Term 3, Week 2

Dear Parents and Carers

We’ve enjoyed lots of successes and achievements this week, including presenting a group of pupils with their John Muir Discovery Award. You can read a little about the pupils’ hard work, along with seeing some of them receive their awards from Mr Ewing, on the homepage of our website.

We loved chatting with S2 parents and carers this week at our virtual parents’ evening and we look forward to seeing S3 parents and carers on 2nd February.  Details about how to book appointments will be shared on Monday 24th January and the booking will close on Monday 31st January.

We will be sharing our latest tracking summaries with all S1 – 3 parents before the midterm break and we will keep our senior parents updated with pupils’ progress in their prelims before the end of term. If parents or carers have any questions in the meantime though, please don’t hesitate to contact the relevant Guidance Teacher.

 
Securing the best outcomes for all (Mr Ewing)

S4 Prelim arrangements Monday 17th to Friday 28th: For S4 there will be no study leave and pupils are expected in school as normal. However, when in classes, National 5 S4 pupil will be given the opportunity to study, and National 4 pupils may work on internal assessment, added value units etc. Pupils should, if they have no exam, go to College as normal. 

S5 and S6 exam arrangements: S5/6 pupils will have study leave from Monday 17th to Friday 28th January and will only be required to be in school if they have an exam, or they choose to study here. Pupils will be welcome to study in school during study leave but we ask that they wear dress code and sign in and out of school at normal times ie at the start of the day, break and lunch.  This is important as we need to know who is in the building for safety purposes.

Covid Mitigations: We have identified week beginning 31 January as a catch-up week when any pupil who have missed a prelim due to Covid will have the opportunity to sit their assessments. Pupils will be asked to wear masks during their prelims and to hand sanitise on their way in and way out of their venue. Pupils should be aware that the prelim venues will be well ventilated and should wear suitable clothing.

S2 into S3 Options: S2 into S3 options materials go live on the KGS Website on Monday 17 January. There will be an online options information evening for S2 on Tuesday 25th January 6pm – 7pm. Login details etc to follow

S3 into S4, S4 into S5 and S5 into S6 Options: Options for our senior phase pupils will begin on 1 February and close on 4 March and more information for parents and pupils will follow shortly

 
Promoting positive behaviour and relationships (Mr Harvey and Mrs Watson)

SUPPORTING PUNCTUAL ATTENDANCE TO SCHOOL
We have been working hard over the past few months to effectively support pupils to arrive at school on time. It is important that all pupils arrive at school on time for registration at 08:35am. Registration is an important part of the school day, giving pupils a consistent daily start at Kirkwall Grammar School.

There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of pupils arriving for school late over the past months and we want to thank all pupils, parents/carers and staff for supporting this. As a result, we are now able to adopt a slightly different approach to monitoring and supporting punctual attendance.

From Monday 17th January the following approach will applied:

• pupils are expected to be in registration at 08:35am
• any pupil arriving after 08:35am will be required to sign in with a member of the Senior Leadership Team
• any pupil who is late twice in one week will be given a lunchtime detention.  (If a pupil is late due to a medical appointment, any other unforeseen one-off reason or has an arrangement in place with Guidance will not be given a detention)

 

Universal support (Ms Devlin)

Last week we shared with parents the link to sign their child up for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel scheme.  We have been made aware that the application form is quite extensive so we are keen to support all parents to complete this. If you we can help in this process, please contact Amy Berry on the normal school number who will organise a time to support you.
 
For Parents/Carers of S5 Pupils: Applications to Sutton Trust Summer Schools are now open.
What is the Sutton Trust Summer School? This opportunity is for pupils who may be interested in degree apprenticeships or going to study at University. Successful applicants experience a week-long residential at one of thirteen universities across the UK.  Attending Summer Schools increases confidence, raises aspirations, and prepares students for the way ahead. 

All costs including travel, accommodation, food and activities are covered which means it is completely free of charge for students to attend. You can watch a short video here to give you a taste of what Sutton Trust Summer Schools are like. Pupils should speak with their Guidance Teacher, if they would like to find our more information on how to apply.
 

Finally, we had a reminder from OIC Chief Executive this week: The May Day Bank Holiday on 2 May has been cancelled and this has been replaced by a Jubilee Holiday on 2 and 3 June.  Our calendar has been updated on the homepage of our website.

​We hope you all have a relaxing weekend.
Miss Claire Meakin