The latest edition of the Banter is now available.

The Banter – October 2020

If you are looking for reading suggestions to help your children with their reading choices at Keith Grammar School, why not check out the School Library Book Recommendation webpage. It has a growing number of ‘If You Like …’ themed lists to choose from, a ‘Bookflix’ page and recommendation videos made by Moray school librarians.  The ‘If You Like …’ book lists are specifically  aimed at S1-3 pupils. A new themed list will be posted each week till October – so keep checking back!

https://sites.google.com/my.glow.scot/kgsvirtuallibrary/reading-writing-for-pleasure/book-recommendation-videos

INFO FOR ALL

As you will know, the Scottish Government announced last Thursday that all schools should plan for a full return to school from next week.  Further information will follow later this week to all families regarding arrangements for the return to school. We are working hard along with Moray Council to meet all Government guidance and requirements. I just wanted to issue some initial information and reassurances until all further guidance is ready as I know many of you will have questions.

All pupils will start back on 12^th August at KGS. Settling in information will be gone over with pupils in their first period class. Timetables will be issued by post this week.

S1 transition activities will take place on the first day. S1 pupils will be greeted and have designated ‘quiet’ areas with staff and buddies available.  A separate letter about S1 transition has been sent out. In addition all S1 pupils were added to House Teams which should show up in your Glow account. A transition website is available on the Team with lots of guides, videos, tours etc. The website needs to be accessed via your Glow account as it is not publicly available.

School wear requirement in term 1 is simply clean, plain black/ white items where possible. We want everyon eto feel able to come back to school and not feel pressurised to shop for new items when this may not be possible for various reasons.

Transport information is due to follow, directly from the Public Transport Unit.

Cold school lunches will be availabe from the first week with more information to follow.

There will be one way systems in place around the building and masks can be worn if people wish.  Hand washing and sanitising will be important and all information about any special arrangements will be coming home in parent and learner guides later this week.

Please get in touch if you have any immediate concerns on our email address:

admin.keithgrammar@moray-edunet.gov.uk

SENIOR PHASE INFO

SQA RESULTS

This email address can also be used to get in touch regarding any queries about SQA results or you can phone our office on 01542 882461 and a message can be passed on to a member of staff who can help. Some pupils may be feeling that their results are unexpected and they will need to discuss this with a DHT or PTG in the first instance. Nicola Dall, our SDS Careers Adviser, can be ocntacted on the SDS Elgin number which is 01343 344006 and any messages can be passed on to her.

College pupils

At this stage, we are still waiting to find out when pupils will be able to go to Elgin for their college class on a Wednesday. Nevertheless, college courses will not start up again on the first day of term.  Instead, college pupils will attend the classes that they would usually miss on a Wednesday.  The timetable for all college pupils has been altered so that everyone knows which class they should attend throughout the day.

In addition to this, all college pupils need to enrol for their courses again.  Each student should have received information about how to do this via email.  There is also information on the Keith Grammar School Microsoft Team.

Senior phase timetables

On Monday 10^th August, school staff will be looking at the timetables of our senior phase pupils to make sure that all pupils are doing  the required number of courses.  We will also be looking at whether any changes need to be made to a timetable, as a result of SQA results.  School staff will let you know via telephone, if you have been allocated a meeting with the relevant Principal Teacher of Guidance on Tuesday 11^th August.  This will allow any potential changes to be made.

Similarly, should there be any gaps within your timetable, you should contact the school in order to make an appointment with your Guidance Teacher on Tuesday 11^th August.

I can’t wait to see everyone next week and want to reassure everyone that we will go over expectations, routines and practicalities when you get here.

It will doubtless, take some time to get used to the new ways of working but we aim to be responsive, caring and above all SAFE as we return to our core business of learning together.

Kind regards

Liz Bain

Acting Rector

Here are links to the Moray Youth Engagement Team Blog and their social media pages.  They will be promoting weekly challenges throughout the summer holidays and there are also links to interesting websites and information.  It will also allow young people to access a youth worker direct during the summer.

Engagement team Blog

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/my/engagementteam/

Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/Morayyouthwork

Twitter

https://twitter.com/morayyouthwork

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/morayyouthwork/

Tiktok

https://vm.tiktok.com/JdxrTwL/

Young Scot Moray Page

https://young.scot/moray

We know that things are a little different right now, and you may be wondering how this affects you. Set your course for the future this September by joining us at our online open day on Wednesday 5 August. We will have people available across the region to talk to you about our further and higher education courses, funding, student support and careers advice. #thinkuhi

I have received news from Moray Council and the Macpherson family regarding our Rector, Jamus Macpherson.

As you know, he has been absent from Keith Grammar School for a year now and the news is that he has now retired.  I am sad to wish Jamus farewell and have passed on the best wishes of all in our school community to him and his family.  It is particularly hard as we cannot see him to wish him well.

We will mark the huge contribution he has made to Keith Grammar School and the occasion of his retirement in due course. In the meantime, if anyone wishes to pass on their regards, please send them to Keith Grammar and we will arrange for them to be forwarded.

Attached is the statement issued by Jamus and Jane Macpherson.

Mrs Bain

Keith Grammar School support Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 and Moray Foodbank.

From Monday 24 February – Sunday 8 March We are asking for donations of Fairtrade products. All of these products will be donated to Moray Foodbank.

As the products will be held over a two week period, we ask that there is no fresh produce donated, however we will be very appreciative of any other “Fairtrade” items.

Millions of people across the globe who provide us with our food and fashion are trapped in an unfair trading system that will only drive them further into crisis.

But crucially, together, we can still win a better future.

Fairtrade farmers and workers are fighting back demanding trade that will create a sustainable future for people and planet, and using sustainable farming techniques in line with our Fairtrade Standards.

“Join us in our annual campaign when we bring the fight for change to the masses”