Category Archives: Information from school

School Uniform Delivery Offer

School Uniform
School Uniform

We have arranged for free delivery to the school for PE T-Shirts and Blazers on orders placed with Academy Uniform. This is a saving of £6.50.

The free delivery code is CALDERH , this is valid until Saturday, 10th October 2020. The code is entered once goods have been selected and prior to payment. It is anticipated that orders will be in school week beginning 19th October.

Goods can still be ordered for home delivery if customers prefer at a cost of £6.50

They have an excellent sizing guide on their website .

COVID 19 Safety Measures in place in Calderhead High School

Latest update: the Scottish Government has announced that from Monday, 2nd November 2020 all senior  pupils (S4-S6) are required to wear face coverings in classrooms as well as corridors and communal areas.

Our number one priority remains that pupils are safe when they attend Calderhead High School. Since we returned in August, we have put extra measures in place to keep our community safe. As we return to school after a holiday weekend, I thought I would share with you what these measures are. I have no doubt that before June 2021 we will have added to this list. We are all aware that the three main causes of transmission of this Coronavirus is touching an infected surface and transferring this to our mouths, nose or eyes (Hand Hygiene and cleaning surfaces) or by breathing in droplets from an infected person (2m distance and face covering) or by ingesting tiny infected particles in the air (good ventilation and being outside)

Can I ask for your support in reminding pupils to wear a face covering on school transport, to wear a face covering on entry to school, in social areas and in corridors. To socialise with their friends outside prior to the start of the school day, at interval and at lunchtime. Also, that pupils should stay at least 2m away from staff and they should wash or sanitise their hands frequently throughout the day.

If you have any concerns about your child can I encourage you to contact their Principal Teacher of Pupil Support who will offer not only a sympathetic ear, but great advice gathered from years of experience.

Changes we have made this term

  1. Risk Assessment carried out prior to opening in August and reviewed on a regular basis.

  2. Face Masks are provided to staff and pupils if you do not have a face covering.

  3. Face coverings are required on school transport.

  4. Drivers of school transport are required to wear face coverings

  5. Hand sanitiser dispensing units at each entrance to the school

  6. Automatic Hand sanitiser dispensing units at entrance and exit of all corridors on all floors.

  7. Double periods introduced to reduce number of classes pupils are in each day.

  8. Double periods introduced to reduce the change overs from 18 to 3 per week.

  9. All pupils facing in the same direction in each class.

  10. S5 and S6 pupils seated within their own year group in each class.

  11. No Senior Pupils travelling to other schools or college for courses, e.g. Advanced Higher, Foundation Apprenticeship, Highers, National 5, Vocational Courses.

  12. No Senior Pupils travelling from other schools to Calderhead High School for courses.

  13. Perspex screens used in class when one to one staff help is often required.

  14. Perspex screens in place in canteen when ordering, collecting, and paying for food using cashless system.

  15. Pupils can pre-order and pay for food using Fusion App.

  16. No cash tills, money can be added to cards using the revaluating machines.

  17. Practical PE is outdoors only

  18. No changing rooms in use for PE.

  19. PE kit to be worn on the days when pupils have PE

  20. As well as in PE changes to the curriculum have been made in Music, Home Economics, Science

  21. Changes have been made to the delivery of lessons in all subjects.

  22. Desks wiped down at the end of each lesson

  23. Library books quarantined for 72 hours

  24. Face coverings to be worn in social areas.

  25. Face coverings to be worn in corridors

  26. From Monday 2nd November, all S4-S6 pupils are required to wear face coverings in classrooms as well as corridors and communal areas. Face coverings can also be worn in class by younger pupils if they so wish

  27. Pupils encouraged, if indoors, to sit with pupils from their year group at interval and lunch.

  28. 2nd S6 common room opened to allow for better distancing.

  29. S4 and S5 are now seated in the large space of the Assembly Hall to socialise in at Interval and Lunchtime.

  30. Pupils encouraged to go outside at Interval and Lunchtime

  31. S1 pupils can now leave the campus during Lunchtime.

  32. 2m distance between staff at all times.

  33. 2m distance between staff and pupils.

  34. Staff wearing face coverings in senior classes and when they deem necessary in the classroom.

  35. Pupils spaced out as much as possible in each class.

  36. Pupils encouraged regularly to wash hands using hot water and soap.

  37. Visitors limited to only those that are deemed essential to the school.

  38. Any visitor needs to wear a face covering and register their contact details.

  39. As key workers priority testing for staff or any member of their household if they show symptoms.

  40. Regular briefing updates from NLC.

  41. Headteacher on call 24/7 if there is a positive test.

  42. NLC protocols in place for dealing with a Positive Test, pupil or staff.

  43. Pupils encouraged to exit the building by nearest stairway and fire doors to prevent congestion.

  44. Pupils encouraged to make their way to class using the stairway nearest their classroom, prevent congestion

  45. S6 pupils to use “staff stairs” to make their way to class, to prevent congestion.

  46. 100 litres of extra hand sanitiser purchased and available in each classroom.

  47. Boxes of tissues deployed in each room.

  48. Electronic thermometer purchased to check for high temperatures.

  49. Isolation room and protocols set up.

  50. Our no shouting policy has been reinforced.

  51. We do not have permission for extracurricular clubs to take place.

  52. We are not permitted to offer in school study support.

  53. Day cleaner, whose remit is to minimise the risk of transmission

  54. Protocols for using PPE when dealing with first aid situations.

  55. Keep left signs have been deployed around the school

  56. Information Posters have been deployed around the school.

  57. Pupils have been encouraged not to share equipment, drinks and food.

  58. All equipment is sprayed and wiped down after use or left to soak as per regulations.

  59. S1 pupils leave class 5 mins early at interval, lunch and end of day to avoid congestion.

  60. Staff have been encouraged to ensure their rooms are well ventilated, with the door and windows open.

  61. Pupil homework, in most subjects, has moved to a digital platform to reduce the risk of transmission.

  62. No assemblies, this is for all year groups.

  63. No visiting speakers, e.g. Nil By Mouth, No Knives better Lives, Show Racism the Red Card

  64. Higher Modern Studies and History teachers making videos and putting resources on line to facilitate learning for pupils who cannot attend their classes.

  65. Video and online lessons for consortia pupils and Foundation Apprenticeships.

  66. No Parents’ Nights scheduled before Christmas.

  67. InterHouse sporting events postponed.

John Robertson

Headteacher

Calderhead High School

Digital Learning

North Lanarkshire is committed to providing all children with high quality teaching and learning experiences. During the recovery of COVID-19 there may be occasions when learning has to take place digitally and out-with school. As such North Lanarkshire has launched a new Digital School aimed at providing high quality learning experiences that can be carried out remotely. Please click on the images below to find out more information about this.

Child and Young person digital learning
Child and Young Person Digital Learning
Parent Carer Digital Learning
Parent Carer Digital Learning

 

School Captains 2020

Image of School Captains
School Captains and Vice Captains

Congratulations to our  School Captains for this year, Emma Gifillan and Matthew Muir, and to our Vice Captains, Neve Black, Lewis Campbell and Amy Wilson.

Fourteen candidates applied to be School Captain and all were a credit to themselves, their families and the school. The amount of preparation that they all put in meant it took a long time to make the selections. It was very clear how much they have valued and continue to value their experience in Calderhead High School. The range of activities and experiences they have been involved in was truly impressive and a great advert for the school. The old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” could be adapted to say it takes a school with real character and integrity to develop such outstanding pupils.

Letters from Jason Leitch (National Clinical Director) and John Swinney (Depute First Minister)

Today both Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government,  and John Swinney, Depute First Minister, have written open letters to parents and carers regarding COVID 19 testing.

These letters can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

2020 DFM Letter Coronavirus –

Jason Leitch Letter on testing and common col

Facemasks

From Monday, 31 August 2020 face coverings should also be worn by staff and pupils when:

  • adults and young people in secondary schools (including special schools) are moving about the school in corridors and confined communal areas (including toilets), where physical distancing is particularly difficult to maintain;
  • adults, young people and children aged 5 and over are travelling on dedicated school transport.

We appreciate that some staff and children and young people will be unable to wear a face covering for good reasons and that position will be respected.

Staff and pupils should ensure they:

  • bring their own face coverings to school;
  • store these safely in a washable, sealable bag or container when not in use;
  • wash reusable face coverings in hot water at the end of each day; and
  • safely and hygienically dispose of disposable face coverings after use.

Please remember that a face covering can be as simple as a scarf, snood or other piece of cloth which covers the nose and mouth.

The Young Scot website has produced an excellent web page explaining the changes and further information on face coverings is available from the Scottish Government website.

Full face covering guidance is available by clicking here.

 

Information for Parents and Carers

Dear Parent / Carer,

I hope this letter finds you safe and well. I would like to set out some new arrangements that we have put in place to help keep pupils and staff safe. These are all in line with Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Council guidance. As this guidance changes we will keep you updated.

Transport

Pupils travelling by transport provided by NLC do not have to wear face coverings but can if they wish. We ask that pupils sit it in the same seats for each journey.

Pupils

At the start of interval, start of lunch and at the end of the school day pupils are asked to leave the building by the doors at the bottom of the stairs, this is to minimise/avoid large gatherings. There are hand sanitiser stations at the main entrances to the school and throughout the building, please make use of these to prevent the spread of any diseases.  In addition at the end of each block of learning pupils will be asked to wipe their desk to help prevent the spread of any disease.

Parents and carers

If parents or carers need to speak to someone the first port of call should be via telephone to their Principal Teacher of Pupil Support

Mrs Angela Buchanan (Burns)

Ms Louise Carson (Lochhead, acting)

Mrs Gillian Horn (Fleming)

Mrs Phee (Lochhead)

Mrs Ros Ward (Wallace, Mon, Tues, Wed AM)

Mr Leitch (Wallace, Wed PM, Thur, Fri)

Face to face meetings will only take place in exceptional circumstances and will be pre-arranged.

When dropping off your child at please remain in the car.

Uniform

As we are not permitted under the guidance to use our changing rooms pupils should come to school dressed for outdoor PE and remain in their kit for the rest of the day. We recommend that pupils bring a change of footwear. On all the other days pupils should come dressed in full school uniform.

2 Week Timetable Rotation for S1 /S2 / S3 /S4

To enhance the safety of all in the school community in relation to Covid 19 NLC has introduced a 2 week timetable rotation for S1-S4. The reasons for this are:

  • To reduce pupil / staff movement during the school day
  • To reduce the number of physical interactions between different staff and pupils
  • A reduction in the number of times that pupils ‘cross over’ between classes from 18 to 3
  • There will be no loss to any pupils in allocated teaching time for each subject

Please be assured that all pupils will receive 100% of time in their subjects over the course of the 2 weeks

How will this work?

Introduction of a new rotation to the existing school timetable

This will begin from Monday 17th August 2020

Timetables will remain similar, but, follow a 2 week rotation

Week 1 RED, Week 2 BLUE

Mapping the original timetable with weeks 1 & 2 as shown below, please note Mon 5, Tue 5 and Thu 5 map onto both weeks.

Original TimetableImage original Time table

 

 

RED Week 17/8, 31/8, 14/9, 28/9, 19/10, 2/11, 16/11, 30/11, 14/12Image of red timetable

 

 BLUE Week 24/8, 7/9, 21/9, 5/10, 26/10, 9/11, 23/11, 7/12, 21/12Image of blue timetable

 

John Robertson

Headteacher

Calderhead High School

Arrangements for return to school in August 2020

Please click here for the latest update from North Lanarkshire Council on the plans for pupils returning to school in August.

Secondary schools:
• Wednesday 12 August: First Year, Second Year, Third Year.
• Thursday 13 August: First Year, Fourth Year, Fifth Year, Sixth Year.
• From Friday 14 August: All pupils.
All First Year pupils will attend on 12, 13 and 14 August.

Letter from NLC re return to school
NLC letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=35006