SQA: Coronavirus Update
SQA Statement on the Coronavirus, and impact on the National Qualifications 2020 Examinations Timetable
Thursday 12 March
We know that learners, parents and carers, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of the Coronavirus on the National Qualifications 2020 Examinations Timetable.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is continuing to monitor the situation, in close contact with the Scottish Government and other regulators and awarding bodies across the UK.
At present there is no change to the published National Qualifications examination timetable. Our advice therefore is to continue to prepare as normal. All current deadlines for coursework and other assessments remain in place and the exam timetable is currently scheduled to run from 27 April until 4 June 2020.
Schools and colleges should be gathering any alternative evidence on candidate performance as they would do in the normal way, and as per our guidance every year, to support any consideration of exceptional circumstances. This evidence should inform estimated grades, again as it should every year.
We fully recognise that this is an evolving situation and, as you would expect, we are working through a range of scenarios. Our overriding priority, drawing on the latest guidance, is to deliver a safe and secure examination timetable with minimal disruption, which is fair to learners.
Markers and invigilators play a critical role in the delivery of our qualifications. We are reviewing our marking and invigilation processes and will issue further communication to schools and colleges shortly.
We are also strongly encouraging all candidates to sign up to MySQA, our online and text service, as a direct way to receive their results.
We will continue to review the latest evidence and will communicate further updates as necessary.
ROBOTICS SUCCESS
Congratulations to the school’s robotic teams: “Visible” and “Anonymous” for competing in the UK National Vex robotics competition in Telford. The Vex Robotics Challenge is the World’s Largest and Fastest-Growing Robotics Competition for High Schools, Colleges and Universities. Nearly 60 teams had qualified for the UK finals, which took place at the Telford International conference centre. At the competition the North Lanarkshire teams took on the best of the UK and the two teams for Scotland were qualifiers for the elimination rounds. In the Competitions, teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. Classroom STEM concepts are put to the test on the playing field as students learn lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership, communications, and more. The club has been very well supported by North Lanarkshire Council and includes pupils ranging from S1 to S4. Currently the Braidhurst High School STEM Club has 24 members including their mentor Jenna Young who is a S6 STEM ambassador. Jenna has taken on the commitment to support the younger less experienced members and is a good role model.
SKY ACADEMY STUDIOS
On Wednesday 4th March a group of S3 Media pupils visited the Sky Academy Studios in Livingston which uses the power of TV and innovation to open young minds and develop their creativity, collaboration and communication. The third years all participated in the ‘FACT: News Reporting’ experience where they were tasked with creating a news report on cyber-bullying. The pupils were split into four groups and each group was responsible for a certain aspect of the news report e.g.: presenting, expert views, interviewing etc. At the end of the workshop pupils had the chance to watch their news report on the big screen which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
A sneak preview of the 6 minute recording our S3 Media class created on Cyberbullying at @SkyAcademy ⬇️ @braidhurst pic.twitter.com/twP4ZVvUX5
— Braidhurst DYW (@Braidhurst_DYW) March 6, 2020
WORLD BOOK DAY
To celebrate World Book Day 2020 on Thursday 5th March the school library hosted a lunch for a select group of readers from S1-S4. Each invited pupil has displayed a real commitment to their personal reading and to supporting their school library. Whilst enjoying chocolate cake and other sweet and savoury treats each of the pupils completed a book review of their favourite title that they have borrowed from the school library and were gifted their free book token. Mrs Scott, the school librarian, also arranged for a couple of pupil-staff interviews – with Emy Brandt from S1 interviewing Miss Galloway, teacher of Art, and Max Watson from S2 speaking with Mr Reynolds, teacher of History – to discover the individual reading journey of each of the staff members.
World Book Day 2020 🌍📚 celebration at lunch with our VIRs (very important readers). These fabulous pupils have shown a dedication to personal reading & their school library. It is a pleasure to support/serve them #schoollibrariesmatter #schoollibrariansmatter #WorldBookDay2020 pic.twitter.com/48dwRl6zew
— BraidhurstHSLibrary (@librarybhs1) March 5, 2020
Coronavirus info & advice
North Lanarkshire Council is working very closely with NHS Lanarkshire and any updates required on the virus will be shared with our staff and residents.
Health Protection Scotland has issued detailed guidance to head teachers and heads of establishment and this will used to make sure we take any action necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
For the latest information and advice please go to: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
You can also follow @NHS24 on Twitter and Facebook.
Summary of Advice
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
- Bin the tissue.
- To kill germs, wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel.
ART CREATIVE RESIDENCY
A group of S4 pupils recently visited an exhibition on work produced at the Creative Residency in Kilbowie Residential Centre. There was a wide range of work from students including artwork from the fine art painters and screen-printers. All pupils really loved the large scale photography work that was o show as well as the 3D props and costumes.
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