5 August 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that you and your loved ones continue to be safe and well.  We are now able to finalise details on your child’s return to school next week.

1.       Our young people will return to school as part of a phased programme:

• S1 and S3 return to school full time on Wednesday 12 August and each day thereafter
• S2 and S4 return to school full time on Thursday 13 August and each day thereafter
• S5 and S6 return to school full time on Friday 14 August and each day thereafter

New S5/6 pupils requesting appeals can come into school from Wednesday 12th August to speak to Principal Teachers.

It is our expectation that, with your support, pupils should return to school in full school uniform with appropriately equipped school bags. The timings of the school day will remain unchanged. The school day will begin at 8.50am and end at 3.15pm.

2.       Movement in and around the school:

• Each year group will be given an assigned entrance to, and exit from, the school
• Pupils will be encouraged to follow social distance guidelines within the school building.

3.       Learning and Teaching:

• Pupils in all year groups will follow a full timetable including all activities involved in PE.
• Pupil timetables will be issued to them when they return to school.

4.       Morning breaks and lunchtime:

• We are considering assigning year groups to particular zones around the school. More details about this will be issued to pupils next week.

5.       Hygiene:

• Pupils will be encouraged to use Hand Sanitisers which will be located in and around the school. In addition to this, staff will provide access to hand sanitisers and wipes in classrooms. Pupils are also very welcome to bring their own hand sanitisers into school for personal use. Pupils can, if they wish, wear a mask.

6.       General Health:

• Pupils who display any symptoms of COVID should be kept at home; High temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Parents should follow NHS advice and inform the school of any positive COVID tests.

7.       Extra-Curricular Activities:

• There will be no extra-curricular activities at lunchtime or after school until further notice.
• School trips are also on hold

8.         Pastoral Care:

There have been a number of temporary changes in Pastoral Care:

Year group             Pastoral Care Teacher

• S6                          Mr Downes (covering for Mr MacKinnon)
• S1                          Miss Campbell (covering for Mr Downes)
• S2                          Miss Fitzpatrick (covering for Mrs Cairns)
• S3                          Mrs Cassidy
• S4                          Mr Blaney
• S5                          Mrs Hughes

Pastoral care staff should be your first point of contact for any advice/ information relating to support for your child.

I will keep parents/carers up-to-date with changes and new developments as the new session progresses. In the meantime, again, I would like to thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school for further information on any of the points above.

Kind regards

Mr McGuigan
Head Teacher