Dedicated Kirkintilloch teacher is recognised

Kirsty O’Donnell was nominated by East Dunbartonshire Council to take part in the General Teaching Council 
for Scotland’s National 
Probationer Celebration.

This annual celebration 
recognises a representative 
selection of probationers who will become fully fledged teachers in Scotland’s schools from August 2020.

Kirsty, who completed her probation as a primary teacher at Holy Trinity Primary School in Kirkintilloch, was nominated by East Dunbartonshire Council in recognition of her success.

Each of the probationers has been nominated by Scottish local authorities and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, based on their exceptional hard work and dedication on the Teacher 
Induction Scheme (TIS) and the Flexible Route.

The event also provides probationers and the teachers who have supported them with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, along with the impact the probationers have had on their pupils, schools and 
local communities.

This year’s event took place online due to lockdown, with probationers and supporters taking to Twitter and the GTC Scotland website to celebrate their success.

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney told them: “When you embark on your teaching career in August, schools will be very different places because of the Covid crisis.

“But what lies at the heart of the mission that you take forward is the need to make sure in whatever educational setting you’re operating, you are focused on transforming the life chances of children and young people.

“I thank you warmly as part of the more than 3,000 new faces coming into Scottish 
education for the commitment that you have given to take forward this profession .

“I wish you every success in making a difference in the lives of children and young people in Scotland.”

GTC Scotland Chief Executive and Registrar, Ken Muir, said: “It gives me great 
pleasure to congratulate 
these accomplished probationers on their achievement of the Standard for Full 
Registration and nomination for the National Probationer Celebration.

“These hard-working and dedicated probationers are well placed to provide support and make a real impact on the lives of the children and young people that they teach.”