School Leadership

Mrs Rooney continues her secondment as Head Teacher of the Chryston Campus.  She is still in regular contact with the school and sends her best wishes to all within the Braidhurst HS community.  At present there is no indication of exactly when this will end.  In the interim, Mr David Gardiner will continue as Acting Head Teacher with Mr Brian O’Neill Acting Depute Head Teacher.

Summer Term Events

As restrictions continue to lift, we will be returning to a more normal programme of activities in the summer term.  These will include:

• S1 – 2-day Skills Project (Wednesday 11^th & Thursday 12^th May)
• P7 – 2-day transition visit (Wednesday 18^th & Thursday 19^th May)
• S3 BGE Graduation Ceremony (Wednesday 1^st June Periods 6 & 7)
• Senior Prom (Wednesday 1^st June)
• School Concert (Wednesday 15^th June 7.00pm)
• Prizegiving (Thursday 23^rd June 7.00pm)
• Inter House Competitions (TBC)
• School trips (TBC)

Covid 19 Restrictions

In line with the latest Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Guidance face covering will no longer be mandatory in classrooms or in communal areas however as infection rates are still high in the area, we would still encourage all to sanitise hands and cover their faces when entering the building or moving around the school.

Scottish Qualification Authority – Exam Arrangements

Study leave, for senior pupils who are sitting at least one National 5 course will begin on Monday 25^th April.  Pupils will return on Monday 6^th June.

Pupils who are sitting National 4 courses only and have no exams will be able to participate in the ‘Skills Development Week’, at the Forgewood Community Centre instead.  This will take place from 10^th – 13^th May.  If you require further details, contact Miss McKenna or Mr O’Toole.

Study facilities will be available in school for any senior pupils who need a quiet space to work.  If you require these, contact Mr Hendry who will be able to book you in.

Subjects will be offering some additional study and revision classes; individual class teachers will be able to provide more details on when these will take place.

Study Leave Gym Memberships: North Lanarkshire Council are providing free access to leisure facilities for pupils who are on study leave.  You can register your interest by using the following link to complete the online survey.

https://forms.office.com/r/W5dnQWbiDP

School uniform: Full uniform will be required for any visit to the school.  This includes sitting exams, attending study classes, or using the study space.

SQA Estimates: The school is required to submit an estimated grade for every subject that a candidate is being presented for.  These are evidence based and reflect the work produced in assessments by each pupil.  If any pupil is unsure of their final estimate, they should ask their class teacher.

It should be noted that these estimates have still to be quality assured by the SQA and as such should not be taken as a guarantee of an appeal.

Illness: Any pupil who is unwell on the day of the exam or who have experienced any specific circumstances that may affect their exam performance should report this to Ms Kerr as early as possible on the day of the exam.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches: In line with SQA policy no mobile phones or smart watches will be allowed in the exam hall.  A candidate guide produced by the SQA will be made available to all pupils.  It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure that they follow the procedures and policies set down in this document. Any queries surrounding this should be directed to Ms Kerr.

School Holidays

The following days will be school holidays for pupils.

• Monday 2^nd May
• Thursday 5^th May
• Friday 27^th May
• Thursday 2^nd June
• Friday 3^rd June
• End of term – Wednesday 29^th June (1pm)

Although the school will be closed to pupils on the above dates it will still be open for any pupil sitting an SQA exam.

Charity Fund Raising

The pupils have decided that the £610 raised during the non unform day that was held before Easter should be donated to the Ukraine appeal.  Thanks to all who donated to this worthy cause.

Parents Group

The AGM for the Braidhurst Parents/Carers Group will take place on Tuesday 24^th May at 6.00pm in the school library. The group has two main functions, the first is to act as an advisory body to work with the school, the second is to raise money for the school fund.  If you would like to get involved in either or both of these of these aspects, then you will be very welcome to turn up on the night.  Alternatively, email the school to express your interest via the school website.

Kind regards,

David Gardiner

Acting Head Teacher

To reflect the change in status of the assessment process prelims will be called ‘mid assessments’

• Mon 7th – Fri 18th March 2022 (most assessments will be in the hall with external invigilators)
• Additional assessments may take place in class as part of the ongoing learning and teaching process.
• The aim of this diet will be to provide pupils with a more realistic exam experience of the same length and demand as the formal SQA exams and while also helping to generate further evidence for candidate estimates.

Click below to view the timetable.

March Prelim Timetable

Please click link for more info: S3 Parents Night

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to inform the Braidhurst High community that Mrs Carolyn Rooney has been seconded to lead and manage Chryston Campus (Chryston High and Chryston Primary) over the next few months.

This is a temporary arrangement and Mrs Rooney will return to Braidhurst High in due course.  In the meantime, Mr David Gardiner, Depute Head Teacher, will assume Head Teacher responsibilities at Braidhurst High until Mrs Rooney’s return. The Education and Families Manager for Braidhurst High, Mrs Bee Hunter, will continue to support the school and Mr Gardiner in Mrs Rooney’s absence.

I thank Mrs Rooney for accepting this new challenge to lead and manage Chryston Campus over the next few months and know she will not only bring vast experience to this role but also the same values, the drive for success and a strong sense of community which she has underpinned her leadership at Braidhurst High.

I wish Mrs Rooney and Mr Gardiner the very best during this next period in their careers.

Yours sincerely

Janie O’Neill

Head of Education (South locality)

Education and Families

Young Persons Free Travel – please note the scheme will be going ahead and that everyone who wants to use it will need to apply for a card. However, only those with essential travel requirements should apply while public health restrictions are in place.

The scheme supports the adoption of sustainable travel behaviours early in life, and will also improve access to education, leisure, work and other opportunities as soon as we come out of restrictions

Please see further information below or go to Transport Scotland website which provides information on the scheme and guidance on travel restrictions.

Overview

Free bus travel for 5-21 year olds resident in Scotland will be available from 31 January for those with a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. Children under the age of 5 already travel for free on commercial bus services and don’t need a card.

A national marketing campaign was due to launch from 5 January to encourage applications, giving full details on how and when to apply. However, given the current situation with the pandemic, it has been decided to pause the launch of the national marketing campaign – which proactively encourages bus travel – until the current COVID-19 situation improves.

All young people and children aged 5-21 years can still apply for their new or replacement NEC or Young Scot NEC from 10 January to access the scheme from 31 January. However, we are asking that only those for whom bus travel is essential apply at this time, because of work, education, health or care reasons, for example. Information about the scheme and how to apply is now available on the Transport Scotland website ahead of local authority delivery partners opening applications on 10 January.

This approach will also help minimise pressure on local councils who will be processing applications and responding to queries, ensuring young people and children under 22 for whom bus travel is essential are able to access the scheme from 31 January. Everyone under the age of 22 and living in Scotland will be proactively encouraged to apply to access the scheme by the extensive marketing campaign which will now be launched nationally at a later date.

Why the scheme is so important

The scheme is designed to help create a sustainable future for young people by embedding sustainable travel habits from an early age. This can help Scotland to tackle the climate emergency and meet targets to become net zero by 2045.

At the same time, the introduction of free bus travel for under 22s will also reduce inequalities and advance equality of opportunity and outcome for young people and families as well as having the potential to help address child poverty by reducing household outgoings. Free bus travel supports the delivery of a Just Transition and removes financial barriers, giving young people more and better choices in work, education, health and social activities.

Research commissioned in October 2021 revealed nationwide support for the roll out of free bus travel amongst young people – with almost two-thirds (61%) agreeing that access to public transport will play a central role in the fight against climate change. One full double decker bus equates to removing 75 single occupancy cars from Scotland’s roads.

All delivery partners are committed to delivering the scheme in a way that is safe for children and young people and instils confidence in their parents and guardians. That is why parents or guardians will be required to apply on behalf of children under the age of 16 to ensure they can exercise their responsibility for their children’s safety.

Transport Scotland has also worked with Barnardo’s Scotland to make available additional training for bus drivers on child safeguarding in advance of the scheme’s launch.

Application process

5-21 year olds living in Scotland will need a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC to access free bus from 31 January.

• Many young people will already have a NEC or Young Scot NEC, but this will not allow them to access free bus travel. Everyone who is eligible will have to apply for a new or replacement card if they wish to use the scheme.
• The Improvement Service and National Entitlement Card Programme Office (NECPO), together with local authorities, are responsible for handling applications and issuing National Entitlement Cards (NEC and Young Scot NEC) which are used to access the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme.
• The scheme will use the existing application processes and will enable young people or their parents/guardians to apply either online or in person at council offices.
• Applications open on 10 January. All eligible children and young people can apply but we are working through our network of delivery partners and stakeholders to get messaging out, encouraging children and young people to apply at this time if they need to make essential journeys by bus.
• A number of different methods will be available for 5–21 year olds to get their card to access free bus travel: online at GETYOURNEC.SCOT or through parentsportal.scot if it is used by the child’s school; via a local council where it is not possible to apply online; and, in some local council areas, schools are coordinating applications on behalf of their pupils.
• Young people aged 16-21 should apply themselves.
• Parents or guardians will be required to apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds.
• Children under the age of 5 do not need to apply as they already travel for free on commercial bus services without a card.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-persons-free-bus-travel-scheme/

Return to school on 10^th January 2022 – revised protocols

1. Staggered lunches will be reinstated as this will allow us to ensure pupils sit in a designated area in the dining hall.

Instructions are as follows:

• S1 – 12.20pm
• S2 – 12.25pm
• S3 – 12.30pm
• S4/5/6 – 12.40pm

This applies to all (i.e. picking up a grab-a-bag or buying a dinner).

2. Intervals and lunch: pupils will be encouraged to be outdoors if possible. They should wear an outdoor jacket to school, which should be removed when they enter the building. We have a limited supply if needed. If wet, pupils will be sent to the following zones:

• S1/2 – Tuck shop
• S3 – Assembly Hall (English department during prelims)
• S4 – Dining room
• S5 – Social Subjects
• S6 – Maths

3. ALL pupils will leave at 3.45pm at the end of the day. There will be no early release of pupils.

4. When moving around the school pupils should keep to the left.

5. There will be no year group assemblies.

6. Windows and doors will remain open (where, and when, possible).

7. Pupils will sit at single desks, all facing the front (where possible).

8. Seating plans will be kept/ updated by staff. Pupils should sit in their allocated seat and not move without permission.

9. Pupils should know their login details for GLOW. If they do not they should speak to any teacher ASAP. If pupils are required to self-isolate, they should access work online, or join the lessons if able and the facility is available.

10. We ask that ALL pupils please take a lateral flow test twice a week – these can be collected from the school office during lunch time.

We will continue to issue masks at start of day, interval, and lunch while also sanitising hands. Please bring a mask to school if you have one.

In preparation for our return to school on Monday pupils & staff can reduce COVID-19 risks by taking a lateral flow test the night before or on the morning of their return to school after the festive break.

Pupils & staff should also take regular tests twice a week. All results should be recorded.