“I knew the effect was going to be good, but never knew it would be superb.”
- Principal describing the impact of the Ambassadors' Academy on her school
Alistair "Crookie" Cruikshank
Facilities Manager
Born and brought up on Skye, Crookie went to Portree High School where he met Amy, who became his wife. His jobs have ranged through those of builders’ labourer, welder, lorry-driver, policeman and working as part of the drilling crew on oil rigs. Part of the initial local Steering Group formed to look at the possibility of there being a Centre in Staffin, Crookie applied for the position of Caretaker/Handyman when Columba 1400 opened in June 2000. In this role, he ‘gets into every corner of the place’, keeping it maintained to a high standard. A Gaelic-speaker at home, a language he had to learn, for his three children it is their first language. Crookie has ‘a wee croft with some coos’ some of which he grazes behind the houses in Garafad, in a common area rented by the township.
messages from our graduates
Hello columbans! We're in school working on our columba presentation tae show our school management team! Missin everybody! We've got a website in the proces of bein made wae pictures n info on our trip tae skye n as soon as its finished we'll write yooz a letter to tell yese the address! Lovin yees n leevin yese! Marge n Flora 2k6 - in the mix!
Lol Me And Mick Just Wanted Tay Say Thanks For A Brilliant Week And You All Have Helped Us See People In A Different Light :D ! We Sat On The Bus Together Talking About It From half 6 To 9 Oclock Lol! Saying We're Going To Miss You All And The Landscape. We Were Just Saying We Would Also Miss Guy The Good Guy To speak To! - Mick & Debbie
hi to all the staff at columba 1400 and a bigger hello to willie stevie and anne. I loved that friday that you come down for the whole day hope to see you again soon love fi Alannah
hi 2 every at columba! i had such an magic time with u all back in november - thanks for givin me the chance! doin ok since gettig back, hope 1 day i can vist again. be in touch soon, Vicky
hey to all the columban staff use were all great and so was the experince thanks for having us and i really enjoyed the music played there - Matt
i just wanted to email us to say hi and how are things going? hi ta abady especially willie - i wld like ta say thanx ta u for sayin that about me, bcse nobody has ever said anyting like dat ta me b4. so i wld like ta say thanx to him and stevie 4 makin da best hot chocolate in the world - Daniel