Use the Covid 19 Update Button on our Homepage for all the latest news
Headteacher's Update, 1 May 2020
Friday 1 May 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
Another week of lockdown over and I hope you and your family remain fit and well. It has been great to see pupils sharing some of their home learning work through Twitter and we are very grateful to all families for the support you are providing in making distance learning work.
As a staff we are all getting quite proficient in the use of Zoom and as well as using it to help us keep planning ahead for our return, it has been a great way of keeping in touch with colleagues. Our Friday morning coffee now takes place in a virtual classroom and it has been terrific to see so many of our staff coming together to share what has been happening through the week.
Unfortunately, this type of communication is not available for teaching at the moment but hopefully we are providing other means for keeping in touch with students using Show my Homework, Google Classroom, Guidance Checkin and the new Digital Helpsite.
Distance Learning
The new Distance Learning Framework for S1-3 is now settling in and should help to manage the demands on pupils. We are very aware that sharing out resources such as laptops, computers, iPads and workspaces can make it very challenging for you to manage learning at home.
Pupils should not become anxious if they are unable to complete work or miss a deadline. If things go wrong, please encourage them to contact their teachers via Show My Homework or Google Classroom for help. Alternatively they might want to get in touch with their Guidance teacher, using the link below, for some reassurance.
(Remember we have Chromebooks available for loan if this will help. All you need to do is complete the form, using the link below, and then arrange a time to collect.)
We are now in the process of finalising the new timetable for next session and this inevitably involves some recoursing for pupils. Ms Lewis will be in touch with you if this affects your son or daughter.
Senior Phase students will be starting their new courses in the week beginning 18 May and their teachers will be updating online class lists in preparation for this. I will provide further details and reminders of this process to parents and pupils over the next two weeks.
Reminders
- If your child needs GLOW or Show My Homework details, use the form on the school website.
- All pupils have been sent, via Show My Homework, a link for the new Digital Helpsite if they need help in using Google Classroom or Show my Homework
- If you or your child would like to get in touch with Guidance, use the Pupil Login form on the website.
- There is also the opportunity to borrow a Chromebook from the council if required. Go to the 'Chromebook Loan' tab in the top right of the microsite above and complete the form as soon as
- If you are a keyworker and you would like to access care for your child for the weeks ahead, please complete the online form https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Emergplacewb2303/
SQA Awards 2020 for Senior Phase Pupils
The SQA have launched a new section on their website for students. This has lots of information, including, frequently asked questions, about this year’s awards process.
I would also remind you to check the SQA Awards 2020 statement from Midlothian Council.
Support for School Leavers
This is a very challenging time for us all but for those students about to leave school, the uncertainty is particularly acute. We are working very closely with Skill Development Scotland, Midlothian Life Long Learning and Employability, Colleges and Universities to ensure as far as possible students will be able to follow their chosen pathways.
A Midlothian working group has been established to look at how we will best be able to support pupils in this situation and I am expecting to be able to share some of this information with you next week.
P7 to S1 Transition
Given the ongoing school closures, the planned transition programme for our next S1 pupils is going to look very different to what has happened in the past. We are however still working closely with our Primary colleagues to develop an online plan to make sure the pupils are ready to start with us as soon as we get the green light to go.
Please keep checking our website for information, updates and how to keep in touch.
Best wishes
D MacDonald, Headteacher St David's RC High School
Headteacher's Update, 22 April 2020
Wednesday 22 April 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope all is well with you and your family and you managed to enjoy this year’s very different Easter holiday.
As we embark on a Summer term which will continue to be dominated by distance/home learning I would like to update you on the recent SQA developments and our plans for how we will be sharing learning.
SQA Awards 2020 for Senior Phase Pupils
On the 20 April 2020 the SQA published a further clarification of how teacher estimates will be used to inform the final certification for students this year. SQA National Courses – Delivering Results in 2020
Schools now have until the end of May to submit their estimates. The SQA will then check, validate and moderate the submitted grades before making the awards. Results will be made available to candidates by 4 August via text message and certificate.
I would stress to all pupils and parents that although this information is helpful and welcome, we had already been working very hard on gathering and reviewing appropriate evidence before the shutdown. This precautionary approach will serve teachers well in recognising the high quality work from our pupils.
Distance Learning
Over the past couple of weeks we have been asking pupils about how well they feel online learning has been going and we have also had some very helpful feedback from parents. One of the main issues highlighted has been the quantity of work received, often all on one day. As a result some pupils have felt overwhelmed.
In order to help we are working on a simple framework for S1-3 pupils so that teachers will issue work across the week. This should mean that pupils will receive much more manageable levels of work each day. We are just finalising the framework with staff at the moment but it will be in place from Monday 27 April. I will, of course, share the framework via email and on the website as soon as it is ready.
Senior Phase pupils should continue to engage with work set by teachers to ensure they are ready for moving on to the next stage in their learning. Although the date for change of timetable remains Monday 1 June, it is our intention to move senior phase pupils into their new option ‘classes’ before this date. However there is still some timetable planning work to be completed and online technical issues to be resolved before we can make this change.
Finally, please remember that there is no expectation that families should recreate the school day at home. Routine is good, but it has to be balanced with time to relax and of course, exercise. Secondary pupils love having the chance to move to another classroom and subject every 50mins, so do not be surprised if they want to move around the house or take regular breaks!
One of the main aims of Curriculum for Excellence was to encourage us all to see that learning can take place in lots of different ways and contexts. So if your son or daughter is reading to a younger sibling or helping them with their maths or encouraging them to practice their ukulele or chopping the vegetables for tea, encourage them and celebrate this learning as much as completing their school work.
Reminders
- If your child needs GLOW or Show My Homework details, use the form on the school website.
- If you or your child would like to get in touch with Guidance, use the Pupil Login form on the website.
- There is also the opportunity to borrow a Chromebook from the council if required. Go to the 'Chromebook Loan' tab in the top right of the microsite above and complete the form as soon as
- If you are a keyworker and you would like to access care for your child for the weeks ahead, please complete the online form https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Emergplacewb2303/
Please keep checking our website for information, updates and how to keep in touch.
Best wishes
D MacDonald, Headteacher St David's RC High School
Midlothian Council COVID-19 Update, Friday 17 April 2020
(Copy of letter parents and carers from F Robertson, Executive Director)
Dear Parent / Carer
COVID-19 Information for Midlothian Parents and Carers
Our education staff would like to thank you for all the support you are giving to your children in these unprecedented times. We are delighted to see and read about how well families are embracing home learning activities and a very different daily routine. We also recognize that this has been a very different Easter break for many families but hope that you were able to enjoy time together as a family.
In accordance with national guidance, you will be aware that other than provision for children of key workers our schools and nurseries remain closed. As a result, our Headteachers and teachers have been working together on plans for a virtual summer term, including the continuation of support for your child’s education via online learning opportunities. We expect all children and young people to continue to remain focused and working hard on completing the work set by their teachers to support continuity and progression in their learning.
During this summer term we will:
- Ensure children of key workers have continuing access to learning or childcare in our Hub schools and with our Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) funded providers.
- Support vulnerable children who rely on schools for a safe and supportive environment.
- Continue to post learning assignment tasks for children, including active learning opportunities which can be undertaken with families.
- Provide suitable learning opportunities for those who are unable to access technology or the internet.
- Deliver free school meals from our the primary school Hubs and secondary pupils and their siblings will continue to receive a BACs payment to purchase food for lunches; and
- provide younger children who were receiving 1140 hours of ELC with the opportunity to receive a meal either delivered by one of our Hubs or in one of our ELC funded providers.
The health and well-being of all our children, young people and our Midlothian families also remains a priority for us. We will continue to offer support from our Educational Psychology Service (EPS) and you can find useful resources for parents on the EPS blog; https://mideps.edublogs.org and a telephone helpline operates every Thursday from 10-12 on 0131 270 5615.
I am sure you will have many questions about aspects of your child’s education and our schools will provide you directly with further information on aspects such as arrangements for transition, reporting and SQA and other qualifications at the start of the summer term next week.
I thank you for your understanding and continuing support throughout this challenging period.
Yours sincerely
Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships
cathy.lailvaux@midlothian.gov.uk
StDHS - Update 27 March 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope all is well with you and you family during this very troubling time.
The school is still open as part of the Campus Hub to provide care for children of keyworkers, Most parents, however, have made their own arrangements for care through the week as government advice has continued to evolve. So it is a very quiet and very 'un-school like' building at the moment!
Key Worker Support
If you are a keyworker and you would like to access care for your child for the weeks ahead, including during the Easter holidays, please complete the online form
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Emergplacewb2303/
Distance Learning
The council has set up a microsite at https://sites.google.com/mc.glow.scot/distancelearning-parentcarer/ to provide additional help and support in accessing the various distance learning platforms available.
*Remember if your child needs GLOW or Show My Homework details, use the form on the school website.
There is also the opportunity to borrow a Chromebook from the council if required. Go to the 'Chromebook Loan' tab in the top right of the microsite above and complete the form as soon as possible.
Free School Meals
We are working with the council to develop a clear system for delivering to all who are in receipt of free school meals and I will update all concerned as soon as the information is available.
Please keep checking our website for information, updates and how to keep in touch.
Best wishes
D MacDonald, Headteacher St David's RC High School
Covid-19 Update 25 March 2020
SQA Announcement 24 March 2020 – Coursework
As you will be aware the SQA has now made a significant announcement regarding coursework. This statement can be accessed via the link below.
In effect the SQA has confirmed that, in order to comply with public health advice, they will not uplift or mark any Higher or Advanced Higher coursework. However, this work can be ‘used as part of the suite of evidence for teachers and lecturers to draw on as they consider estimated grades.’
National 5 coursework that was submitted earlier this month will be assessed by SQA markers, but any National 5 coursework that was due for submission in April or May will not be uplifted or marked. Again, any work that remains in school will be considered by our staff as they work towards finalising students’ estimate grades.
Where appropriate, and in line with SQA guidance, some coursework may continue to be progressed online under teacher direction. However, most N5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses require strict adherence to SQA assessment arrangements and so, for this reason, work completed at home on these courses cannot be considered by staff as they review the evidence that underpins the estimate grade.
For this reason, we would ask that you do not contact staff directly to ask them to take account of any work students have undertaken at home.
We understand that this is a very frustrating time but please be reassured we will follow the guidance we have been given, by the SQA and the Scottish Government, to ensure that all students are provided with a fair and equitable service at this unprecedented time.
Full SQA Statement https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/93658.html
Distance Learning
Staff are working hard to make online learning available via Show My Homework, with over 400 pieces of work posted in the last week alone. This work is available for all year groups and we hope our students are enjoying engaging with our online learning resources and interactions with staff. There should be plenty to keep all of our learners busy.
S1-S3 have work set regularly, some of which is to be submitted for feedback. S4-6 will have a number of tutorials and assignments to engage with to prepare for their next levels of study in school or as they move on to their other place of study or work.
Show My Homework Posts 18-25 March 2020
S1 130
S2 109
S3 80
S4 51
S5/6 49
Remember if you require Show My Homework or Glow details for your child please use the form on our website to request help.
Midlothian Council - SQA Exams Statement, 23 March 2020
Dear Parent / Carer
SQA Exam Diet
You will know by now that the 2020 exam diet has been cancelled and yesterday, Sunday 22 March, the Depute First Minister provided local authorities with updated advice in relation to S4-S6 pupils. As a result of this advice, S4-S6 pupils should NOT go into school for any reason. An exception, however, is vulnerable S4-S6 pupils who access Complex Needs Provision. They should follow individual arrangements already in place for them with their school.
Part of the normal preparation for achieving a qualification includes completing coursework, assignments and folios. Certification will be based on both predicted attainment, coursework and assessment throughout this year. Certification will NOT be based solely on prelim performance. Where possible, S4-S6 pupils, should finish their coursework at home and schools will make arrangements to provide further guidance and support to S4-S6 pupils in due course. Schools, as of today, Monday 23 March 2020, will be working with staff to plan this support. Please do not contact your child’s school for information as to how they should complete their coursework or their predicted grades as this work is not yet complete and further information will be provided in due course.
I want to reassure you and your children that teachers, who know your children well as learners, will be doing everything possible to ensure they get their best possible qualification.
Midlothian Council
Midlothian Council Announcement 22 March 2020
We have just been informed, Sunday 22 March 2020, by John Swinney, Depute First Minister of updated advice to all local authorities in relation to S4-S6 pupils. As a result of this advice, S4-S6 pupils should NOT go into school for any reason. An exception, however, is vulnerable S4-S6 pupils who access Complex Needs Provision. They should follow individual arrangements already in place for them with their school.
Instead, where possible, S4-S6 pupils, should finish their course work at home and schools will make arrangements to provide further guidance and support to S4-S6 pupils in due course. Schools, as of tomorrow, Monday 23 March 2020, will be working with staff to plan this support.
Further details will be coming from the SQA about how pupils’ qualifications and achievements will be graded in the light of this latest decision announced today by Deputy First Minister, John Swinney.
Click here for a copy of the announcement https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-51987906
Midlothian Council - School Closures Statement
Monday 23 March until further notice:
All Schools will be closed to Primary Pupils and S1-3 Pupils with the following exceptions:
Saltersgate School will remain open to support our children with severe and complex needs. The Head Teacher will be in contact with individual families outlining the individual arrangements which will be in place.
All Secondary Schools will be open to S4-6 Pupils only in order to complete any SQA mandatory coursework and assessments prior to the published deadlines. Please refer to individual High School Websites for further updates. We are planning a phased approach to distance learning however priority will be given to S4-S6 to begin with.
We are now focussed on planning for the families of staff belonging to the following groups key worker groups: Emergency Services, NHS, Health and Social Care Partnership including Care at Home, Teachers and Council Staff who have requested assistance with Childcare in order to ensure that we deliver critical services. This requested provision will be delivered through 4 secondary and 4 primary schools acting as Hubs. Individual Schools will be in touch with the individual families to alert them to the arrangements which will be put in place.
Free School Meals: We are currently working with catering services in order to finalise arrangements for the distribution of food for children entitled to free school meals and further information will be communicated as soon as plans have been finalised.
Public health advice and guidance should continue to be followed for staff and pupils with underlying health conditions and self-isolation.
As you will appreciate there is significant planning needed to move this forward and we will continue to update our website to keep you informed.
You can listen to the Deputy First Ministers announcement at this link:
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Guidance for parents and carers in the event of school closure due to Coronavirus | [pdf 415KB] |
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COVID19 advice for supporting children and young people | [pdf 218KB] |
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SQA Coronavirus Update - Wednesday 18 March - SQA | [pdf 72KB] |
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COVID19 WebsiteUpdate160320 | [pdf 289KB] |
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Coronavirus Information for Schools 27th February | [pdf 578KB] |
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