Please could parents share the letter below, with their bairns before they return to school or Nursery on Wednesday.

Dear Pupil,

Welcome to early learning and back to school.

Thank you very much for all of your hard work undertaking learning in different ways since March last year. I have been so impressed with how you have been able to adapt and keep learning while there have been lots of changes.

I wanted to write to you as you begin a new session at school or your early learning and childcare setting. I know you will be excited to start a new class, to meet friends and staff but you also may be a bit nervous or worried. I want to let you know that all staff in Children’s Services have been working very hard to get things ready for everyone’s return and to make sure that you and the staff are safe.

There will be hand sanitiser available throughout your setting and our cleaners will be working very hard to keep you safe. We are going to ask that you continue to stay 2 metres away from staff in your setting, and that secondary pupils continue to wear a face covering in school unless they are exempt. I would also ask secondary pupils to please take two lateral flow device tests before coming back to school and then continue this twice a week when school starts. You may have heard that some 12 to 15 year olds who are more at risk of COVID and all 16 and 17 year olds are going to be invited to receive their COVID vaccination. I have included a link to some information on this for you if you are in those age groups. COVID-19 vaccine information for young people (healthscotland.com)

If you have anything you would like to ask me or if you have any ideas, I would love to hear from you, you can email me on helen.budge@shetland.gov.uk or phone my personal assistant, Arianne, and leave a message on 01595 743967.

Yours sincerely,
Helen Budge
Director of Children’s Services