Cumbernauld Academy

We are looking forward to welcoming along to our online event tomorrow evening the parents/carers of our S4 pupils. We anticipate that this evening will run smoothly and to further support its success there are just a few points to highlight. Namely:

• Teachers will be available from 4.00-6.20pm to undertake appointments.  Only appointments that have been pre-booked up until 9pm tonight can be taken
• Meetings will be open for up to 5 minutes at which point they will automatically close. At this point the next round of meetings will begin
• The video technology in use requires that participants have a web cam and microphone. This should be tested prior to the meeting starting
• Chrome (internet browser) is recommended for use on a laptop/PC/Tablet or smartphone as it’s best for connectivity.  Safari (internet browser) is recommended for iPhone/iPad.
• Microsoft Teams, Zoom or any other software that may have control over your microphone/webcam should be closed before joining the parents evening video meeting
• If you encounter a grey screen where you expect a video meeting it is an indication that your device/computer cannot connect to the video meeting server.  If possible, we recommend trying a different internet connection or even a different internet browser. If still unsuccessful and if you have access to another device then it should be used.

Video help guides are available in a previous post should you require further assistance.

 

Over the next few weeks the Pupil Support team will be conducting option interviews with our current S2- S5 pupils. As you will be aware this is a very important time of the year for all the pupils and parents as it will not only determine courses for next session but it confirms the possible routes for gaining future qualifications.

With this in mind and to help inform parents and pupils we have provided option information booklets containing each subject available for S5/6 and for S4 (S3 Booklets will be added shortly). These booklets detail course aims, structure and qualification levels on offer.

Please click on the link below to access the appropriate Booklet and option form

S5 and 6 Option Booklet Master 2022-23

S5-S6-Final-Option-Form-2022-23

S4 Into S5 Options – FAQ

S3 into S4 Option Booklet Master 2022-23

This coming Tuesday February 8th we are planning to host an online drop in session for the parents/carers of next sessions S4-S6 pupils. During this time we will be able to provide feedback on SQA related issues, the upcoming option process and any matter concerning the Senior Phase qualifications

As a prelude to this we will post a short video on this website on Monday 7th February explaining the Senior Phase option process and the pathways into Further/Higher education and the world of work.

We hope that you can join us on Tuesday evening between 6.30 and 7pm when we will be available to answer any of your relevant questions. Parents will receive log in details by text on Monday.

University of Strathclyde Space School Applications Now Open (Friday 4 February 2022)

Following the success of our virtual Scottish Space School programme in June 2021, the University of Strathclyde, in collaboration with Wood Plc, are delighted to be offering the programme again in 2022 for school pupils in S5.

Given that restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic still remain in place for the University, the 2022 programme will also be going ahead online and will be running from Monday 13 – Friday 17 June 2022.

We have developed an online offering which will provide an opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading figures in space travel, including NASA Astronauts and engineers. There are 100 places available on the programme and we ask that you bring this to the attention of S5 pupils who have a talent for mathematics and physical sciences.

The programme will run throughout the week beginning 13 June 2022 with virtual sessions taking place as follows:

• Monday 13 June 2022:

Morning Session: 09:15 – 12:30

Afternoon Session: 14:00 – 15:30

• Tuesday 14 June 2022:

Morning Session: 09:15 – 12:30

Afternoon Session: 14:00 – 15:30

• Wednesday 15 June 2022:

Morning session: 09:15 – 12:30

Evening session: 18:00 – 19:00*

• Thursday 16 June 2022:

Morning session: 09:15 – 12:30

Afternoon session: 14:00 – 15:30

• Friday 17 June 2022:

Afternoon session only: 14:00 – 16:00

*The evening session on Wednesday 15 June 2022 is our annual ‘Evening with NASA’ presentation which will be open to the public to also attend online. Further details will be published and advertised on our website in due course and we can also circulate the details to yourselves.

Throughout the week, participants will hear from staff at the university and Wood Plc who will provide an insight into studying and working in the field of engineering, as well as hearing from colleagues at the NASA Johnston Space Centre. Participants will also take part in a group project throughout the week which they will present to a panel of judges made up of staff from the University, Wood Plc and NASA on the final afternoon with a prize awarded to the winning team. Participants must be able to commit to attending all sessions as listed above.

Further information and the online application form are available on the Space School website:

https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/scottishspaceschool/

The deadline for applications is Monday 28 February 2022. The selection panel will meet early in March and all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Friday 25 March 2022. In the application form, pupils are asked to supply the name and contact details for a teacher who can provide a statement in support of their application. Teachers will receive an automated email which will include a designated link to the online application in order to submit their statement. We ask that teacher statements are submitted online by Monday 7 March 2022, in order for the application to be considered.

Unfortunately, we will not be running the week-long ‘Learning Journey to NASA’ trip in 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr Sheridan nlsheridang@northlan.org.uk

SQA has confirmed that a package of support services – including some further help with exam revision – will be available for learners who are taking National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in 2022.

This follows the significant modifications already made to course assessments at the start of the session to help reduce the volume of assessment and ease the workload of learners and teachers. Please click on the link below to access the latest update from the SQA.

SQA Qualifications  Further Support 2021-22

The school photo gallery is now live to view and order from Chris McIntyre Photography. If a parent/carer or pupil has misplaced their access code sheet, please contact the school office or their Pupil Support Teacher, and a reminder can be given.

The deadline date for free delivery to the school has been set for 16th February 2022. Ordering will still be possible after this date, however, orders will be shipped directly from the lab to home for a shipping fee if ordered after this date.

Unfortunately, due to ongoing Covid-19 restriction it is not possible for the upcoming S4 Parent’s Evening, scheduled for Tuesday 8th of February to take place in the school building.  However due to the importance of the event taking place we are proposing that the meeting will now happen online via our “Parents Evening Booking + Video” meeting system.

We have used this platform for previous Parents Evenings this session but we realise this will be the first time we have used this online system for S4 parents and pupils.  We realise that this is different to your past experiences of meeting your children’s teachers in person but we hope that it will be just as informative and beneficial in allowing you to further support your children with their education at Cumbernauld Academy.

With regards preparing for the meeting parents I have attached a link inviting S4 parents/carers along and detailing the timeline for booking and attending. Please click on the link below.

Parent-Video-Meeting-Invite-Letter-S4

I have also placed a link to a step by step guide and to a short video that give instructions on how to access the online system, book time slots and meet with staff via the digital platform on the night. These links can be accessed below.

Booking Information for Parents

Video Call Information for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions	Answers
When will I receive details on how to access the parents booking site.	The address details for the site are given on the Parent Video Meeting Invite Letter that accompanies this post
When will I be able to access the online site to begin booking time slots	The online site link will open for bookings from 7pm On Monday 31st January
How long will the booking site remain open	The booking facility will close 7 days later on Monday 7th February at 9pm.
How will I gain access to the booking system	You will be required to input information that matches the information we store in our system to gain access.
How many appointments can I make	You can make an appointment with each of your child subject’s teachers up to a maximum of 7.
Can I amend or cancel a booking	Once booked there is a facility to cancel or amend the booking(s)
Can I use my mobile device to meet with teachers	You can access the system via PC, laptop, Tablet or mobile devices.

 

 

The SQA are continuing to create key information for parents/carers and learners with regards their plans for the NQ exam diet 2022. Please click on the link below to access their latest blog

https://blogs.sqa.org.uk/qualifications2022/

This is a gift of a Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree to celebrate the friendship between Japan and the UK. The Japanese club at CA is thriving and was instrumental in securing funding for a study trip to Japan in 2019. What a fitting way for us to remember and celebrate the links between Cumbernauld Academy and Osaka.

Given the rise in energy prices, click the link below to see if you are eligible. Please note that the deadline for applying is 28^th January 2022

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/form/apply-for-a-fuel-poverty-payment?utm_source=website&utm_medium=internal+link&utm_campaign=Fuel+Payment&utm_id=Fuel+Hardship+Payment&utm_term=Created+Jan+22&utm_content=Basic+eligibility+criteria