School pupils on the Orkney island of Papa Westray will have equal access to new technology thanks to a donation of iPads from Cooke Scotland.
Papa Westray Community School were recipients of four new devices to allow the children to access a wide range of digital education resources and enhance their learning experiences.
Cooke’s long-term commitment to the Northern Isles of Orkney is demonstrated through the investment in its developments, the upgrading of equipment and support through the Cooke Community Benefit Fund which has donated over £700,000 to coastal and rural communities since 2018.
Stewart Rendall, Orkney North Isles Area Manager at Cooke Scotland, visited the school to gift the devices. He said: “It gives us immense pleasure to provide this technology to ensure every child at the school will have access to high quality learning opportunities through digital platforms.
“Digital literacy is embedded in the school curriculum, and we understand the importance of connecting young people on the Northern isles with the wider world as well as developing their digital skills with new technology.
“As a family company with Atlantic salmon operations off the coast of Westray and Papa Westray, we work hard to generate shared prosperity in the communities where we live and work and our local investment helps keep rural communities viable.”
Timothy Ross, Head Teacher, Papa Westray Community School, said: “We appreciate the kind donation from Cooke Scotland. It can be a challenge to replace technology resources and this donation has allowed us to upgrade in one go, allowing all pupils equal access to up-to-date technology.
“The iPads provide an important learning resource, supporting digital learning and also offering a way to record and capture our learning. We’re working on recording a short film for Christmas and that project is ensuring that the iPads are immediately being put to work.”
Cooke’s core purpose is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’.
Photograph: Timothy Ross, Papa Westray Community School (left) with school pupils and Stewart Rendall, Cooke Scotland (right).