From the Head of Secondary 16.01.2021

From the Head of Secondary 16.01.2021

Again, our students have been quick to adapt to change, with Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 continuing with online learning, Year 11 taking their mock exams in school, and Years 12 and 13 attending in-school lessons.  Teachers were also able to swiftly change their practice as necessary. Whilst it can sometimes be difficult to find positives in what our community, and the world in general, has been going through for the past year, it’s clear that we have all had to develop greater resilience and mental stamina in order to manage. This week our students have done exceptionally well and attendance has been excellent, whether at home or in school. I would like to thank all parents for their support, and of course our teachers who continue to do an outstanding job.

Trying to replicate important school events during an MCO is not easy. Parent/Teacher/Student conferences, in normal times held in the school hall, have now moved online. Last term we held the Year 7, 12 and 13 conferences in this way, and next Monday, the 25th January, we will be having the Year 9 Parent/Teacher/Student virtual meetings. More information will be sent out to Year 9 but briefly the meetings will take place at 10 – 15 minute intervals throughout the day. Year 9 teachers will set work for their other classes. Years 11, 12 and 13 students will be in school and teachers will either continue to teach them face to face or set work for them, depending on their Year 9 conference schedules. Teachers who do not teach Year 9 will continue with their lessons as normal. The next set of parent meetings, for Year 11, are scheduled to take place on the 8th February and we are currently looking at the logistics of how we can manage those. Information will be sent out in the near future.

This week I had a meeting with Student Council leaders, John and Alex. As a group the Council are determined to continue with activities and they see that they have a role in helping to raise the spirits and improve the wellbeing of students across the school. They have many ideas, including fun quizzes and artistic ventures. In addition they are determined to continue to work on their theme for this year ‘Break the Stereotype’ and we will be seeing more sessions related to that moving forward.

It was wonderful to attend the PTA New Friends virtual coffee morning on Thursday, and an opportunity for me to be reminded of the great work that this group do in welcoming new parents into our community. There is an apparent  huge generosity of spirit and I am sure that our new parents really welcome this lifeline, especially at a time when they are not able to enjoy and participate in the physical reality of the KIS community.

Next week the Year 11 exams will continue to Wednesday with normal face to face lessons restarting on Thursday. Teachers are writing the exam reports and these will be sent home by the 2nd February. It is clear that the students have taken these exams very seriously and the results will give us a good indication of where they [and teachers] need to focus to prepare for the actual exams in May/June.

 

Best regards,

Mrs Margaret Renshaw

Deputy Principal

Head of Secondary