February 21, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents/Carers
Please see below a link to the registration form for a National Parent Forum of Scotland event which is being held tonight from 7:45pm to 8:45pm with Public Health Scotland. The focus of the webinar is the return to school of learners in S4 – S6.
You can register for this event by clicking here.
Kind regards
Grange Academy
February 21, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
We look forward to welcoming a phased return of a small group of our Senior Phase pupils from tomorrow.
For tomorrow, Monday 22nd February 2021, the following pupils should attend:
Art
Mrs Gray’s S5/6 Class
Music
Mr Keachie’s S5/6 Class
Practical Woodworking Skills
Mr Cree’s S4 Class
Drama
Miss McConachie’s S4 Class
Design and Manufacture
Miss McManus’s S4 Class (Group A only – please see SatchelOne/Teams for info)
Graphic Communication
Mr Gilchrist’s S5/6 Column E Class ( Group A only – please see SatchelOne/Teams for info)
A reminder that pupils involved in the above subjects should enter the school by the entrance at the Annanhill Car Park (Maths and Music) end of the Street and should go straight to the relevant department.
For pupils who have been attending the In School Provision – they should enter by the entrance at the Beech Avenue (English/Library) end of the Street.
Thank you
February 18, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is offering parents and carers an online opportunity to find out more about how they can help their child make their S2/3 subject choices for the Senior Phase. Scotland’s national skills agency has organised the virtual session on Thursday 25 February which will also give parents and carers information about accessing a wide range of SDS support.
Careers advisers Joan Duncan and Gemma Smith will be providing expert advice for parents and carers of young people in S2 and S3.
Joan said: “Thinking about what options to choose at school can be daunting for young people and their parents and carers. As well as this session, SDS also has a Subject Choices tool on SDS’s My World of Work website which helps pupils explore where options choices can take them.
“It gives young people and their parents and carers the opportunity to explore job profiles, industries, Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships, refine their search by what someone is most interested in and use the tool as many times as they like to find out more about different options. There are other tools to try and the more tools you try, the better career suggestions we can give.”
This virtual event, which is from 6.30pm until 7.15pm, will also have a question and answer session.
To take part please register here
February 18, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents, Carers and Pupils,
Please find attached information related to the phased return of some S4 – S6 pupils from Monday 22nd February 2021. Pupils should only attend on the days specified on the timetable. Class teachers will also communicate specific information (for example where groupings are being used etc) directly with their classes via SatchelOne and Teams.
Whilst the majority of this letter relates to the phased return of some of our S4 – S6 pupils, there is relevant information for all parents, carers and pupils.
SESSIONS
As mentioned at the bottom of the letter each session scheduled on the timetable will last for the full day. For example if you are in Mr Keachie’s S5/6 Music Class then you would attend all day on Monday 22nd February.
UNIFORM
There is no requirement for pupils to wear school uniform at this stage but pupils can if they wish to.
Please click on each of the images to open the full file.
Letter from Mr Johnston
Timetable for return
February 17, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
FAO of S3 – S5 pupils wishing to apply for a School-College Course
Pupils who are intending to apply for a School-College Course for next session have been added to a Team where we have uploaded a range of information regarding the process.
Next week we will also host a live session with Ashleigh Brown (Ayrshire College Schools Partnership Link) who will give an overview of college provision, provide support on completing your application and will be available to answer any question you may have.
These sessions will take place on Monday 22nd February at the following times:
S3 into S4 – During PSE at 9:35am
S4/5 into S5/6 – 1pm
Meetings will be scheduled on Teams to allow you to join.
If you are still interested in applying for a School-College Course and have not been added to this Team please let your Guidance teacher know as soon as possible.
Kind regards
Stephen Cowan
Depute Head Teacher
February 10, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents/Carers and S4/5 Pupils,
As we begin the Personalisation and Choice (Options) process in advance of Session 2021/22 please find attached copies of relevant documents and presentations to help you.
Please click on each of the images to open the relevant document.
February 8, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents/Carers and S3 Pupils,
As we begin the Personalisation and Choice (Options) process in advance of Session 2021/22 please find attached copies of relevant documents and presentations to help you.
Please click on each of the images to open the relevant document.
Please click here to visit the Ayrshire College School College Course website.
February 5, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parent/Carer,
Whilst it might seem strange considering the current situation, this is the point in the year when we would always start our planning for next session’s timetable.
Next week, we will begin the Personalisation and Choice (Options) process in preparation for Session 2021/22. The process will begin with a live lesson for S3 – S5 pupils during their PSE period next week. These will take place on Teams at the following times:
S3 – Monday 8th February at 9:35am (Period 2)
S4 – Wednesday 10th February at 9am (Period 1)
S5 – Wednesday 10th February at 10:30am (Period 3)
As this is the first time S2 pupils will have undertaken the Options Process we will be taking a slightly different approach with them and this will commence after the February Holiday.
Further information such as Options Information Booklets and Presentations for parents and carers will be uploaded to our website next week. These will also be shared via our school app and email.
Kind regards
Stephen Cowan
Depute Head Teacher
February 2, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents/Carers,
Following the FM’s statement this afternoon on the very limited and part time return to school for our senior pupils on week beginning 22nd February, further details will follow over the next few days from East Ayrshire Council and ourselves on how we plan to manage this development safely and effectively.
In the meantime, please continue with the great work you are doing in working with us to support and progress learning at home in these challenging times.
Kind regards
Robert Johnston
Headteacher
January 28, 2021
by Mr COWAN
0 comments
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are now coming to the end of our third week of remote learning and hopefully we will start to see an improving situation regarding the transmission rate of this virus in Scotland and the possibility of a return to school as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime I would like to give you a quick update on school business over this past week.
All staff have been working hard to support and progress learning at home. This week’s school bulletin (see website) highlights a small sample of the creative approaches which are being used to making learning interesting. We are well aware of the challenges families are facing at this time and we’re doing our very best to provide a meaningful and worthwhile learning experience at home for our young people.
Resources for learning
Our staff have been out and about in the local area delivering resource packs, musical instruments, design folios to pupils and it has been great to hear your positive feedback and suggestions for improvement during our doorstop conversations. We are grateful to all of our parents and carers for their ongoing support at this time. Should any pupils require any additional resources to support their home learning (jotters, pencils etc) – please complete the online form available on the school app and the school website. We’ll do our best to get these to you as soon as possible.
Option Choices (Curriculum)
At this time of year we would normally be starting the Options Process for pupils in S2 to S5. Staff have been meeting to plan for this activity and we are in the process of collating our Options Information and Guidance to share with pupils, parents and carers. We will issue an online form to all families for completion and pupils will have additional inputs via their PSE class.
Rebecca and Scott, our Careers Advisors, are also available for contact via our school app or website should you have any questions in relation to Career Paths and Career Education.
Reporting
Work is currently underway to produce tracking/progress reports. Whilst working remotely staff do not have access to the reporting platforms and therefore tracking information is being collated from teaching staff before being processed on to the software by our clerical team. Reports will be posted out to families when the process has been completed.
SQA
In addition to the letters issued on the school App yesterday, the SQA is setting up panels of key stakeholders so they can get ‘quick pictures’ of what parents and young people groups think about important issues. For this to work effectively, they are looking for parents and carers of school learners to take part in surveys. Parents/Carers of S4–S6 learners should sign up through the following link: https://bit.ly/2V3KNAV and young people themselves can take part in the survey through this link: https://bit.ly/2HJ1UVO .
Pupil Voice
Our Prefect Pupil Voice Team met last week to review what is going well for them and what their challenges are.
What’s going well? – They are enjoying working at their own pace and using new tools (such as online tutorials and pre-recorded Loom videos) to support their learning. They particularly appreciate the helpful feedback they are receiving from their teachers and – where relevant – additional specialist support from staff.
What are the challenges? – Staying focused and keeping up with learning is certainly a challenge. This has been shared with staff via our Principal Teachers’ Meeting, so that young people’s experience of remote learning continues to inform our reflection and planning.
Our Prefects will be chairing a series of Student Council Focus Groups via Microsoft Teams over the next few weeks, inviting a range of fellow pupils from different year groups to discuss their learning and wellbeing. If you receive a phone call asking your child to participate, please encourage them to do so. If your child would like to be involved, they are welcome to email Mrs Brotherston.
Transition
Grange Education Group P7 Transition Team are hosting a Teams Meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss our planning for P7 Transition around the current Government guidelines. Ms Sharon Reid our PT ASN is continuing her virtual Transition meetings which she had started before Christmas with families of P7 pupils with Additional Support Needs in all our Associated Primaries.
Supporting engagement in learning
The Pastoral Care Team have this week been making calls to S4-6 pupils who seem be struggling to submit work to staff in some subjects. We are working in partnership with our families to ensure that everyone is accessing their on-line work and continuing to ensure that every pupil is completing the course work required for all their certificated subjects even though we are not in school.
The Information section in the School App has on-line referral forms to allow you to contact us for advice or support. Please note that pupils can message their class teacher for support through SatchelOne (previously called ShowMyHomework).
(Please also see the information below on support for Mental Health and Wellbeing)
Kind regards,
Robert Johnston
~~~
Support for mental health and wellbeing
5 steps to mental wellbeing
Research tells us there are 5 steps we can take to support our mental wellbeing: connect, be active, keep learning, give to others and be mindful.
If you or your child would like to try mindfulness, there are excellent free resources on Headspace website, app and YouTube. At Grange Academy, we teach the .b mindfulness curriculum (from the Mindfulness in Schools Project) in PSE, and 3 videos we use (to support improved focus and good sleep) are available at .b mindfulness videos.
For adults, the Oxford Mindfulness Centre (which provides training courses for our staff) offers free guided meditations. If you’re interested, it’s worth following MiSP and Oxford Mindfulness Centre on Facebook and Twitter as they regularly offer free resources and courses for adults and young people.
If you’d like to understand why mindfulness is so often recommended for wellbeing, there’s a short YouTube video which explains.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran Keeping Well During Covid-19 advice page has links to advice and support for adults, children and young people.
East Ayrshire Council
EAC Mental Health and Wellbeing web pages are devoted to mental health and wellbeing and give links to local and national organisations.
The Council has developed 2 booklets (to support people to turn away from suicidal thoughts) which provide links to organisations which give expert assistance with a variety of challenging personal, social, health and financial issues. Directory of support for young people Directory of support for adults
Helplines
Breathing Space (delivered by NHS 24) 0800 83 85 87 is available 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday).
If you are feeling distressed, in a state of despair, suicidal or need emotional support outwith these hours you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are ill and can’t wait until your GP surgery re-opens you can call NHS 24 on 111. For an emergency ambulance you should dial 999.
Glow Blogs uses cookies to enhance your experience on our service. By using this service or closing this message you consent to our use of those cookies. Please read our Cookie Policy.