Category Archives: COVID19

Moray Council support with ICT for learning from home.

Please use the link below to register your need, Moray Council will verify this with us at KGS and then resources may be available to help.

Please read the following information from Moray Council:

We know that not every family with school-aged children in Moray will have access to IT equipment to support digital learning, but we want every pupil to be able to have that opportunity. Glow, and other learning websites, are widely used in schools and can support your child’s learning in and out of the classroom.

We’re asking families to let us know what equipment and broadband is needed, so we can make this happen. We can then work with our schools and community partners to make sure our all of children and young people are equipped and ready for online learning. 

https://online.moray.gov.uk/site/wss/request/Coronavirus_ICTEquip

 

 

Letter from Head of Service

Term 4 Arrangements Letter 280420

Attached is a letter from Vivienne Cross, Head of Education, which was sent out today.  Please note that Friday 1st May is now an In-Service Training day to allow teaching staff in Moray secondary schools time to prepare for the early moving on of the timetable. Please note that this is not an extra day but the INSET planned for the 14th of May brought forward.

15th May is still an INSET day and 8th May is a public holiday so no scheduled classes, setting of work or communication with class teachers will be available on any of those days just as would be the case were we physically in school.

Letters outlining the moving on of classes into the new session’s  ‘timetable’ from next Monday and choice of course outcomes will be sent home this week explaining how this will work. The rationale behind all this is to engage and motivate our learners and make the best use of the time created by the cancellation of SQA exams and exam leave. Students will be able to complete work still required to be done and make a start on some new level courses.

Rest assured that well-being and equity are very much at the heart of all our decisions. We don’t want anyone to be left out or left behind.

Please take care,

Mrs Bain

 

Moray Educational Psychology Service: announcement about support

‘Moray Educational Psychology Service know that school staff are working hard to provide quality information to parents to help their children’s wellbeing and education. As these are unusual and challenging times we would like to provide a wider service to families to help support this work. If you would welcome the opportunity to chat about any social, emotional or educational concerns about your child with our link Educational Psychologist, Kirsty MackIntosh, they can be contacted via email on Kirsty.MackIntosh@moray.gov.uk or a telephone message can be taken on 01343 550999. Parents/carers that already have, or have had, involvement with the service can, of course, make contact in the same way.’

Message for KGS Young People

Please know that we are thinking of you. Your teachers miss seeing you.  Although it is officially the holidays, this isn’t the usual kind of holiday. I guarantee your teachers will not have ‘switched off’ from school and will be worrying about you.

I know we have all joked at some point about how much fun it would be if school closed down but none of us ever dreamed this would happen. When it was just a joke, there was no danger, no worldwide health crisis and no enforced isolation. This is not the fun we thought it might be!

No photo description available.

However, this is a unique time which you will always remember. Record it somehow. Write a diary, take daily photos, start a blog.

And if it is all too much, writing it down can also help or talk to someone. If you feel there’s no one there- there is usually a friend  online and there is always Childline if you have worries you can’t share with anyone else. After the holidays you will have contact again with teachers and your classes on Teams.

Watch this wee film and consider that this might be a bit like how we’ll feel when we emerge from our lockdown!

Here are 4 links which might help you or your family if you are worrying about coronavirus, if you are not coping well with being at home for such a long time or if you are generally looking for more info aimed at people your age.

1        Young Scot has a dedicated campaign site

‘Find out more about what’s happening and the simple steps you can take to help prevent catching COVID-19 and spreading to others. Also find out more about what you can do if you are feeling anxious and worried, and how you can support others in your community’

https://young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus

2        The Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland site has some information about children’s rights in a time of crisis and a number of helpful links to resources

https://www.cypcs.org.uk/news/in-the-news/getting-human-rights-advice-in-scary-times-the-coronavirus

3        In particular CYPCS recommend the #Covibook for children under 7 which can be downloaded here

https://www.mindheart.co/descargables  /

https://660919d3-b85b-43c3-a3ad-3de6a9d37099.filesusr.com/ugd/64c685_319c5acf38d34604b537ac9fae37fc80.pdf

4        Childline have a dedicated Cornoavirus page which covers what coronavirus is, what to do if you are worried and how to cope if you are staying at home

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/coronavirus/

Look after yourselves.

Mrs Bain

Coping with Lockdown for Parents/ Carers

I have been a teacher since 1994. I spend time with lots of different  children day in and day out and I love it. A class of 30 is no problem. English, PSE, covering classes, taking assemblies, holding meetings, patrolling outside or in corridors…

But my own children at home on ‘lockdown’ is a different proposition. This is different. I am not their teacher. Sure, I teach them lots of things all the time: how to load the dishwasher, how to pack the shopping, how to make a pancake, how to pick your dirty washing off the floor (that hasn’t worked)… but I am not their teacher.  And this is the same in houses all over the world at the moment; parents find themselves in a different role and are unsure what is expected of them. Uncertainty and disruption is very stressful.

We are all now cooped up in the house, trying to make sense of what work has been set by school, if we can even find it or figure it out.  Trying to get everyone out of bed before it’s technically lunchtime is a challenge in itself. I know some of you have a real dilemma on your hands regarding childcare. There are other current additional financial and work related strains.

So…what do WE need to do to get through this but make sure our children also make it through healthy, well balanced and still learning?

1  Slow down. If they get up a bit later, so what? They don’t have to cram 7 subjects into one day. There will be other distractions and other priorities right now. And it looks like we are going to have lots of time…

2  Set a routine which suits you. If they need to get up earlier for some jobs that’s fine. If they sleep in that’s fine. As long as it suits your household. Please don’t make them wear school uniform! I actually read that this was suggested somewhere. PE kit may come in handy for the 9am Joe Wicks though. Remember to factor in some exercise outdoors while we still can. Breathe in that fresh air. If you have to share online time that is fine. Not everything has to be done on a device/pc/online. If you have to take turns at the table, so be it. Not everyone has a separate desk or office space to turn over to be a ‘school space’. Set times, have a rota, it’s all good.

3  Pick your battles. Does something really need to be done right now/ exactly as you are insisting/at all? Decide on what really matters as this could go on for a long time. Don’t make a rod for your own back by setting up situations where you will lose long term by ruining your relationship.

4  Give an element of choice so that children can maintain some control. They have lots of freedom away from the home when they are at school. Don’t try to control everything they do as this will cause resentment.

5  Be honest. Admit your own feelings. Show them it is ok to be worried and how to deal with that together. Discuss ways to cope. Have a family conference perhaps.

6  Don’t panic. Stop hoarding the toilet roll for a start! We’re going to be ok for loo roll. Don’t panic about covering all the work your child has been sent/ set online. Your child’s teachers will have tried to be helpful by giving them lots of things to do. It can be quite overwhelming depending on what has been set. Don’t be afraid to ask for more (but not this week!) or just to pick out what you can manage.

7  Stay in touch. Hopefully our new Facebook page can help make us feel more connected as a school while we are apart. In less than a week it already has as many followers as we have pupils!

@keithgrammarschool

There has been a lot of communication on Teams and SMHW this week and it’s great to see so many people connected. ASN and Gudance staff have been checking in with families they have a lot of contact with as well. The school admin address is monitored daily in term time and Facebook and Twitter DMs will be picked up regularly as well.

Finally, I have been thinking a lot about the fact that our children will remember this time for the rest of their lives. Whether they remember it fondly is pretty much down to us.

What do you want your child to remember about this time at home?

Would you want them to remember a time of fighting and arguing over opening a book or laptop or a time when you spent some quality time, doing things together. Children learn from us how to react as an adult in difficult situations so show them we can stay safe and well; help each other; remain calm and keep learning!

You are not alone.

Mrs Bain


Here’s a link to a very good article on staying connected through this crisis.

https://www.epinsight.com/post/i-see-you-being-connected-during-the-coronavirus-crisis

And a couple dealing with talking to children about Coronavirus:

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/

KGS Closed Monday 23/3/20

Covid 19 ParentsCarers

We are in uncertain times and none of us can predict what will happen later today let alone, tomorrow or next week. Teachers worked amazingly hard on Friday to put together a programme of work for seniors this coming week, inviting certain pupils to complete SQA work only as needed.

However, today the Scottish Government has announced that all schools must close as this is the safest course of action for us all. Having watched the news unfold this weekend, this is something of a relief for many:  the idea of mixing with others in school goes against all the advice to #stayathome after all.

I have attached the letter we sent out earlier to parents and carers but wanted to add that we will not give up on securing the best results for our senior students by working with SQA to provide the best evidence we have. I know many seniors and their families are worried about this but please; let us do the worrying. There is nothing you can do at this point in time. Everyone in Scotland and beyond is in the same situation. This has never happened before and we promise to do the best we can in the circumstances. I know your teachers did this last week and will continue to do so. You need to focus on keeping safe and well whilst protecting those around you by keeping your distance and washing your hands!

We may not be together in the building but we are still a school. We will get through this by working together but apart.

Mrs Bain,  Acting Rector

 

Letter to parents earlier today regarding Covid-19 situation

20 March 2020

Dear Parent and Carer

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support with us at a time of unprecedented challenge in dealing with Covid-19.

As you know, schools and Early Years and Childcare settings will close to pupils as of end of day on Friday 20 March.  There is no clear indication at this time regarding the length of time the closure will extend to, however we will use the following methods to keep you updated and informed.

We are also making home learning information available in the following ways:

  • .Show My Homework
  • .Glow
  • .Teams on Glow
  • .Scholar
  • SDS contact:Nicola Dall – 07770430867 – nicola.dall@sds.co.uk

The Depute First Minister has confirmed today that the SQA exam diet and examinations will not go ahead.  Schools will be making arrangements for coursework, assessment and units to be completed.  Seniors with SQA work to complete will be invited in to school next week.

Schools will be shut to pupils next week however we will continue to be open for staff.  We are constantly learning from other countries and would advise you that children and young people should avoid small group gatherings which will increase the spread of the virus.  You support with this is appreciated as we take all necessary steps to avoid such events happening.

It is vitally important that Friday 20 March 2020 remains a normal school day in every sense.

Leavers’ forms are not necessary at this time for senior leavers.

Planning is currently underway to support families who receive Free School Meals.  We will use Groupcall/text to find out your requirements for next week.  Arrangements for 13 April 2020 onwards will be communicated to you separately.

We are also planning for childcare arrangements for key workers and will be in touch regarding this as national advice develops.

We are making plans to celebrate achievements and mark our leavers’ departures when it is safe to do so and we can all be together again.

We thank you all for your understanding at this difficult time and will keep you updated.

With very best wishes

Mrs E Bain

Acting Head Teacher