Dear Parent/Carer
Unfortunately it’s been another week marred by absence and some service disruption. However, as always, we find a way! Welcome to the Rector’s Log.
Staff sickness absence is an ongoing problem at KHS and other Fife schools right now. The situation is is in no small part down to teachers and other staff testing positive for Covid or awaiting test results. We’ve also had the usual “background” levels of illness and personal absence too, so things have been pretty difficult. In many cases, young people will not have their regular teacher and will have been supervised by either a supply teacher hired in for the day or a non-subject specialist. We have even had a couple of redeployed teachers from Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. I don’t know if you heard, but they had a partial closure this week due to a serious flood. I’m grateful to Mrs Davie (Headteacher), and the teachers out on loan from Auchmuty.
As you would expect, the absence crisis is not confined to the staff. This week, we have seen 68 new pupil cases reported to us. The good news is that this is actually a 40% reduction on last week’s figure. I’m just hoping that this is a positive sign and the trend line on that graph is turning (crosses fingers). I’m sure you’ll appreciate that under strained conditions such as these, it’s difficult for us to provide some aspects of a “normal” service, including posting learning resources online on “Teams” to cover every situation right away. Please bear with us and be assured that we are trying our best in the circumstances.
An important reminder … please do inform us if your son or daughter is experiencing symptoms or has tested positive. It’s important for us to continue to keep track of cases. And even if a Lateral Flow test is negative, please send in the results online.
We have distributed more boxes of LFT kits at the start of this week so there should be enough supply to see us to the October break. Please arrange to test every Wednesday and Sunday evening and also ensure that your kid brings their own reusable face covering every day. Thank you for doing your bit. As well as the usual employability bulletin, please see attached a letter from Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, detailing the Scottish Government’s latest Covid advice. It explains that you will soon receive details about the vaccination plans for consenting 12-15 year olds.
In non-Covid news, it was my great pleasure to attend our adventure camp at Fordell Firs on Wednesday and I was so impressed by the spirit shown by our young people. They worked so well together, egging each other on to do their very best and many overcame personal challenges as they took part in rock climbing, abseiling and other outdoor adventure activities. Our Second Years get the chance next week and the week after.
S3 parents and carers are reminded of next Wednesday’s virtual parents evening. To make your appointments please login at https://parents-booking.co.uk/kirkcaldyhigh. The site is “live” for bookings right up until 11.55pm on Tuesday 21 September. All you will need is a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a computer with a webcam. Call us on 01592 583405 if that’s a problem and we can help out.
Also on Wednesday next week, we are holding our in-school flu vaccination clinic (by nasal spray). All those in S5 and S6 who returned the consent form will be offered an appointment by NHS Fife. I’m not quite sure when the slips will be distributed and we are in discussion with the immunisation team about how best to do that. Please assume it will go ahead if you sent back the letter earlier this month. Our pupils in S1-4 are being offered the vaccination on Wednesday 6 October.
As I mentioned previously, in the following week we are proposing to hold a meeting of the KHS Parent Council. I’ll issue a formal invite next week to those who wish to join us on “Zoom” at 6pm on Tuesday 28 September. We can discuss Covid matters (including the offer of vaccinations for young people aged 12-15 … we should know more by then), proposals for the SQA Qualifications, and any other issues of concern to our parents and carers. Please respond if you would like to raise any specific matter in advance.
Once again, some staffing news to close. It was a pleasure to be joined by Mr Farquharson (Head of Guidance) and Mrs Davidson (Depute) to interview several applicants for two permanent positions in Guidance. I am delighted to share that the successful applicants are our own Mrs Jess Kerek and Miss Emma Fotheringham. Both have been “acting up” recently and thoroughly deserve their promotion. Well done both.
Best wishes for the weekend. If you need any help or support, you know that we’ll do our best. Be in touch.
Yours
Derek Allan
RECTOR
17 September 2021
