As we get ready for our autumn break on Friday I just wanted to update you on some of our plans for the next term.

1. Update on COVID procedures

We are still expecting staff and pupils to wear masks in school and if they travel to school via bus or taxi as we await further guidance from the Scottish Government. Testing is also an important part of our process to keep our pupils as safe as possible. Lateral flow testing kits are available from the school office, and we encourage all pupils to use one at least twice a week.

Please do not send your child to school if they have symptoms, have been identified through track and trace as a close contact or have had a positive result from a lateral flow test. If the latter is the case you should book a PCR test as a matter of urgency. Please keep us informed and get in touch if you need help or guidance.

2. Future Friday

Our programme for Friday afternoon activities continues to expand and your child is more than welcome to stay and enjoy them. These finish at 2.55pm and transport is provided for any pupil who is normally transported to the school. To find out more your child should speak to Mr Pryde (PE).

3. Reports/Parents’ Nights

S1 will receive their reports this week – please check school bags! Our S4, S5, S6 will all receive a report by the end of October.

Please go over the report with your child and, if there are any questions or issues, please speak to your child’s pupil support teacher in the first instance.

As it is unlikely we will be able to invite you into the school at present we are planning to hold virtual parents’ nights. Information on how to sign up for these events will be issued in due course. Please make sure we have your most up-to-date email addresses to enable us to continue to keep you updated.

Our S4 event is first and is planned for Tuesday 26^th October from 4.15pm until 6.45pm. Our S1 evening is on the 9^th of November with S5/6 on the 23^rd of November. Our S2 and S3 nights are after Christmas and we will wait to see if there are any changes to the guidelines before organising these events.

Please do your best to participate in these events. We are conscious that pupils have missed a considerable amount of work throughout the last two sessions and it is important your child works hard in school and at home to ensure they reach their potential. Staff will be able to share the best way you can support your child.

4. School and House Captains/Prefects

We are delighted that following an interview process we have the following senior pupils representing the school in leadership opportunities:

School Captain – Iona Eldhose

School Vice Captains –David Blair, Andrew Clark and Louise Day

Atholl

• Captain – Zoe May
• Vice-Captain – Amanda Hamilton
• Prefect – Olivia Rae

Lorne

• Captain – Rebecca Nevans
• Vice-Captain – Kara Tollan
• Prefect – Rebecca McLeod

Morven

• Captain – Kate Mitchell
• Vice-Captain – Katie Wright
• Prefect – Emily Dougan

Rannoch

• Captain – Ellie Anderson
• Vice-Captain – Amy McAlonan
• Prefect – Katie Morrison

I look forward to meeting with them after the holiday and working with them throughout the year.

5. October Week

The school will close on Friday 8^th at 12.30pm for the October break. Our Future Friday activities will run as normal. We will reopen on Monday 18^th October at 8.55am.

We will also be delivering some bags of food before the October break. Please let us know if this is something that could be helpful for your family at this moment in time. Any donations would be very gratefully received and can be handed in to the school office.

I hope all our staff and pupils have a good break and come back refreshed as we move into our winter term.

6. Natasha’s Law

New legislation has recently come into force regarding food labelling. This means that pre-packaged food will have a list of ingredients, protecting those with food allergies. The school canteen and our outdoor service area (van) are following these procedures closely to ensure pupil safety. Both of these cater to all tastes. Pupils using these services can eat in the canteen, along with those who bring a packed lunch.

Please remember we are here for you, if we can do anything to help, please get in touch. CLICK HERE to contact us

It is with great pleasure that the school introduces this year’s school captains. Iona was appointed School Captain with Louise, David and Andrew as Vice-Captains. The entire Braidhurst community would like to wish our Captains every success this year, and congratulations once again.

Braidhurst High School will be running a drop in session for all Parent/Carers, especially targeting EAL families in Forgewood Community Centre on Thursday 30th September 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Parents will be able to access support and information on a range of topics including Free School Meals, Clothing Grants, Clubs and Activities, Financial Inclusion Team.

Senior pupils will be on hand to help translate and support families.

Please click the below to view an important letter to Parents and Carers from Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director

CLICK TO VIEW

We have been delighted to welcome our pupils back to school this term.  We have had a very successful start with our pupils looking great in full school uniform.  This helps make them easily identifiable and brings a real sense of belonging.  The following provides an update to help keep you informed.

1. Update on COVID procedures

As per guidelines, all pupils must wear a mask in school unless they are exempt.  If your child is exempt, you must provide a note for pupil support.  Please encourage your child to bring their own mask with them.  There are lots of hand sanitising machines around the school as well as bottles of hand sanitisers in classrooms.  Your child should use these regularly.

Lateral flow testing kits are available from the school office, and we encourage all pupils to use at least twice a week.  Your child must have returned a consent form to be able to receive one.

As a school we have erred on the side of caution throughout this pandemic.  Please do not send your child to school if they have Covid symptoms, been identified through track and trace as a close contact or have had a positive result from a lateral flow test.  You should book a PCR test as a matter of urgency.  Please keep us informed of all steps or if you need help or guidance.

2. Future Friday

As you are aware we now finish at 12.30pm on a Friday.  There are various activities on a Friday afternoon throughout the school which your child is more than welcome to stay and enjoy.  These finish at 2.55pm.  If your child wishes to participate, they should speak to Mr Pryde (PE) to sign up.

3. Data Forms/Flu Vaccination

All data forms, ICT returns etc. (which were issued during the holidays) should have been returned to the school.  It is important that we have the most up to date contact details in case of an emergency.  This is the last year when Annual Data Checks will be issued on paper, in future you will be responsible for updating your child’s record via North Lanarkshire Council’s Parent Portal.  Details of how to sign up for the portal were included in the paperwork issued during the holidays.  Please contact the school office if you have problems accessing this.

Your child should have brought home a letter about Flu Vaccinations which should be completed.  All forms should be returned to the school office as soon as possible.

4. Parent Group Meeting

The first meeting of our Parent Group is scheduled for Tuesday 14^th September at 6.30pm.  The meeting will be held virtually at present so you will be able to join us in the comfort of your own home with a coffee!  If you are interested in coming along or finding out more, please contact the Chairperson, Mr David Clark on dclark@phoenixss.co.uk

5. S1 Information Evening

Unfortunately, we are still unable to hold Parent Meetings in the building.  We are therefore planning to hold a virtual meeting for our S1 Parents on the 9^th of September 2021 from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.  This will enable us to give you some more information about the school, our procedures and processes.  Ms Kerr, the DHT responsible for S1, will speak about how we will report on your child throughout the session.  We will then break out into smaller ‘rooms’ where your child’s pupil support teacher will briefly chat about their role in supporting your child.

6. S5/6 Information Evening

There will be a virtual meeting on teams for S5/6 pupils and parents.  This will include information on the courses your child is following, study techniques and how we support your child to access career advice.  We will also be discussing some of the leadership opportunities that are open to them.  This will take place on Wednesday 22^nd September from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.

I hope you find the above information useful.  Working in partnership ensures the best education for your child.  If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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Please click Newsletter 29th Aug 2021 to download this newsletter as a PDF