Category: Uncategorized
Headteacher’s Update June 2021
Hello,
The Summer Holidays are now upon us, what a year it has been for us all! I would like to express my sincere thanks to all pupils, parents, staff and the community for working so hard alongside us to ensure that the children of Sanquhar Academy have had the opportunity to succeed, despite all the challenges this academic year has brought.
Staffing Update
The following staff are leaving Sanquhar Academy to take up new opportunities and challenges and we wish them every success in the future.
- Stephen Raikes
- Krystin Black
- Derryth Hope
New staff joining us will be:
Kieran Pagan as Teacher of Design and Technology and Euan Gibb as Teacher of Music.
I can advise that the School Leadership Team for session 2021/22 will include:
Sharon McLean will be Depute Headteacher for S4-S6.
Diana Taylor will be Depute Headteacher for S1-S3.
- Oliver Rowe will be Acting Principal Teacher Pupil Support for Wilson House, PE and HE.
- Alison Menzies will be Principal Teacher Pupil Support for Duff House and Expressive Arts. Alison will be taking a break during session 2021/22 and Sophie Nisbet will be Acting Principal Teacher in her absence.
- April McGuchan will be Principal Teacher of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
- Roisin Tweedie will be Principal Teacher of Languages.
- Gemma Moodie will be Principal Teacher of Humanities.
As always if you have any queries or support that may be required for your child, please get in touch with their Pupil Support Principal Teacher in the first instance.
COVID Update
We are hopeful that some of the mitigations currently in place to manage COVID may be able to be reduced into next session. At this point in time the COVID risk assessment in place within the school continues to stand.
I will provide an update in August to advise of any changes that may occur following the Summer Holidays.
I hope that the whole school community enjoys a well earned rest and we look forward to welcoming back all of our learners on the 19th of August.
Final thoughts…
To our fabulous S6 leavers remember
It has been one rollercoaster of a year for you all!
You have worked through it – Survived it! and you are about to continue thriving through it.
Life is always tough – it flings things at us that we are not expecting. As Oprah says no experience in life is ever wasted.
Your strength is the ability to keep smiling and continue to look for the positives, no matter how big or small they are.
Enjoy whatever comes next for you all.
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition June 21
Some of our fabulous senior pupils completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award!
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Thank you to our pupils, for taking the opportunity to complete the award and to the staff team of leaders and our assessor/photographer for supporting the expedition and assessment.
Cracking Crawick
S1 and S2 had the opportunity to take part in developing their skills through Outdoor Learning at Crawick Multiverse, https://www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk/
Thank you to the fabulous Derryth Hope and the Sanquhar Academy Staff and Senior Pupils for organising such a wonderful opportunity for our learners.
Important Message for Pupils from The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Please see important information from The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to be passed onto all pupils.
Dangers of Deliberate Firesetting & Derelict Buildings – Secondary School Holidays
Coronavirus Testing
Hello
Coronavirus Testing continues to be available across the local authority and can be booked online via the website. PCR testing by post is also available. PCR’s can be accessed via the pharmacy in Sanquhar and Kirkconnel.
Please continue to complete Lateral Flow testing for learners in school. Lateral Flow testing will be available throughout the Summer Holiday’s through community settings at Sanquhar fire station and Hillview in Kirkconnell. Please ensure that you have enough Lateral Flow kits to undertake a test prior to returning to school in August.
https://www.nhsdg.co.uk/testing/
S4 – S6 Provisional Grades
Please see the following information regarding Provisional Grades for SQA courses this year –
A letter will be issued at the end of the day on Monday 21st June informing pupils of their Provisional Grades for courses studied at N5 and above this year. These grades are provisional, and a certificate will be issued by SQA on 10th August 2021. For those pupils in S4-S6 who are no longer in school letters can be collected between 2.30 – 3pm. All other letters will be issued at the end of the day. If pupils are absent on Monday, letters will be posted. If pupils/parents would like to discuss results, or any other associated matter, please complete the request form on Teams for an appointment. Please remember we are here to support you!
Coronavirus testing available this weekend
MOBILE TESTING UNITS (MTUs)
Coronavirus testing is available for all members of our community who require Coronavirus testing, through the Mobile Testing Units (MTU) that move around Dumfries and Galloway on a daily basis.
These units offer tests for people who have symptoms of COVID-19.
Times are 1100-1600
- Saturday 12 June 2021 – Sanquhar – Sanquhar Academy, DG4 6JN
- Sunday 13 June 2021 – Kelloholm – Kelloholm Primary School, DG4 6QJ
Appointments can be made at these centers daily from 9:30am, by logging on to the website: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
If you do not have access to the internet please phone
0800 028 2816
Outdoor Learning at Crawick for S1 & S2
On Monday 14th June (S1) and on Tuesday 15th June (S2) we are planning to do some outdoor learning at Crawick. The intention is to build team skills and general knowledge, have fun and complete some work for their Literacy evidence. We will walk up from school after registration, complete some house activities and team games and be back at school for lunch. The refreshment stand will be open to buy any breaktime supplies (if you want them to). After lunch we will be completing some Literacy and Art activities on the school site.
If you have not yet completed a consent form for going offsite, we will need one before we leave.
In terms of clothing, something suited to the weather and comfortable for walking (whether this means sunscreen or waterproofs, who knows!)
If you have any questions, just get in touch.
S6 Leavers Video 2021
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It is with mixed emotions that we post this S6 leaver video. We are sad to be losing such a fabulous group of young people but also delighted to see them moving onto such positive destinations. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our S6 for all that they have done for and with the school, especially during the last very difficult year. We wish you all well and know you will flourish in the new chapter of your lives.
Best wishes from all the staff at Sanquhar Academy.
