Edinburgh introduced Britain to the university centenary, an established form of celebration in continental Europe.
The ceremonies in 1884 can be seen in the framework of the late nineteenth century ‘invention of tradition’. Such events usually asserted the links of the university with national and local communities and with the state.
The Edinburgh celebrations marked the opening of a new medical school, after a public appeal which itself strengthened relations with graduates and wealthy donors.
The city council, local professional bodies, and the student community all played a prominent part in the events of 1884, which were a significant episode in the development of student representation. Analysis of the speeches given on the occasion suggests that the university sought to promote the image of a great medical and scientific university, with the emphasis on teaching and professional training rather than research, for the ideal of the ‘Humboldtian’ research university was still a novelty in Britain.
Tercentenary rhetoric also expressed such themes as international academic cooperation, embodied in the presence of leading scientists and scholars, the harmony of religion and science, and a liberal protestant view of the rise of freedom of thought.
The tercentenary coincided with impending legislation on Scottish universities, which encouraged assertions of the public character of these institutions, and of the nation’s distinct cultural identity. One striking aspect, however, was the absence of women from the formal proceedings, and failure to acknowledge the then current issue of women’s admission to higher education.
Originally founded as the Society of Teachers in 1846 and incorporated by royal charter as The College of Preceptors in 1849, the name changed to The College of Teachers in 1998. The College published The Educational Times from 1847 to 1923 and now publish the quarterly academic journal Education Today.
The College moved into a new purpose built building erected on a plot on the south side of Bloomsbury Square adjoining Southampton Street in 1887 and remained there for the whole of the twentieth century.
Former home of the College of Preceptors designed by the architect Frederick Pinches, a new building in red brick with dressings of Portland stone, and carved stone panels above the ground and first floor windows decorated with medallions of famous educators from John Locke and John Milton to Pestalozzi and Froebel. Photograph by Robert Freidus.Royal Charter of 1849
The first professional body for teachers. Women were admitted to the College from 1849. In 1873 the first Professorship of Education in the country was established here, with the appointment of Joseph Payne (Fifty Years of Progress in Education: A Review of the Work of the College of Preceptors from its Foundation in 1846 to its Jubilee in 1896)
Edinburgh was chosen as the site for the first International Forestry Exhibition in 1884.
The Scottish Arboriculture Society and planned the exhibition on 7 to 8 acres of land on which was erected a handsome wooden building in the park, designed by architect William H Playfair.
The opening of the Exhibition was performed by the Marquis of Lothian on 1st July 1884 at around one o’clock. There were over 50 and colonial and foreign countries from China to Peru, rare and beautiful trees and shrubs from around the world, displays of wood working machinery, and 500 private exhibitors.
Illustrated London News 19 July1884.
“Everything connected with forestry is especially attractive just now when so much attention is being drawn to the subject in its very varied aspects by the Exhibition at Edinburgh.” Nature 30, 309-310 (31 July 1884)
Gladstone’s Party with the locally built coach of the electric train in the grounds of the Exhibition site in 1884.
“This morning as we go to press, there is being conducted on the lines of the Edinburgh Street Tramway Company opposite the Forestry Exhibition, an interesting experiment with the view of testing application of electricity as a motive power in the working of ordinary street tramway traffic.” Scotsman Newspaper on 11th October 1884
The growth of the railways was a major threat to forests. A mile of rail line needed 1760 wooden sleepers which would have a life of eight years. In addition to the sleepers, wood was needed to run the steam engines of the railways. There was no way to maintain the supply of wood without destroying the forests unless some special management was undertaken.
Arboriculture in 1850s included the raising and establishment of young trees in open ground by the gardener or estate forester, many estates creating an arboretum to observe the performance of these new species. More familiar species were planted for the improvement of estates as landscape groups, or as shelter belts for stock, or as plantations for timber.
Early records of the Scottish Arboricultural Society, show that in 1868-1872, members were concerned about ‘The effects of forests on climate’ and approached the British Council for the Advancement of Science to discuss a project on this topic.
Queen Victoria became Patron of the Society in 1869 and granted a Royal Charter to the Society in 1887 so that it became the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
Education and training of foresters was formally discussed in 1881. Dr Cleghorn, President in 1873 and 1874, was familiar with contemporary developments in forestry in India and described the practices to Society members. Between 1875 and 1886 pressure for forestry training was maintained, leading to a petition to Parliament. In 1882, plans were mooted to hold an International Forestry Exhibition, jointly with the Highland and Agricultural Society. Profits from the exhibition were to be put towards funding a forestry school at Edinburgh University. The Exhibition opened in 1884 in Edinburgh. During the three months it was open half a million people attended. Although there was a surplus, it was not enough to fund a forestry school at Edinburgh.
In the inaugural lecture of the ‘School of Forestry’ at Edinburgh in 1889, Dr William Somerville differentiated between forestry as including formal management of land for sustained timber production and arboriculture as relating to more general management of individual trees.
The change in perceptions and needs brought about by the 1914-18 war, eventually led to University Chairs of Forestry being created, one at Edinburgh in 1919 and one at Aberdeen in 1926.
This School sees its responsibility as ensuring that the accomplishments of each child reflects their talents and interests so they leave Ibstock Place School as creative, resilient and empathetic adults.
Each child is able to find their strengths whether it is becoming the promising musician, the meticulous scholar, the outstanding sportsman or the talented artist.Enthusiastic and ambitious staff attach great importance to the development of the individuality of each child and everyone having regard for tolerance, courtesy and respect.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the learning experiences of Friedrich Froebel for the very young were seen as the key to social progress and to the health of society. The educational benefactor Mrs Julia Salis Schwabe (1819–1896) decided to establish a teacher training college with a Demonstration School in England based on his teaching principles. She asked Claude Montefiore (1858–1938) to be Secretary of the inaugural Froebel Society, which would support the College and the School. They, as joint benefactors, agreed to meet any financial deficits.
In 1896 the College and School were opened by the Empress Frederick (Daughter of Queen Victoria). The first headmistress was Esther Lawrence.
A mural by Indigenous Australian artist Emily Kngwarreye has been hung in the dining room at The Lodge.
A huge mural by Indigenous artist Emily Kngwarreye dominates the formal room, and is sure to be a talking point at many official dinners. Bright pink and orange brushstrokes steal the scene upon entry to the room.
Mrs Turnbull has broken with tradition in the dining room, hanging many bold contemporary artworks selected from the National Gallery’s collection.
Mrs Turnbull said it was important for the art in The Lodge to “express Australia through its whole history”.
“I was very keen that it expressed lots of different thoughts and strains and aspirations and different ways of showing what a great country we are.”
Pieces by Indigenous artists Paddy Bedford and Rover Thomas grace the formal sitting rooms.
The work of many female Australian artists adorn the walls, including Margaret Preston, Ethel Carrick and Rosalie Gascoigne.
There are plenty of iconic pieces including an Arthur Streeton landscape of Queensland’s Magnetic Island, which has been on display in The Lodge for many years.
Russell Drysdale and Arthur Boyd works make an appearance in rooms used to entertain guests and there is a Sidney Nolan in the Prime Minister’s study.
Lucy Turnbull brings brought bold, contemporary Australian art into The Lodge, brightening up the Prime Ministerial residence.
The Lodge was built in 1927. The 40 room residence has housed Prime Ministers and their families for 89 years. It is not grand, but is a beautiful house with a rich history.
The Lodge in Canberra is situated within 1.8 hectares of grounds and is traditionally the principal residence of the Prime Minister of Australia.
The Lodge was built by Australian craftsmen using local materials to a design by architect J S Taylor of Glebe, Sydney. The plan incorporated a site with lawns, flowers, fruit and vegetable gardens, orchards, a tennis court and a croquet lawn. The decoration and furnishing was under the supervision of interior designer Ruth Lane-Poole.
The Australiana Fund recognizes the importance of representing not only Australia’s historic traditions, but also our modern culture. Examples of this can be seen in several commissions by contemporary artists and craftspeople. Among the artworks on loan to The Lodge by The Australiana Fund, there are objects with Prime Ministerial and historic provenance such as an earthenware jug resembling Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and Sir Henry Parkes’ campaign secretaire.
Private garden of 3½ acres in Georgian New Town, Edinburgh. Shrubs, trees and beds offer an atmosphere of tranquillity for residents, subject to payment of an annual subscription.
Scotland’s Gardens is a registered charity. Created in 1931, we raise funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.
Moray Place is perhaps Edinburgh’s most sought after New Town address and a fine example of Georgian architecture. Situated within easy walking distance of the city centre, Moray Place is a beautiful, quiet, circular terrace arranged around tranquil private central gardens. There are further terraced gardens on the banks of the Water of Leith. Residents can apply for access to both of these.
The Earl of Moray, had plans drawn up in 1822 to develop his estates, Northwest of the New Town sloping down to the Water of Leith. The terrace houses around Moray Place were built between 1822 and 1830 to the design of James Gillespie Graham.
The original character of the Georgian era New Town, with its cobbled roads, pillars, and sandstone block facades is preserved today by building codes that stipulate even the wrought iron railings must be painted a specific colour – black. New Town residences were built along an integrated and harmonious plan, with residences set near pleasant communal gardens and attractive views. Edinburgh’s New Town is a marvel of urban planning, combining elegant architecture with spacious and comfortable housing.
Karl Froebel lived at 20 Moray Place, Edinburgh. Karl Froebel was one of the five nephews of Friedrich Froebel, who were educated at the school founded in 1816 at Griesham.
Karl Froebel was in Manchester for a while before moving to Edinburgh to open a school with his wife Johanna Kustner Froebel. Clementine (wife of Sir Winston Churchill and a life peeress in her own right) was educated first at home, then briefly at the Edinburgh school run by Karl Froebel. (Soames, M. (2002). Clementine Churchill: The Biography of a Marriage London, Doubleday)
academics should not reject the very idea of networking out of hand, but embrace it as a valuable strategy for surrounding yourself with happy people who are happy to help you.
Many academics reject the very idea of networking for a variety of reasons. Many feel that acquiring and using professional contacts is more appropriate for those in industry or business, but not in academia.
Younger academics may shy away from the idea of proactively approaching peers and senior colleagues because they are introverted or because they don’t know how to start.
Networking is somewhat like exercise in that it requires extensive time and effort without being able to see immediate results.
The tendency to refrain from networking can limit people from reaching their full potential.
The Matthias Utinger Marble Tree is an enchanting eco friendly educational wonder.
Six marbles make deeper and deeper notes as they plink plonk down the tuned wooden leaves of the tree, before plopping into the base.
The Wooden Marble Tree is a longtime favourite of the Waldorf and Montessori school systems and was inspired by their principles of constructive play.
It is ethically made, environmentally sound, and nontoxic.
Matthias Utinger is an award winning Swiss designer of educational toys. His glorious invention was nearly lost to us when the original manufacturer went into bankruptcy in 2006. It is now produced by a family company specializing in quality wooden toys.
German Design Prize Winner, 2000
Hand made Germany
Suitable for all people over 3 years of age
Melodious tones bring joy to kids and adults alike
Brilliant hued leaves transition from yellow to deep green in a lovely rainbow of colors
Includes wooden tree with six marbles
Gravity makes beautiful music as the included marbles bounce from wooden leaf to leaf
Psychologists refer to these dimensions as warmth and competence respectively. Ideally you want to be perceived as having both.
Warmth, or trustworthiness, is the most important factor in how people evaluate you.
If someone does not trust you, you are not going to get very far. You might even elicit suspicion because you come across as manipulative.
Displaying your strength can backfire
Cuddy says, “A warm, trustworthy person who is also strong elicits admiration, but only after you’ve established trust does your strength become a gift rather than a threat.”
Warmth facilitates trust and the communication and absorption of ideas. Even a few small nonverbal signals; a nod, a smile, an open gesture, can show people that you are pleased to be in their company and attentive to their concerns. Prioritizing warmth helps you connect immediately with those around you, demonstrating that you hear them, understand them, and can be trusted by them.
When we feel confident and calm, we project authenticity and warmth.
St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne has become the only cathedral in the southern hemisphere with a designated girls’ choir.
“The Cathedral believes that women and girls should be given the same opportunities for leadership and ministry in our Cathedral as men and boys: whether they aspire to be archbishops or choristers.”
The Dean of Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe, is delighted at the new venture. “Many cathedrals in Australia have mixed choirs. We are privileged in adding an entirely new choir to our traditional choir of boys and men, which has been leading choral weekday and Sunday services since 1888.”
Lowther Hall, which has a strong track record as a leading educator in arts and music, was chosen as the Cathedral Girls’ Choir School after a rigorous 18 month selection process.
The principal, Ms Elisabeth Rhodes, observes: “This is a significant milestone for our school and an appropriate recognition of girls and women within the Anglican Church. We are honoured to have been selected. It is a wonderful opportunity for the girls and will enhance Lowther Hall’s extensive range of musical offerings for our students.”
London, Doubleday)
, Cuddy says people quickly answer two questions when they first meet you:
