He said: "At the last parent council meeting in April, Acting Rector Jennifer McDonald admitted that they are not able to offer as many meaningful PE activities."
Communications assistant for Aberdeenshire Council, Tony Mayfield, conceded that Mackie Academy is in desperate need of renovation and modernisation.
He said: "We are aware of some issues in regards to the sports facilities at the school, but we are looking to address those issues as soon as possible. A meeting is due to be held in the very near future to discuss what remedial works are needed."
Mr Piper said: "When you consider the problem of childhood obesity in Scotland, this is undoubtedly having a negative effect on the students. It really is perverse when you consider the potential of the outdoor playing fields and that they are just going to waste."





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  • Last Updated: 02 May 2008 11:01 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Stonehaven
 
 

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