Dear Parents and Carers, We’ve been asked to share with you details about how 12 – 15 year olds can access a covid vaccination this weekend: https://www.orcadian.co.uk/orkney-youngsters-to-receive-covid-vaccine/ Whilst the number of cases across Orkney has reduced over the last few weeks, we are mindful that there could be incidences where pupils may have to isolate in the future. Therefore, we’ve added simple information on the homepage of our website. If you have any questions though, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Guidance Teacher. Developing the Young Workforce has recently employed 3 new school coordinators, Leah Rendall, will be the coordinator linked to KGS. Developing the Young Workforce is a Scottish Government initiative which aims to improve links between education and the world of work, to increase opportunities for our young people. DYW Orkney will work closely with the school, Skills Development Scotland, employers, and other partners, which will enable us to create a common sense of purpose when supporting young people’s personal and also career development. You can find more information about the work that DYW Orkney do on their website https://www.dyworkney.co.uk/ or see regular updates on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, just search for DYW Orkney. Young WEIR-WISE: Discovering Engineering with S2 Girls. Virtual Programme through University of Strathclyde. 24 January 2022 The University of Strathclyde are delighted to be offering an on line programme in 2022 for female pupils in S2. It will take place Monday 24 January 2022 from 9.00am – 3.00pm.Participants will hear from staff who will provide an insight into studying and working in the field of engineering. They will also be issued in advance with a Young WEIR-WISE ‘Lab Kit’ to take part remotely in practical activities which staff will guide them through during the online sessions. Further information is available on the Young WEIR-WISE website (https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/outreach/weir-wise/) and a link to the online application form will also be available here from Friday 1 October 2021 when applications open. Message from Brian Cromarty and Kirsty Rochford of Voluntary Action Orkney: We will be in KGS over lunchtime on Wednesday 6th October, outside the theatre doors. No appointment necessary for pupils but they can talk to them if:
National Qualifications: SQA have shared a message for parents and carers about how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be assessed in 2021-22. A link to their information can be found here: Parent guide to NQ assessments 2021-22 - SQA Finally, as we approach the end of term, I wanted to ask if there’s a member of staff who you think has gone above and beyond this term to support your child. Please consider taking 1 minute to send a free, anonymous thank you to them through the national ‘Thank a Teacher’ programme: https://thankateacher.co.uk/thank-a-teacher/thank-a-teacher-form/ We intend to share another update on Wednesday next week with you. Until then, we hope you have a relaxing weekend. Miss Claire Meakin Head Teacher Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for your continued support this week. Pupils have continued to impress staff with their focus in their lessons and their determination to make the most of activities beyond the classroom. The first tracking summary for senior pupils will be sent out today, with parents of S2 and S3 pupils receiving theirs before the October holidays. We remain hopeful that covid restrictions will be eased after the holidays allowing us to organise a Parents’ Evening for S1 pupils soon after. The two following documents have been drafted by e-Sgoil so support pupils learning at home whilst isolating, but we think all pupils could benefit from access to the resources. Please let your child’s Guidance Teacher know if you would like any more information: Secondary BGE Senior Phase Notice for S1 Parents: SDS (Skills Development Scotland) have organised a webinar to introduce careers information to parents. “Want to know more about SDS career information, advice and guidance support for your young person throughout their time at school? Join our careers advisers Lesley and Gordon to hear about SDS, the role of SDS careers advisers in schools and information to support career planning. The online session will also introduce our careers web service My World of Work, which has a dedicated area for parents and carers. Parents and carers can register for our session here. https://s1parentsandcarers.eventbrite.co.uk” Finally, we’re asking parents of ex-pupils to check if there are any textbooks at home that haven’t yet been returned. If you do find one, we’d love to have it returned to the school reception area. Thank you for your support with this. We hope you have a lovely weekend, Miss Claire Meakin Head Teacher Dear Parents and Carers,
This week Ms Devlin and I had the brilliant opportunity to visit Papdale Halls of Residence and to hear about the experiences for some of our pupils of staying away from home during the week. The pupils’ stories were incredible and they demonstrate real confidence, resilience and determination to make the most of every opportunity. We are already looking forward to our next visit. Over the last 4 weeks we’ve undertaken to listen to as many pupils’ views as possible through questionnaires to all pupils, along with small group and one-to-one follow up discussions. So far pupils are reporting that the areas of our school that they believe are the strongest include: They feel safe and happy; they have strong support from staff and they have a range of extra-curricular activities to choose from. Areas they would like the school to focus on in the future include: How we celebrate their achievements and how we can give them more opportunities to make choices about their learning. We have one final questionnaire being shared with pupils over the next two weeks and then I will summarise all their responses for you before the October holidays. This week we’ve been asked to share 2 emails regarding covid with you. The first was from James Wylie, Head of Education, Leisure and Housing in Orkney Island Council. The second was from Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director. Both emails thank our whole community for their efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible and ask that, where possible, we continue to encourage our young people to take twice-weekly lateral flow tests and to wear our face covering when social distancing cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for your support with this. Teachers have been reviewing pupils' progress so far this year and are in the process of completing our first Tracking Summary of the year. We will use this information to support pupils to ensure they meet their targets and achieve their potential. We aim to share the first set of information with Senior parents / carers next Friday, with information being shared with S2 and S3 parents / carers before the October holidays. An explanation of Tracking and the Tracking Summaries you will receive can be found on our website: http://www.kgsorkney.com/pupil-progress.html We will be organising a S1 parents’ evening as soon as covid restrictions allow but please don’t hesitate to contact us in the meantime if you have any questions. Guidance staff have been pleased to launch 'togetherall', a confidential online mental health support community to our S5 and S6 pupils this week. This offers pupils the opportunity to access well being support that is right for them, at a time that works for them. Further details can be found at www.togetherall.com. All pupils have also been reminded that our School Health Team, and our In School Counsellors are back in school and are available to support pupils. If pupils would benefit from meeting with a School Counsellor, or a member of the School Health Team, appointments can be made through Guidance staff, or pupils can self-refer - whatever feels easiest for them. As always, if you or your child have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you all have a relaxing weekend, Miss Claire Meakin Head Teacher |
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