Category Archives: School News

School News

Head Teacher Update – 13 August 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well and that our pupils have had a relaxing break. I also want to congratulate our S4,5 and 6 pupils on their SQA results.

We are really looking forward to welcoming pupils back on Monday 16th August at 8.50am and will be following Scottish Government guidelines.

We will operate a recovery timetable for this session similar to the one we ran in June. All staff and pupils who are not exempt will be required to wear masks in the building unless eating or drinking for at least six weeks. Our one-way system will remain in place.

I attach 2 letters from the Director of Education for your information.

Letter 1

Letter 2

Virtual Numeracy Evening for S1 Parents

Have you ever said to your child “that’s not the way I do it” or “Don’t ask me, I’m rubbish at maths”? If so, then take the opportunity to come along to our  Virtual Numeracy Event for all S1 parents and careers on Thursday 17th September at 7pm for an hour of support and help with Numeracy which will help you support your child at home with their Numeracy in the future.

 

The event will take place online and you can participate in the comfort of your own home. More details to follow. We look forward to seeing you there.

S1 Parents – A Message from the Head Teacher – 25 August 2020

Dear Parent,

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the staff and pupils in the school to welcome you and your child to Lourdes Secondary. We are looking forward to working with you and your son/daughter in the weeks and months ahead.

I am delighted to report to you that the new pupils in S1 have made an excellent start in Lourdes Secondary. I have been impressed with the children’s general attitude, behaviour and the high standard of uniform. We have a significant number of pupils wearing the blazer in S1 and, with your support, I would like to see all S1 pupils wearing the blazer. We have a small stock of blazers in the school at a reasonable price should you wish to purchase one. Please contact the school office for further information.

Support

We are completely committed to ensuring that your child is happy, safe and working to their full potential and your support and engagement in the life and ethos of the school will be very much appreciated.

There are a number of key members of staff who are responsible for guiding and supporting your child through their S1 experience:

Mr Kerr is the Depute Head teacher responsible for your child.
Miss Campbell is the (Acting) Principal Teacher of Pastoral Care for S1 who will provide guidance and coordinate personal support for the pupils.(Mr Downes is currently supporting our S6 pupils)
Ms Cox is the Principal Teacher of Support for Learning who works with all subject staff to ensure that the pupils are being supported appropriately in their learning.
Mrs Dolan is the Principal Teacher of the ALN Provision who coordinates support for a specific group of S1 pupils
Mrs McBride is the Principal Teacher of Nurture who provides support and nurture to a specific group of pupils throughout the school

Miss Campbell is your first point of contact for all matters. Contact details are: gw17campbellsarahann@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

If you have any questions or concerns relating to your child please do not hesitate to contact Miss Campbell who will liaise with the subject teachers and deal with any issues sensitively and promptly.

Break/Lunchtime arrangements 

We are currently operating a cash less payment system in the canteen see Letter issued 17 August 2020

For pupils who have not signed-up to the new on line payment system we would encourage them to continue to bring snacks and packed lunches into school.

Calendar of events and important dates

We are currently working on a calendar of dates for the issue of pupil tracking reports to parents. This information will be passed to parents in the next few weeks.

Best wishes to you and your families,

 

Gerry McGuigan

Pupil iPad Deployment – starting 7 September 2020

The Connected Learning iPad scheme will provide every pupil with an iPad and a range of e-learning tools and resources to assist and enhance their learning at Lourdes Secondary and at home.

All parties involved (pupils, parents/carers and the school) must agree with a range of terms and conditions before an iPad can be issued.

If we were in different circumstances our Parental Information Evenings would have gone ahead in April, however we have now reverted to recording the session for you, so you are fully aware of the expectations when receiving a school iPad.

Senior school pupils (S4-6) have already completed their Home School Agreement, therefore please watch the video and complete the online form for your child if they are in:

S3 https://bit.ly/2FDdi3T

Senior School Catch up: https://bit.ly/3aKRoqV

This must be completed by Friday 28th August, at 5pm.

IPads will be issued at Lourdes Secondary from Monday 7 September until Friday 18 September.  Your child will be informed of their session by their Pastoral Care teacher. Please ensure your child has an appropriate school bag to carry the iPad (as stipulated in the Home School Agreement).

 

Should you have any questions regarding this deployment, please do not hesitate to contact headteacher@lourdes-sec.glasgow.sch.uk marking your email for the attention of Mrs McMullan.

A message from the Head Teacher – 11 August 2020

First day arrangements

S1 Pupils:             Wednesday 12th August

  • S1 pupils should assemble in the Tarfside playground at the beginning of the day. S3 guides will escort the pupils to class.
  • S1 pupils will be given access to the canteen and Tarfside playground at break and  lunchtimes
  • S1 pupils will not be allowed to leave the school at break and lunchtimes

 

S2 pupils:             Thursday 13th August

  • S2 pupils should assemble in the Tarfside playground at the beginning of the day
  • S2 pupils will not be allowed to leave the school at break time but, with permission from their parents, may wish to leave the school at lunchtimes.
  • S2 pupils will be given access to the café Lourdes and Tarfside playground at break and  lunchtimes

 

S3 pupils:             Wednesday 12th August

  • S3 pupils should assemble in the Quadrangle at the beginning of the day.
  • S3 pupils with permission from their parents may wish to leave the school at break and lunchtimes.
  • S3 pupils will be given access to the Tarfside at break and  lunchtimes

 

S4 Pupils              Thursday 13th August

  • S4 pupils should assemble in the Quadrangle at the beginning of the day.
  • S4 pupils with permission from their parents may wish to leave the school at break and lunchtimes.
  • S4 pupils will be given access to the front playground at break and  lunchtimes

 

S5/6 Pupils          Friday 14th August

  • S5/6 pupils should assemble in the front playground at the beginning of the day (Kirriemuir Drive)
  • S5/6 pupils may wish to leave the school at break and lunchtimes.
  • S5/6 pupils will be given access to the front playground at break and  lunchtimes

 

Movement in and around the school

We intend to operate a one-way system in the school and this will be fully explained to the children on their first day.

 

School Meals

Payment Method

Glasgow City Council is driven to reduce the exposure to cash handling in our establishments and during the academic session 2020/21, we will be introducing an online payment system in our schools for all purchases including trips, concert tickets, uniforms and school meals. However, as Glasgow has a substantial number of establishments, this will take some time to implement across the city.

In the short term and until we have had time to understand and fully implement the online payment system, the following system will operate in Lourdes Secondary:

  • Children in receipt of free school meals will receive their lunch from the canteen/café Lourdes as normal.
  • Pupils who would normally buy a lunch from the canteen/café Lourdes will be encouraged to bring a packed lunch into school until the new system is fully implemented.
  • S1 pupils will not be allowed out of school at break and lunchtime. Pupils should bring a packed lunch/snack to school with them.
  • S2/6 pupils who decide to go out at lunchtime should consider greatly increased waiting times in the local shops. Our lunch time will remain at 40 minutes. Period 6 will start at 1.45pm.

 

SQA Estimates

Given the First Ministers announcement earlier should you wish access to your estimate grade for session 2019-20, please contact the relevant Principal Teacher via email (details below).  Please DO NOT come into the school for this information, this will ensure yourself, returning pupils and staff are kept safe given the current situation.

English,
Mr Peck, gw10peckmichael@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Maths,
Mr McLellan, gw10mclellanpaul@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Science,
Mr McNaught, gw10mcnaughtjames3@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Social Subjects,
Miss Irvine, gw09irvinejenna2@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Modern Languages,
Ms Wilkes, gw15freepascale@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Technical,
Mrs Delaney, gw09delaneyjulie@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

PE,
Mr Fagan, gw09fagangordon@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Art,
Mrs Twaddle, gw09twaddlecorinne@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

BECS,
Mrs McMullan, gw10mcmullanlisajoy@glow.sch.uk

Performing Arts,
Mrs MacVicar, gw09macvicardebbie@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Religious Education,
Mrs Killin, gw11killinterri@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

We will keep you up-to-date with changes and developments.

School Meals – 11 August 2020

We have just been informed that the canteen in our school will be adopting a no cash payment system from Wednesday 12 August.

In the short term and until we have had time to understand and fully implement the online payment system, the following system will operate in Lourdes Secondary:

· Pupils in receipt of free school meals will continue to receive their lunch from the canteen/café Lourdes as normal.

· Pupils who would normally buy a lunch from the canteen/café Lourdes should be encouraged to bring a packed lunch into school until the new system is implemented.

· S1 pupils will not be allowed out of school at break and lunchtime. Pupils should bring a packed lunch/snack to school with them.

· S2/6 pupils who decide to go out at lunchtime must factor in greatly increased waiting times in the local shops. Our lunch time will remain at 40 minutes.

We will keep you up-to-date with changes and developments.

Return to School Information – 5 August 2020

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