It was great to see S3 and S4 back at school on Thursday and then S5 and S6 on Friday. The 5 months out of school seemed to be quickly forgotten as everyone settled back in really well. Thank you for your support in making sure students arrived at the right time – this really helped to maintain social and physical distancing and to keep numbers manageable.
So, we have now had all year groups back and tomorrow they will all be in school together. Our phased return has given us the chance to see how some of our planned changes worked in practice, and we are going to adapt things further by making a slight change to lunch times for S1, 4, 5 and 6. For them, lunch will be 5 minutes later. This will allow S2 and 3 to return to class before S1, 4, 5 and 6 begin their lunch, further reducing the chance of gathering in large numbers. The updated timings of the school day are attached below – these will be explained to students by their teachers and staff.
Lunches
Our catering partners, Chartwells, are now able to offer a more extensive menu than that previously communicated. Meals can be pre-paid through Parent Pay and then collected from the canteen at lunchtime using contactless payment. However, we have not yet received payment cards for S1 and will issue these as soon as they arrive in school. Meals should be ordered during Daily Morning Tutor for S1-3 and during period 1 for S4-6. We would encourage all students who are entitled to a free school meal to make sure they take advantage of this service.
Drinks can also now be purchased from the canteen using contactless payment. However, payment cards can only be topped up through parent pay.
As is normally the case, S1 students should stay in school for lunch up until the October break (unless they go home for lunch). Other year groups going out for lunch must remember that queues will be a bit longer than usual and that face coverings will be required. Students should only go out at lunchtime if they know they will make it back in time.
Vulnerable Students
Although the Scottish Government have paused the arrangements for ‘shielding’ of those in the clinically vulnerable category, we know that some students remain more vulnerable due to their own health condition or that of a close family member. If this applies to your child, please contact the school office to let us know and to discuss any additional steps that may be required to ensure your child returns to school safely.
Modern Languages Department Update
We are really excited to be able to offer both French and Spanish now to all of our BGE year groups. This year all S1 classes will be learning French for 2 periods per week and Spanish for 1 period a week. In S2 this will change and pupils will study 2 periods of Spanish and 1 period of French. New S3 students will be given the choice of which language they wish to study for this year: French or Spanish. We will do our best to accommodate all S3 language choices as best we can.
Staffing Update
I am delighted to be welcoming several new staff to the school at the start of the new session. In Modern Languages, we welcome Myriam Hamilton, Francesca Smith and new Curriculum Leader, Philippa Hastings. In maths, we welcome Robert Milton, Vasiliki Latsiou and Helen Burr. Welcome also to Heidi Ng, in English, and Gerardine Renwick, in Home Economics.
The Updated School Day
S1 Monday to Thursday
| Period | Time | Information |
| DMT | 8:30am – 8:40am | Arrive at 8:25am |
| 1+2 | 8:40am – 10:35am | |
| Break | 10:35am – 10:50am | No Canteen Available |
| 3+4 | 10:50am – 12:50pm | |
| Lunch | 12:50pm – 1:35pm | |
| 5+6 | 1:35pm – 3:15pm | To accommodate staggered release |
S1 Friday
| Period | Time | Information |
| DMT | 8:30am – 8:40am | Arrive at 8:25am |
| 1+2 | 8:40am – 10:25am | |
| Break | 10:25am – 10:40am | No Canteen Available |
| 3+4 | 10:40am – 12:25pm |
S2 and S3 Monday to Thursday
| Period | Time | Information |
| DMT | 8:30 – 8:40am | Arrive at 8:25am |
| 1+2 | 8:40am – 10:50am | |
| Break | 10.15am – 10.30am | No canteen available – return to period 1/2 class |
| 3+4 | 10:50am – 1:30pm | |
| Lunch | 12.00 noon – 12:45pm | Return to period 3/4 class at 12.45) |
| 5+6 | 1:30pm – 3:15pm | Break 2:15pm – 2:30pm |
| No canteen available – return to period 5/6 class |
S2 and S3 Friday
| Period | Time | Information |
| DMT | 8:30am – 8:40am | Arrive at 8:25am |
| 1+2 | 8:40am – 10:40am | |
| Break | 10.05am-10:20am | No canteen available – return to period 1/2 class |
| 3+4 | 10:40am – 12:25pm |
S4, 5 and 6 Monday to Thursday
| Period | Time | Information |
| 1+2 | 8:45am – 10:35am | |
| Break | 10:35am – 10:50am | No Canteen Available |
| 3+4 | 10:50am – 12:50pm | |
| Lunch | 12:50pm – 1:35pm | |
| 5+6 | 1:35pm – 3:25pm |
S4, 5 and 6 Friday
| Period | Time | Information |
| 1+2 | 8:45am – 10:25am | |
| Break | 10:25am – 10:40am | No Canteen Available |
| 3+4 | 10:40am – 12:35pm |
Thanks and best wishes
Stephen Rafferty
Head Teacher