Letters from the Head Teacher

31st May 2022

Dear parent/guardian,
Just a reminder that we will welcome our new S4, S5 and S6 pupils into senior phase tomorrow for their 2-day induction. Pupils should report to the following areas:

New S4 - Canteen
New S5 - Theatre
New S6 - Rm 19

Could pupils also bring PE kit as we intend to break up the day with practical sessions. Lastly, a reminder that tomorrow evening at 7pm we will have Fiona MacLeod from Police Scotland giving a presentation on the following themes:

1. Underage drinking - what the law says, and the dangers involved.
2. Online behaviour and the potential repercussions of inappropriate behaviour.
3. Image sharing and the law.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

27th May 2022

Dear parent/guardian,
As part of our senior phase induction next week, we informed you that we will have Police Scotland coming in to talk to our young people. The topics covered will be as follows:

1. Underage drinking - what the law says, and the dangers involved.
2. Online behaviour and the potential repercussions of inappropriate behaviour.
3. Image sharing and the law.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

24th May 2022

Dear parent/guardian,
As part of our senior phase induction next week, we have Police Scotland coming in to talk to our young people. The topics covered will be as follows:

1. Underage drinking - what the law says, and the dangers involved.
2. Online behaviour and the potential repercussions of inappropriate behaviour.
3. Image sharing and the law.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

17th September 2021

Good morning,
Now that we have agreed our online parent's evenings for this term, I would like to share all our key dates for the coming year re parent's evenings and reporting:

Report cards:
S3 short report - September 3rd 
Senior Phase short report - October 5th 
S3 full report - November 19th 
S2 short report - December 17th 
Senior Phase full report - January 31st 
S1 short report - February 11th
S2 full report - April 1st 
S1 full report - May 20th 

Parents evenings:
S1 parent's evening - September 23rd, online
S2 parent's evening - September 30th, online
S4 parents evening - October 6th (additional parents evening agreed with SLPTC) online
S4 parents evening - November 24th, location TBC
S5/6 parents evening - December 9th, location TBC
S3 parents evening - February 24th, location TBC

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

16th September 2021

Good afternoon,
In consultation with the Sgoil Lionacleit Parent Council it was decided that we would trial online parent's evenings this term. I am very glad that this decision was reached given that we have been advised to maintain current CV-19 arrangements until the October holidays.

We have bought software from a company that specialises in online parent's evenings and have spent the few weeks since the parent council meeting building the database and training staff. Online parent's evenings this term will be as follows:

• S1 - 23rd September 17.30pm - 19.30pm
• S2 - 30th September 17.30pm - 19.30pm
• S4 - 6th October 17.30pm - 19.30pm

Later today all S1 parents/guardians will be emailed a link to the parents evening booking system, please use this link to log in to the system and begin booking appointments. Appointments for S1 parent's evening can be made from 4pm today until 8pm on Wednesday 22nd September. S2 and S4 parents/guardians will be sent their links next week.

Please see below for a helpful video which shows how the parents area works: https://vimeo.com/456604388.

And answers to the following FAQs:

FAQs:
The parents’ area allows parents/carers to make appointments with teachers online. Parents’ evenings typically have two options, “Suggest bookings for me” and “Make bookings for myself”. The former will use a computer to pick appointment times that are the most efficient, given your availability and that of the teachers you want to see, while the latter will allow you to hand-pick appointment times one-by-one.

Q1: I can’t see any teachers?
A1: Please make your school aware. It’s possible they have forgotten to add the teachers to their parents’ evening.

Q2: I can’t see my video call button?
A2: The button which allows parents to join their video meetings is shown 15mins before the first/next appointment is due to begin.

Q3: Can i change the email or phone number linked to my Parents Booking account?
A3: You should be able to do this via the Your Profile button found on the header bar or “burger menu” (the three horizontal lines shown in mobile view). If this is not shown, you will either be required to log out and log back in again, typing in a different email/phone number, or you can contact the school and ask if they will oblige.

When you log in to the parent's area you will see a button titled 'video settings', can I ask that parents/guardians use this button to check the camera and microphone of the computer you will use for the parents evening ahead of the actual parents evening. If you have any problems, then please call the school and I will be happy to help.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

Free School Meals Reminder

1st September 2021

Good afternoon,
As we have the new term underway, I would like to remind families that they can access assistance with free school meals. Free school meals need to be re-applied for every year. Free school meals are automatically credited to the pupil account and the information will be treated confidentially. Your young person would be entitled to free school meals in the following circumstances:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an income of less than £16,105
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £7,500
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £625

The link to the application form is below: https://bit.ly/38wmkLo .

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

17th August 2021

Good afternoon,
I am pleased to inform you that Mr Gillies will be taking over as Acting Head Teacher at Sir E Scott school this term. Mr Gillies has been in Sgoil Lionacleit last week and this week to update the timetable and then he will be off to Harris. Mr Gillies will remain Acting HT until a permanent HT is appointed. Mr Downham (who was acting DHT last year) will take over Mr Gillies' role until he returns from Sir E Scott, we are very lucky to have an experienced DHT ready to backfill. I am sure you all join me in wishing Mr Gillies well as he carries on his leadership journey and support Mr Downham on his.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

10th March 2021

Good afternoon,
I would like to say a few words about assessment and evidence gathering as I am sure it is something that young people are anxious about as they return to school.

For Senior Phase pupils there will be no assessment before the Easter holidays, staff will concentrate on teaching/learning and practising answering assessment questions. The final timetable for assessment and moderation will be published as soon as possible (hopefully before the Easter holidays). The reason for the delay is because the process needs to be agreed with other secondary schools to ensure that we can moderate/cross mark evidence at a local authority level. It also allows subject networks (at local authority level) to look at adaptations to the SQA produced instrument of assessment.

What I can say with clarity is that there will be no formal exam diet with everyone in the hall.

Staff will use the SQA produced 'instrument of assessment' and adapt it as required for the needs of our young people. This instrument of assessment will be used during class time and split over several periods. This way we meet the standard of evidence required by the SQA whilst giving young people the best chance to produce quality evidence. As I have said above the exact timetable of this will be produced as soon as possible.

In addition to this we will be issuing senior phase pupils with an online learning report next week, in this report we revisit the November working grade and identify how 'secure' this grade is after the online learning period - more information on this will accompany the online learning report.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

10th March 2021

Good afternoon,
Further to my presentation on Monday, please see below a link for a Skills Development Scotland (careers advisor) video about options forms: https://youtu.be/8KP-aX8x9f8.

Please also see the link to our subject choices booklet which provides more information about subjects available in Sgoil Lionacleit: http://www.sgoillionacleit.org.uk/docs/options/sl-option-booklet-2020.pdf. More information to follow about a live event by Skills Development Scotland next week,

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

9th March 2021

Good afternoon,
As you are all aware we were asked by the First Minister to create a plan that allows young people access school 'in person' again from 15th March. As you can imagine (given the constraints) this is a complex task and planning for it will carry on until Friday. The finer detail of how it will work will be communicated on Friday via group call/website and social media.

However, to ease anxiety for young people and to allow parents/guardians to plan childcare etc. I felt it important to let young people/parents and guardians know as soon as possible what the pattern for attendance will be for the last two weeks of term. This is detailed below:

W/B 15th March
Monday - All of S1 and S2
Tuesday - All of S3
Wednesday - All of S4, S5 and S6
Thursday - All of S4, S5 and S6
Friday - All of S4, S5 and S6

W/B 22nd March
As above.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

18th February 2021

Good afternoon,
As I am sure you are aware, the Scottish Government has asked us to prepare Sgoil Lionacleit for the return of senior pupils who require to complete practical work for course assessment purposes. To make this as easy to read as possible, the timetable for the senior phase practical classes will be published separately on 19.2.21.

The guidelines for senior phase return (and our response) are listed below:

1. Social distancing should be followed on buses that are not service buses - as our school buses are all service buses this does not apply.


2. Young people should always wear masks inside the school building, including during lessons - this is a change to previous practice because we are now in tier 4.


3. Senior pupils should always maintain 2m social distancing - the theatre and canteen area will be set up to deliver 2m social distancing for senior pupils who access it. Senior pupils will also be reminded of the importance of 2m social distancing during break/lunchtime.


4. Senior pupils should use a separate entrance and exit from the key workers and vulnerable pupils accessing the HUB - senior pupils should use the theatre door to enter and exit the building, staff will be directing young people as required.


5. Senior pupils should be kept separate from young people accessing the HUB - senior pupils who are in for practical classes will use a separate entrance, workspace and canteen area as directed by staff. They will also access a separate outside space at break time and lunchtime as required.


6. Senior pupils should not have their learning disrupted by accessing practical subjects - when not in practical subjects' seniors will use the theatre as a workspace to continue to access online learning for the rest of their classes.


7. Schools should prepare timetables to allow a full day in school for senior pupils that does not disrupt learning - see above, the exception to this would be if a parent/guardian is willing to come and pick up a young person who has a study period in an afternoon etc.


8. Schools should make asymptomatic testing kits available to staff and senior pupils who are attending school - on the first day of attendance your young person will be given a pack containing all the relevant information and a consent form. When the consent form is returned, we will issue test kits and supporting paperwork.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

3rd February 2021

Good afternoon,
following the First Minister's announcement yesterday I am writing to you to reassure you that we are working on a plan that delivers what she has asked schools to do. This plan will be communicated in due course (and assuming nothing changes between now and the 22nd February). For clarity, the instructions for secondary schools are that we should bring in no more than 8% of our seniors (S4-6), to work on practical subjects. More to follow as we have it,

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

22nd January 2021

Good morning,
The First Minister announced on Monday that there will be an extension of online learning until at least mid-February. As promised, we are reviewing how online learning is going and I am pleased to say that the feedback has been very positive. S1,2 and 3 are coping well with the demands of online learning and our offer gives a breadth of experience without overloading young people.

However as expected there will need to be minor changes to the senior phase delivery (S4,5 and 6). As senior pupils follow their timetable (in the same way they would if they were in school) they are spending a lot of time every day in front of a screen in an intense learning experience. This is often followed with work in the evening/weekend on top of the classwork/delivery. This is unsustainable in the longer term (particularly for S4 who have 6 full columns) without negatively impacting young people. After many discussions with staff and the leadership team at Sgoil Lionacleit, we will trial the following approach for the next period of online learning (starting Monday 25th January) - S4,5 and 6 will not have any work set by teachers for evenings and weekends, all work set can be completed during class time.

The national advice is that teachers and young people should continue to focus on teaching and learning during this period of online learning.We are awaiting further guidance from SQA about how evidence for assessment will be gathered this year and will feed back further once this has been communicated.

Yours in partnership

Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

31st August 2020

Good afternoon,

Please see below a link to a form that will need to be completed before we can issue a laptop to your young person in S4-6. Once the form has been completed we will issue a laptop via school ICT support. The form can be completed via the link in this group-call, Website, Facebook page:

[This contract sets out the terms for the local authority(LA) lending computer hardware to pupils for educational purposes.]

Yours in partnership
Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

27th August 2020

Good morning,

The Scottish Government has issued further advice re face coverings in school, this advice has been collated by the Education and Children's Services department and is as follows:

From Monday 31st August, it will become a requirement for pupils in secondary schools in Scotland to wear face coverings. The introduction of this additional safety measure sits as part of a suite of controls and measures in place to keep pupils and staff as safe as possible in schools and we ask that parents and pupils continue to support these in the interests of all that attend school. The information below sets out how face covering requirements will be implemented in Western Isles secondary schools.

• Face coverings must be worn in all communal areas, including corridors, social areas, toilets and other non-classroom areas identified by the school where pupils may congregate.
• Face coverings are to be worn when moving between classes and at break times.
• Coverings do not need to be worn in classrooms and should be safely stored away in a bag when not being worn. They should not be left lying on surfaces or desks.
• As was already the case in the Western Isles, face coverings must also now be worn on all school transport.
• The responsibility for having a face covering rests on the individual but schools will have a supply of face coverings available if a pupil forgets to bring one, it is lost or becomes damaged.
• Exemptions will be permitted, particularly on medical grounds, and any intention to not wear a face covering must be discussed with school management and an exemption agreement sought.
• Reusable face coverings are encouraged and they should be washed regularly at a temperature of at least 60˚c.
• Singe use face coverings should be disposed of appropriately in bins provided in schools.
• There is no specification about the nature or type of covering to be used. The Scottish Government has provided this video to demonstrate how to make a simple face covering.
• Face coverings must not be shared with others.
• Refusal to wear face coverings without valid exemption will be treated in line with the schools existing discipline policy.

Yours in partnership
Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

11th August 2020

Dear parent/guardian,

Further to the group call in June (and central group calls from CNES) can I remind you that the plan this week is for S1, 4/5/6 only to come into school tomorrow 12.8.20. Thursday 13.8.20 will see all year groups return. I would also take this opportunity to point out that with the risk assessment in place that any behaviour which affects infection control will be treated very seriously.

Yours in partnership
Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit

10th August 2020

Good afternoon,

as we prepare for return to school this week there are some things we would like to share with pupils/parents and guardians as to how the school day will work:

1. Pupils should use the hand sanitiser stations at the front of the school on the way into school. New S1 pupils should then report to the Theatre (this will be signposted). Other pupils should go to their first period class when the bell goes.

2. Parents/guardians who are dropping pupils off at school should enter the main gate and proceed to the right and stop at the cones beside the buses, the pupils in the car at the front of the queue will disembark when asked to. In the interest of traffic management and safety this is the only place pupils should be dropped off by car.

3. At the start of period 1 on Wednesday and Thursday there will be reminders of the actions on this list.

4. From the theatre S1 pupils will have buddies assigned to show them around for the first few days at Sgoil Lionacleit, these buddies will take them to and collect them from class.

5. Uniform should be worn where possible - if this is not possible this week/next then please remedy the situation as soon as possible, if you would like some support with this then please contact the school office on 01870 603690. The link to buy uniform online is: schoolwearmadeeasy.com.

6. PE will be outdoors (in line with guidance from the Scottish government), where weather does not allow this PE will be classroom based.

7. At break-time S1-3 pupils should only be downstairs or outside. S4/5/6 pupils should head to their common rooms/area.

8. On Wednesday we will give S1 an extended lunchtime to come down to the canteen and be talked through the systems in place.

9. Movement between classes will be via a 1-way system that will be clearly signposted for all pupils.

10. Upon entering a class young people will be asked to sanitise hands and use a disinfectant wipe on the area they will be working.

11. Different departments will deal with jotters and materials in the way that best suits the subject - this will be communicated to pupils in class.

12. Lockers will not be in use for the duration of these changes - pupils should bring whatever materials they need for that day.

13. As a bare minimum we would expect that young people bring a pen/pencil and a calculator to school with them (these materials should not be shared). If there are any issues please get in touch and we will support in any way we can.

14. Staff will maintain a 2m distance between each other and from young people, where this is not possible staff will wear a face covering. Young people may wear face coverings at their own discretion (except on buses where it will be mandatory).

As the advice continues and evolves I may be back in touch with further updates.

I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday or Thursday,

In partnership
Gordon Young
Head Teacher
Sgoil Lionacleit