This is to outline the arrangements for the Victim Support Scotland national Schools Public Speaking competition 2009. The national semi-finals are taking place on April 22 & 23 in Committee Room 1 of North Lanarkshire Council’s offices in Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, and the nearby Coatbridge High School in Albert Street.

The Primary semi-final will be in Committee Room 1 from 10am – 12noon on the 22^nd (registration from 9.15am). The first Secondary semi-final will be in Coatbridge High School from 2-4pm the same day (registration from 1.15pm) and the second Secondary semi-final will again be in Coatbridge High School from 10am-12noon on the 23^rd (registration from 9.15am).

Invitations are being sent to the President of the Directors of Education in Scotland; to the Directors of the 17 educational regions which have schools represented in the semi-finals; and to the North Lanarkshire Council Provost and leading political figures. We also anticipate that their will be government representation at the event.

Four Primary and four Secondary teams will be selected to progress to the national final in the City Chambers, Glasgow, on May 28 (details of this closer to the time but it will be an afternoon event).

It is important for any other staff/volunteers who wish to attend, or any individuals to whom they would want an invitation to be extended, to supply their name, title, address and postcode as quickly as possible to Kirsty Wells at: Kirsty.wells@victimsupportsco.org.uk