Pupils full of pride as eco school is opened
Scotland’s first accredited Passivhaus school was officially opened this week by cabinet secretary Jenny Gilruth and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney.
Riverside Primary School in Perth - a merger between North Muirton PS and Balhousie PS - opened to pupils on June 13, built on the grounds of the former North Muirton Primary School.
On Tuesday, March 26 pupils proudly welcomed local dignitaries to their impressive eco-friendly Argyll Road school building at its official opening.
Pupils from the nursery right through to primary seven performed songs and read a poem about their impressive new school and told those gathered why they are so proud of it.
The school has been built to Passivhaus standards which uses very little energy for heating and cooling - cutting energy usage by 60-80 per cent.
Welcoming everyone to the official opening, headteacher Annabelle Burns thanked those involved in “bringing two very special communities together”. Mrs Burns said they had created a school “purpose-built to serve our learners and our learners to come” and a “new heart for this community”.
Providing the opening remarks, learning and families committee convener SNP councillor John Rebbeck said: “I was delighted to see Riverside Primary have its soft opening last session in June as it enabled the last primary sevens from both Balhousie and North Muirton to enjoy some time in their new school.”
The Perth City North councillor added: “I am very excited to be here at the official opening.
“It’s people that make great schools - it’s the staff, pupils, parents and carers that make this school great. And it’s right that we should be very proud that the school has been built to Passivhaus standards. It’s right and important to look forward and safeguard future generations of learners.”
Education and Skills secretary Jenny Gilruth and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney were tasked with the honours of officially opening the school.
Ms Gilruth told those gathered it was a “huge privilege” and added: “This is the first Passivhaus school in Scotland which is really important. This is also the first school I’ve had the opportunity to open as cabinet secretary.”
Mr Swinney said it was “an enormous pleasure to be here” and described Riverside Primary as a “very new and special place”.
He added: “It’s important as it’s an investment right at the heart of North Muirton a very important part of our city of Perth and of North Perthshire.”
Executive director of education and children’s services, Sheena Devlin praised the “thought and care” which had gone into the building of the school.
She added: “This school is a place of service - service to our young people that are here and their families.”
A handful of pupils sporting their jade school sweatshirts - then proudly showed the dignitaries around their bright, welcoming and spacious school.
The school has capacity for up to 500 pupils as well as intensive support provision and a nursery with space for up to 82 children.
All the classrooms are kitted out with state-of-theart technology and high quality furnishings. The building features a dining/ gym hall, learning resource area with library and a general-purpose area for activities such as performing arts and cookery. Outside there is an outdoor activity trail, multi-use games area and sheltered classroom.
Pupil Katie said: “I have loved moving to Riverside and getting to meet new friends and teachers.”
It’s an investment right at the heart of North Muirton