Hello,

Thank you to all the parents who attended out very 1st Virtual Parents Information Session via VScene last night.  We learned a few tricks last night that will make it easier in the future for parents.

• If you are happy just to listen login through the App.
• If you want to be able to see any presentations using PowerPoint or use the chat function login using the link on a PC or laptop.

Weblinks request by parents to day to support planning for choices and changes for learners included:

The new school website –

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/sanquharacademy/

SQA courses information –

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45625.3728.html

My World Of Work

https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/

 

The Vscene platform is a secure platform and approved for use within Sanquhar Academy to host private and confidential meetings.

You do not need your own Vscene login to join a meeting, the login option on the website is purely for licence holders/admin.  We will not ask you for anything other than the details below and your name to access a meeting.

In order to join the meeting you will need to:

• Use one of the below joining methods:
  • On your device download the Vscene App from the App/Play Store (see below for app screen when accessing meeting)
  • Click the link below to access the meeting via a computer (see below for browser, hardware, and software support). This will not work on D&G devices from home.
  • Use the ‘phone in’ option and take part as a conference call.
• Allow the app to access your camera and microphone (you will have full control to switch this off/on when in the app)
• To access the meeting room please
  • Type the unique Vscene room number xxxxxxx into the App, then your name (as you want it to appear in the meeting)
  • Click on the link if accessing via a computer: Then add your name (as you want it to appear in the meeting)
  • Call +44 (0)300 201 0142 then enter the extension room number xxxxxxx#

The meeting room will only be available for the time of the meeting. As you will see from above at no point are you asked to register with an email address or input any personal data.

Weblink Brower Details

Supported Browsers*

• Google Chrome:Two most recent versions
• Mozilla Firefox:Two most recent versions
• Opera:Two most recent versions
• Microsoft Edge Chromium

Browsers Not Supported*

• Safari
• Microsoft Edge (this can be updated to Edge Chrome)
• Internet Explorer

*We will continue to update this list as things advance

Hardware and Software

Minimum Requirements

• USB 2.0 for USB camera and audio USB 2.0 for USB camera and audio devices
• We recommend where possible to use a headset when using any browser-based system.
• If required you can use speakers and a separate microphone, but we recommend they are not in close proximity to each other as this may create audio feedback.
• Laptops will have built in camera and mic which is compatible with the Vscene platform

Operating Systems

• Windows 10
• Windows 7, 8.1 until Extended Support ends
• Mac OS X 10.8.5 or later

Hello,

We are delighted to see all pupils back in school today.  I hope that you all had a restful Easter Holiday.

We are looking forward to our virtual parents information sessions over the next two weeks and look forward to seeing you at them. All the instructions to join the meeting are in the calendar on the new school website.

P7 – Will be looking at what is involved in the transition process this year.

S1 – will be looking at what moving into S2 will be like and considering what the curriculum will be next session.

S2 – will be looking at what S3 personalisation and choice is on offer and what the curriculum will look like next session.

S3, S4 and S5 – Will be looking at what the senior phase options are, what the curriculum will look like next session and SQA updates for pupils completing qualifications this session.

S6 – Will be looking at planning for choices and changes and SQA updates for pupils completing qualifications this session.

Parents will also receive a text message with the link to the session and the room number for those who are using the VScene App.

Hello,

Please see the letter from Dr Gillian Brydson regarding return to school.

Letter to Parents 12 April 21

Hello,

When we come back after the Easter Holidays there will be a series of Virtual Information sessions for parents. Within the calendar section on the website there is information on how to join the session for your child. Below are the dates for your diaries. All sessions will take place from 7-8pm

13 April – Into S3, for current S2 pupil’s parents

14 April – Into S4, for current S3 pupil’s parents

15 April – Into S5/S6, for current S4 & S5 pupil’s parents

19 April – Into S2, for current S1 pupil’s parents

20 April – Into S1, for current P7 pupil’s parents

21 April – Into the World, for current pupil’s in S6 parents

To access any of the sessions you will need a computer or a mobile phone with the app for VScene downloaded, the app is free and looks like this.

 

Hello,

As we prepare the School Improvement Plan for session 2021/22, I am looking for some feedback on what you would like to see included. Please complete the questionnaire linked below.

Thank you in anticipation,

Mrs Elaine Hetherington Cree

This week a number of staff from across the school are attending the World Education Summit through Osiris Educational. #osirisedu #worldedsummit.

This will provide the staff team the chance to reflect on educational developments from across the world. Building opportunities to lead and develop Sanquhar Academy to #Be Our Best.

Our virtual classroom is now being used daily to support learners. Maths is currently being delivered using VScene through our Virtual Classroom!  The virtual classroom was installed at Sanquhar Academy as part of the Hub and Spoke project in conjunction with Dumfries & Galloway College.

We have been able to expand the use of this facility to enable teachers and pupils to be brought together when they can’t meet in person, continue with Parent Council meetings during lockdown and after the Easter Holiday we will host Information Evenings to help parent/carers to support their children into next session!  More information on these sessions will be available soon.

From Monday 15 March, pupils in S4 to S6 who are taking national qualifications will begin their return to school and will have priority for face-to-face lessons. Learning and teaching, whether in school or through remote learning, will continue to enable both teachers and pupils to review and consolidate all learning, before moving on to focus on completing assessment evidence.

The number of assessments which pupils will undertake for qualifications purposes may vary across their subjects. This is due to the nature of individual subjects and how they are taught. Pupils should talk to their teachers if they have any questions about what work will count towards assessment evidence.

With the SQA exams being cancelled this year, teachers will use their professional judgement to decide results at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher based on the marked evidence from pupils’ assessments. These will remain provisional results until all quality assurance checks have been carried out.

To ensure provisional results are fair and credible across the whole of Scotland, quality assurance processes will be applied in two phases:

• In the first instance quality assurance will be carried out by the school, with support from the local authority. This includes discussing and agreeing the marking of pupils’ work across all classes and local schools.
• Alongside this SQA will also carry out quality assurance as support for teachers. For example, reviewing their assessment and marking standards. This is to ensure that when teachers conduct assessments, that national standards are applied reliably and consistently across Scotland.

Schools will submit provisional results to SQA by 25 June.

SQA will not adjust provisional results. It will check for administrative errors that might have happened when schools were sending the quality assured results to SQA. When that check is completed, provisional results will become final.

Pupils will receive their results by post on Tuesday 10 August 2021. They will also receive their results by text and/or email if they decided to sign up for this service at www.mysqa.org.uk.

SQA has created an information booklet outlining ‘What you need to know for 2021 – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher’ qualifications. This includes further details on how results will be arrived at and about the quality assurance process for this year.

The booklet is available to download from the SQA website and will be posted directly to your child w/c 15 March.

You can stay up to date on the 2021 National Qualifications by visiting sqa.org.uk/NQ2021.

Please encourage your child to take part in the Lateral Flow Testing to help us keep Sanquhar Academy open for all learners. Additional information is available through the links below to the Dumfries and Galloway website.

In accordance with the Scottish Government guidance, asymptomatic testing is available for all our senior phase pupils.  A supply of Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are available from the school and will be made available to all our senior phase pupils.

For more information on the asymptomatic testing programme is available on the Support DG website: SupportDG – Dumfries and Galloway Council – Asymptomatic Testing in Scottish Primary, Secondary and Special Schools, and ELC Providers (dumgal.gov.uk)

More information

There are Frequently Asked Questions on the Support DG website providing more information on the return to schools: SupportDG – Dumfries and Galloway Council – Reopening of schools – Frequently Asked Questions (dumgal.gov.uk)