It has been lovely to welcome back a small number of S4-S6 pupils for practical based learning this week. Their application and productivity within the three hour sessions has been amazing and many young people have completed their work. We are now in the process of devising a timetable for weeks 3 and 4 (8 and 15 March) for S4-S6 pupils still to complete practical tasks and we will email this to parents/carers in the middle of next week. The usual mitigations of 2M social distancing – arrival, departure, corridors and classrooms is in place and the wearing of face coverings for all staff and senior phase pupils (unless exempt). More details about this were in my letter last week.
Pupils who will be required to attend during weeks 3 and 4 will be contacted directly by their teachers via Google Classroom, and parents/carers will also get a text reminder for their young person the day before they are due to attend school. Transport for those who get home to school transport will also be arranged and the school or transport services will be in touch with you regarding these.
Engagement in remote learning continues to be good and a huge thank you to parents/carers for encouraging your young people to continue with a routine in terms of their learning.
Lateral Flow Test Devices for S4-S6
The latest information on this testing can be accessed by staff, senior pupils and families here. This information is kept up-to-date at all times. The testing only applies to the small number of pupils in S4-S6 attending school for practical tasks. However it will be applicable to all in S4-S6 as school resumes on a larger scale. All those pupils (S4-S6) and staff who attended school this week have been offered to be part of the testing programme and been given consent forms and kits if they wished to participate. Testing is voluntary but recommended.
SQA Update
S3 Learner Pathways
Pupil Support Leaders (PSLs) have been having Google Meetings this week, with S3 pupils, to support them with their learner pathway subject choices for S4. Thank you to those who engaged with this.
A reminder that S4 into S5 will have their coursing interviews w/b 1 March and S5 into S6 the w/b 8 March. Pupils should ensure they are checking their emails regularly as PSLs will be in touch with details as to when their interview will take place.
S2 Learner Pathways/Course Choice
We are keen to support our S2 pupils as they make their choices for S3. Normally we would not have one to one course choice interviews for S2, but we would support them through the process as part of our PSE programme.
As that is difficult under the present circumstances, we would like to remind pupils that support is available and that they should contact their Pupil Support Leader directly (see below) if they have any questions about their course choices (Steven Illingworth, DHT).
Ms L Adam – Garleton
Mr S Meekison – Lammerlaw
Mrs W Doig - Traprain
In School Learning – all pupils
Parents/carers who are key workers are able to make an application to East Lothian Council to request a space in the in-school provision for P4-S3 pupils only. Priority will be given to those key workers in category 1 and category 2 where both parent/carers are key workers or where there is a single parent who is a key worker. Wherever possible, parents/carers should make use of informal young person care arrangements in line with the Scottish Government Guidance. As always, health and safety of our school community comes first. In order to ensure the risk of transmission remains low, there is a need to limit the number of pupils working in school with a focus on supporting those in the most need. When in school, all pupils will be working in defined ‘bubbles’ (including at break and lunchtimes), asked to ensure hand sanitising on entry/exit to the building, encouraged to wear face coverings (S4-S6 must wear these as do staff supporting this provision) and asked to maintain physical distancing at all times.
COVID-19
Positive Cases: Please continue to report any positive cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or telephone 01875 613921.
Please note: If your young person is attending school (or in-school provision), please do not send them if they, or anyone in your household has tested positive or has Covid-19 symptoms. Please self-isolate and book a test. If they are in S4-S6 and attending school for a practical subject(s) and they test positive using the lateral flow device testing kit, they should also self-isolate and book a PCR test.
Learning Estate Review
East Lothian Council’s vision is to develop a modern, safe, sustainable learning estate that enhances and supports communities while improving the lives of families equally no matter what area they are in. We’re now undertaking a pre-consultation activity which will help to inform a review of our Learning Estate.
An online survey has been created to gather views from the community. This feedback will help inform how we move forward with a full Learning Estate Review.
The pre-consultation public survey will be open from Monday 22 February until Monday 15 March, during which time the survey will be accessible on the East Lothian Council Consultation Hub.
More information and the online survey can be found at https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/education/learning-estate-review-pre-consultation
If you have any queries please contact learningestatereview@eastlothian.gov.uk
Bake-Off – results
Meadow Park’s winner: Haakon Christiansen - Biscoff Billionaire Traybake
S1: Zac Wishart - Chocolate and Caramel Ridiculous Cake
S2: Amiee Walker - Pool balls
S3: Ivy Briggs - Frog cake
S4: Anna Wood - Harry Potter The Monster Book of Monsters
S5: Sally Greenshields - Birthday Cake
S6: Alistar McKinlay - Pizza
Staff: Maura Maloney - Sourdough Foccacia
Thank you very much to Mungos Well who has kindly sponsored this Bake-Off are providing flour as prizes to the winners - encouraging them to continue with their amazing baking.
A huge well done to all who entered and for our super judges in the HE Department – Mrs Cochrane and Ms J Donald. Photos os winning entries can be viewed on our Twitter feed. Keep your eyes peeled for the next competition.
Have a lovely weekend, and if you want to support local businesses, pop along to the Haddington Farmers Market that is on this weekend. Some lovely produce!
Sue Cook
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@knoxacademy @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates
