Dear Parent/Carer

And so we reach the end of another extraordinary period in the history of our school. Last week I explained that it had been a joy to have the kids back in, albeit in a limited way, and this week has also been well worthwhile. We are confident that we will open for all, without distancing rules and smaller classes, on 12 April. I should caveat that by saying that the Deputy First Minister is still to fully confirm this arrangement. However, we appear to be good to go.

Well done to the young people who have signed up and collected their Covid test kits this week. We are asking everyone in the school to test on a Sunday and Wednesday evening from after Easter and report all results to the NHS. It’s another mitigation. Please note that face masks will need to be worn at all times too. Those who do not yet have their Covid test kits will be able to pick them up from the PSO base from Monday 12 April.

We had relaxed uniform rules in place over the past fortnight given the unusual situation. We now expect full uniform again for next term. As you know, our chief focus has been re-connecting and getting used to the school environment once more. From April 12, learners can expect a stronger focus on learning and routine. For S4-6, the main thing will be getting “match fit” for the SQA assessments they will take in class during May and June.

This week, senior staff have been getting organised for the Alternative Certification Model as it is known. I’ve sent home the link to the SQA booklet which explains this. In a nutshell, although every subject will be different in the detail, candidates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher will be assessed in class time using tests calibrated to demonstrate the same standard as the exams. Sometimes we’ll use past questions, perhaps modified versions of these and the SQA have also provided a “bank” of test items, only available on their secure site. We can’t run our own exam diet, but we want the assessments to be fair, taken under exam conditions, and of the same standard as those being set across Scotland. Typically, pupils will be given feedback to improve their anticipated grade before we come to final conclusions in the middle of June. To help us get the standard right, we’ll be working with other colleagues in schools across Fife to agree what will constitute a pass, an “A” grade etc

To give you an early idea of your son or daughter’s prospects we are planning to send you an indication of working grades and our assessment of recent engagement with learning. Because of “lockdown”, the grade will be based on teacher judgement rather than assessment evidence at this time. It will be useful for a student marked as a C, but who is hoping for an A, to know that they will have a busy time ahead studying and revising. Equally, to actually secure any grade at all, candidates will now need to provide us with the evidence, typically by passing the “class tests”. For that reason, please don’t regard the “working grade” we will provide as any kind of guarantee at all. In some cases, it will be a motivator. We have a lot of kids who will be keen to improve on the working grade and show what they can do. Mrs Davidson is currently working on an assessment calendar and we will also make that available to you at the same time as the grade indicators, probably week beginning 26 April.

To close, you’ll maybe want to know that we were contacted this week by Fife Council to see if we would like to feature on the “Good Morning Britain” show on ITV on 12 April. The programme makers are keen to do something on the return of Scottish schools full time. Apparently, you should watch out for live segments of reporting just after 6am, 7am and 8am. Of course, this means that we are going to need a group of staff and our Pupil Leadership Team on the premises here at 5am! That’s one way of getting the summer term off to a flying start.

As always, thanks for all your trust and support. Together, we’ve been through a lot lately. Here’s hoping that the term ahead is the real turning point that we all deserve. You have a lovely holiday.

Derek Allan
RECTOR
26 March 2021