Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for your exceptional support over the last few days. We have been incredibly grateful for your kindness and understanding whilst we work together to ensure pupils are well-supported, in school and beyond. Earlier this week we shared a link to a page on our website which details a number of support services across Orkney. (You can find the link from our homepage or directly here: http://www.kgsorkney.com/orkney-support-service.html) Next week, we’ll continue our support for pupils, communicating with you if we have any concerns. Over this long weekend though, we do hope you all have a relaxing few days. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Miss Claire Meakin Head Teacher Dear Parents and Carers Thank you for your continued support this week. We loved seeing so many S3 parents at our parents’ evening this week – we are looking forward to a time when these can take place in person though! On Tuesday we welcomed Simon Hay (Police) and Kevin Moar (Orkney Drugs Dog charity), along with Zoe, into school as they delivered a very timely session focusing on illegal substances. They offered pupils advice about how to keep themselves, and our whole community, safe along with sharing information about who to contact if they are concerned. We know that pupils may still have questions or concerns and we ask that you encourage them to talk to staff so we can support them together. Today’s update includes 6 notices:
Finally, a quick reminder that school is closed Friday 11th February – Tuesday 15th February. We hope you all have a lovely weekend, Miss Claire Meakin Head Teacher A notice from SQA for parents and carers of our pupils taking national qualifications this session.SQA announcement: https://blogs.sqa.org.uk/qualifications2022/support-services-for-national-5-higher-and-advanced-higher-learners-a-message-for-parents-and-carers Reminders from Mr Ewing about the options programmes currently running for our S2 – S5 pupils.S2 into S3 Options: Just a reminder the deadline for the S2 into S3 options forms is Friday 18th February, however completed options forms can be handed into Guidance staff now. There is also a recording of the recent S2 into S3 Options Information evening available here: http://www.kgsorkney.com/options2.html Senior Options: The options process for S3 into S4, S4 into S5 and S5 into S6 opened earlier this week. All our options materials are “live” on the KGS website under the options tab and parents were also be sent an Options Parents and Pupils guide electronically. The Senior Option Course sheet will be given to pupils in PSE but is available electronically if required. Pupils choose from the courses which are listed on the Courses on Offer sheet. Also on the website is a short Parents and Pupils Guide to Options booklet as well as the Senior Phase Course Descriptors, which gives more detailed information on each of our course. Finally, for details on the offer from Orkney College, the College Brochure is also on our website. To help S3 pupils plan ahead for their options in S5 and S6 there is a Progression Pathways sheet available. The deadline for the completed option forms is Friday March 4th. Online Support: There are two presentations on the KGS website to support parents of S3 and S4/S5 pupils. They can also be accessed by following the links below. S4 into S5 and S5 into S6 https://prezi.com/view/1InsAXQZpPoROerwRQgT/ S3 into S4 https://prezi.com/view/nWLfUw7CM6MFTo4E583t/ Senior Phase Information Evening: There will be an information evening for Parents on Wednesday 16th February between 6pm and 7pm. It will be on Vscene at the link: https://app.vscene.net/r/UEjHTsKtbV An update about tracking summaries for our junior pupilsWe would like to apologise for being unable to send your child’s completed Tracking Summary at this time. (S3 parents received some information for discussion at parents' evening but we know the comments were missing.) The school is working to resolve the glitch in our system and the full summary reports will be sent out as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding. A thank you from Mr Harvey and Mrs Watson for your support in ensuring pupils arrive punctually to school.We are continuing to monitor pupils who arrive at school after the 08:35 bell. The numbers of pupils arriving to school late in the morning is dropping and we would like to thank you for your support with this. However, this is still an area where we need to see a much bigger improvement. From next week, any pupil who arrives to school late three times in one week will receive a lunchtime detention. Information from DYW about our new Opportunities and Careers Information NoticeboardDYW Orkney – Opportunities and Careers Information Noticeboard: DYW Orkney have added a new feature to the noticeboard in school called Careers in the Spotlight. Each month they will interview local people about their careers and the pathway they followed to get there. The people interviewed give great advice on the things pupils can do to help them achieve their goals and I am sure their stories will inspire the pupils. This month we have Elizabeth Leslie – Hairdresser and Business Owner, Morven MacDonald – Police Scotland and our very own KGS Guidance Manager Mrs Firth. Two opportunities to recognise staff who go above and beyond to support our pupils and whole community.The Thank a Teacher campaign recognises ALL staff working in UK schools and colleges; school leaders, teachers, teaching assistants, and all support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and cleaners. Anyone can send a card; children, students, parents, grandparents and colleagues can all say thank you. If you’re feeling shy you can send a card anonymously! https://thankateacher.co.uk/thank-a-teacher/thank-a-teacher-form/
Education Scotland are now accepting nominations for their awards: https://education.gov.scot/education-scotland/news-and-events/news/nominations-for-the-scottish-education-awards-2022-are-now-open/ Dear Parents and Carers Thank you for your continued support this week. We shared with you a very important notice from OIC yesterday but we have included the link again here: https://www.facebook.com/155210207847669/posts/4815084365193540/?d=n If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Today’s update contains 4 key notices:
We hope you all have a safe and relaxing weekend, Miss Claire Meakin 1. Senior Phase Options Programme (Mr Ewing)S3 Parents Evening: Our S3 Parents' Evening is on Wednesday 2 February 5pm to 7pm. Reports will be shared with parents at the start of next week. Senior Options: The options process for S3 into S4, S4 into S5 and S5 into S6 will open on Tuesday 1 February. All our options materials will be “live” on the KGS website under the options tab on Tuesday and parents will also be sent an Options Parents and Pupils guide electronically. The Senior Option Course sheet will be given to pupils in PSE but is available electronically if required. Pupils choose from the courses which are listed on the Courses on Offer sheet. Also on the website is a short Parents and Pupils Guide to Options booklet as well as the Senior Phase Course Descriptors, which gives more detailed information on each of our course. Finally, for details on the offer from Orkney College, the College Brochure is also on our website. To help S3 pupils plan ahead for their options in S5 and S6 there is a Progression Pathways sheet available. The deadline for the completed option forms is Friday March 4th. Online Support: There are two presentations on the KGS website to support parents of S3 and S4/S5 pupils. They can also be accessed by following the links below.
Senior Phase Information Evening: There will be an information evening for Parents on Wednesday 16th February between 6pm and 7pm. It will be on Vscene at the link: https://app.vscene.net/r/UEjHTsKtbV Prelims: I would like to thank our young people for the effort they have been putting into their prelims over the last two week. For those pupils who have missed prelims, please let either let Mr Ewing or Mrs Kent know as soon as possible so we can arrange dates. Promoting positive behaviour and relationships (Mr Harvey and Mrs Watson The Celebrating Success Working Group met this week and would like to remind parents/carers that we are keen to celebrate all pupil successes. Staff continue to reward classroom success by awarding House Points and each week staff nominate pupils who they feel have gone Above and Beyond. These nominated pupils and their parents/carers receive a certificate via email. We would like to hear about pupil successes outwith school as well. If your child has been involved in a success such as sport, music etc. in the community then please let us know by emailing Mrs Watson [email protected] We will then award House Points. As Senior Pupils return to normal classes next week following the prelims can we ask all parents/carers reinforce the importance of meeting the school's expectations:
Is your child thinking of going to University? (Ms Devlin) The North of Scotland Universities Collaborative Project ( Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University, University of Highlands and Islands and Scotland's Rural College) aims to support school pupils from across the North region in thinking about future careers and pathways. On Thursday 10th February at 18:30 they will host an online information session for pupils currently making their course choices who are thinking about university in the future. The booking form can be found here: https://gck.fm/khztx All pupils, as well as their parents and carers, and school staff are welcome to attend. Free bus passes – help available! (Ms Devlin) We have become aware that the application process for a free bus pass (Young Person’s Bus Pass for 5-22 year olds) is very complicated. One of our teachers, Mr Memmott, has kindly offered to make a video to help you or your young person to apply. We will let you know when this is ready.
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