News round-up / Mark receives scholarship award, Covid testing figure, live lunchtime gigs and arts survey
ANDERSON High School pupil Mark Hutcheon has been named the fourth winner of an annual scholarship designed to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
Joe Leask, a former pupil at Anderson High School who is now an employee of industry body Oil and Gas UK, worked closely with school staff to develop the Shetland STEM Scholarship.
“Mark performed well throughout the scholarship process,” Leask said.
“He clearly demonstrated his academic credentials, interest in engineering and obvious aspirations to succeed.
“Mark showed up as a well-rounded character and an effective contributor to society with his volunteer work in the local swimming scene and progression through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
“Mark and I also shared a common ambition to develop STEM in Shetland as these skills are essential for the islands as we seek to expand our capabilities in industries like oil and gas decommissioning and the energy transition.”
THE SCOTTISH Government has suggested a Shetland Gas Plant worker testing positive for Covid-19 recently has not been included in official figures because it was a private test.
NHS Shetland tested the gas plant worker itself as a follow-up, and while it came back negative, the health board treated it as a positive.
The total cumulative number of positive tests recorded in Shetland – according to the government – remains at 54.
That figure has been unchanged since 20 April.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said in response to a question on the figure: “NHS Shetland was alerted to a suspected case of Covid-19 after a positive test by a private laboratory.
“When the individual was re-tested by an NHS lab, the result was negative. However due to the risks attached to a potential case, full contact tracing and self-isolation where appropriate were carried out as a precautionary measure.”
SHETLAND Arts has hosted its latest weekly Live@Lunch online music session.
Isaac Webb performed for the video series yesterday (Tuesday) following Freda Leask’s set last week.
The next performer in the series is Arthur Nicholson.
The organisation, meanwhile, has launched a survey to gather the public’s views on what they would like from Shetland Arts.
It comes as it approaches its next round of core funding applications to Shetland Charitable Trust and Creative Scotland.
Chief executive Graeme Howell said: “This is your opportunity to help shape our future.
“I know you’ll be honest and positive about what you want us to be and in return we will use your responses to help shape the way we move forward.”
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