Microsoft Teams is the platform that Calderhead High School are using to provide online learning. Please click here or see below for information on how to access Teams.
Click to access Accessing-Teams.pdf
Return to School January 2021
Update January 5th 2021
Return to School in January 2021
Following on from the First Minister’s announcement at the weekend, please click on the image below for a letter from Derek Brown, Executive Director, Education and Families regarding pupils’ return to school in January, together with a Key Worker form.
Information regarding SQA qualifications 2021
In October of this session the Scottish Government announced the cancellation of the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) 2021 National 5 exams and last week they also announced the cancellation of the 2021 SQA exams for Higher and Advanced Higher courses. One week ago the SQA published on their website their plans for an Alternative Certification Model (ACM) for National 5 and we expect a similar plan for Higher and Advanced Higher in due course.
For National 5 the SQA have asked for pupil estimate grades to be based on between 2 and 4 pieces specific pieces of work. Each subject has their own specific requirements. Between now and the end of May 2021 the SQA will be checking with schools that the work is of the correct standard and that agreed National standards are being applied in all schools across Scotland. We will continue to let pupils know what grade they are working at through the Tracking Reports, the first of which was issued in November. Depending on pupil performance these Working Grades can be adjusted up and down as they move through each course. We have been asked to submit provisional grades by the end of March and final grades by the 28th of May 2021.
Given that we now know what the SQA are looking for and that there are no final exams in May 2021, and having consulted with pupils and staff over the last week, we have cancelled our Prelim Diet for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses that was scheduled for February 2021. Instead we will have regular assessments at a time when staff think pupils will perform to their best. As such we are in the process of developing an assessment calendar that we will share with S4, S5, S6 pupils through Teams. We are very mindful that the SQA have asked schools to ensure that assessments used are valid, reliable, practicable and fair. We will be working with staff from North Lanarkshire schools and beyond in order to moderate pupil work and to verify that we are consistently marking to the correct standard.
Mr Graham took the time this morning to speak to all S4, S5, S6 pupils to explain the situation regarding the prelims, cancelled SQA exams and future assessments. Staff are well aware of the competing demands on pupil time and have been asked to bear this in mind when scheduling future assessment dates. As there are less than 90 days between now and the 28th May 2021 we expect pupils on average to be undertaking at least one assessment per week when we return in January.
The SQA still intend to publish certificates on the 10th August 2021, and through the regular sharing of Working Grades we hope that there will be few surprises at that stage.
This is a new situation for all of us Parents, Carers, Pupils and Staff, we will need to work together to ensure the best outcome for the pupils. This will not be easy, however I am confident we will succeed. Please contact Pupil Support in the first instance if you have any concerns.
John Robertson
Headteacher
Calderhead High School
Christmas Food Bank Appeal 2020
Every year in the lead up to Christmas, Calderhead High School asks pupils to donate items to our local food bank. This year the parcels will be going to local charity, Paul’s Parcels.
Pupils are asked to donate some of the items listed below in order to make up food parcels:
- non perishable items such as tinned goods and pasta
- cereals and crisps
- teabags, coffee and sugar
- basic toiletries and household cleaning products
The donation boxes can be found in the nurture room and outside the sixth year common room, or can also be given to any member of the prefect team.
This is a whole school house event with the house with the most donated items winning house points that go towards the end of year trophy.
Items need to be in by Friday 18th December and we would be most grateful if you would donate to this very worthy cause.
Paul’s Parcels is a food poverty prevention charity, operational in the town of Shotts and the villages of Harthill, Salsburgh, Allanton and Hartwood. They began in 2018 with a Christmas campaign which aimed to provide families with a 3 course Christmas dinner, delivered to their homes. On Christmas Day they provided food for 98 adults and children as well as a further 38 food parcels with surplus food donated.
However, realising the scale of food poverty/ insecurity within the area and after being messaged and approached to ask if they could help provide food, they set up a food bank in April 2019. They began gathering donations and asking families in need to contact them. Following lockdown in March 2020, the charity’s service was in high demand and they began helping furloughed and self employed families as well. In April 2020 they had outgrown our room in the Scout Hall and had to find bigger premises so moved to their current location in Dykehead. In May 2020 Paul’s Parcels were granted charitable status and are now Scottish Charity SC050157.
The charity is called Paul’s Parcels in memory of Tracey’s youngest brother Paul, who sadly passed away age 37. Paul was a manager within the Charity sector and it was his life’s work, so when it came to naming the project, it seemed only fitting. The volunteers who work with the charity are Tracey, Gerry, Isabel, Kathleen, Gemma, Kaitlyn and our very own S6 pupil, Kayla.
St Andrew’s Hospice Coffee Morning
The Calderhead Captain and Prefects team organised a coffee morning for staff on Friday, 27 November. They raised £233.80 for St Andrew’s Hospice. The Hospice provides specialist palliative care to people living with life-limiting illnesses, and their loved ones and carers too.
It was a slightly different event this year with Covid 19 restrictions in place but staff nonetheless enjoyed their sandwiches and cakes!
Well done to Matthew and the team for organising the coffee morning.
Face Masks
Update: The Calderhead face masks are now available to buy. Featuring the school badge and motto, these black face masks can be washed and reused and cost £2.
Scottish Government guidance requires pupils to wear a face covering on school buses and in communal areas, with S4-S6 pupils also required to wear a face covering in class. We have a limited supply of paper Face Masks for pupils who have forgotten to bring theirs. Unfortunately the number of paper Face Masks that we are handing out is increasing on a weekly basis.
In order to be kinder to the environment I am asking that pupils wear a face covering that can be washed and reused. To support this we will soon be selling a 2ply cloth Face Mask.
John Robertson
Headteacher
Calderhead High School
Orienteering Winners
Congratulations to Hannah and Zuzia who won the recent S4 Orienteering challenge.Information re Covid 19
Please see the attached letter from Derek Brown, Executive Director, Education and Families, regarding the updated advice from the government guidance for level 4 for schools.
Children in Need 2020
UPDATE: Well done to Calderhead High School’s Captains and Prefects team who raised £671.01 for Children in Need!
They organised a dress down day and Rounders Festival for BBC Children in Need on Friday, 13th November. Staff and pupils braved the inclement Shotts weather to play spirited games of rounders in their year groups and a great time was had by all. Well done to everyone who organised and participated in the fundraising activities.
Parents and carers can help the fundraising effort by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/calderheadhsprefectteam
