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Motion · S6M-14442 · 11 Sep 2024

Congratulating Helen Budge on her 35-year Career in Shetland’s Education and Children’s Services

Lodged by Beatrice Wishart Standard Motion 24 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates Helen Budge on her retirement as director of Children’s Services at Shetland Islands Council after a 35-year career in education and children’s services in Shetland; understands that, after studying teaching at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh, Helen’s first teaching job was in Urafirth in August 1989, followed by a job-sharing teaching post at Dunrossness, part of the second ever job share in the teaching service, after the birth of her first daughter; further understands that, after moving to central office for an initial three-month spell, Helen had various roles within Shetland Islands Council before becoming Head of Schools until a restructuring of the council in 2011 created a Children’s Services Directorate, of which she became the director; notes that Helen considered the creation of a dedicated Children’s Service as recognising the importance of investment and support in Shetland’s children; congratulates Helen on her many achievements over her long career, particularly overseeing the lengthy process of the construction of a new Anderson High School in Lerwick, which opened in 2017; pays tribute to Helen for her role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, from recognising the need to shut schools in Shetland and getting the green light to do so from the Scottish Government a week before the official lockdown began, to navigating the challenges of delivering remote learning; commends Helen for her key role as lead officer in the Northern Alliance collaboration between Shetland and other rural local authorities, which, it understands, has been credited with getting the Scottish Government’s attention of the needs of rural and island local authorities, and has inspired other regional collaborations in Scotland; praises what it sees as Helen’s dedication to seeking to improve the lives of children and young people over her career; understands that Helen will join her daughters Kirsty and Aimee in the running of the family farm at Bigton, and wishes her success with her future endeavours.

Supporters (24)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.