Dear Parent/Guardian
As we move into the last weeks of our summer term I hope this finds you and yours well. I write to highlight some key information for parents of pupils in Years 8-11 and Year 13.
In terms of our reporting system we will provide as usual a report at the end of the summer term for pupils in Years 8 to 11. We issued a report for pupils in Year 13 after their examinations earlier in the Spring Term.
This year, our reports for Years 8-11 will focus on the pupils’ engagement with their on-line learning tasks in their subjects since lockdown began. We will not be issuing subject grades as there have not been any formal assessments. Please be assured too, that staff, in writing their comments, will take account of factors which may have influenced individual pupils’ engagement with their learning over the past weeks. We recognise that we have all been adjusting to a very new situation, pupils, staff and parents alike: however we are also very aware that there has been a huge amount of productive and creative work completed by our pupils and we feel it is very important that we acknowledge this through our reporting system. We also continue to showcase examples of excellent work on a weekly basis in our celebration gallery on our app and website.
As we reflect on our learning and teaching over the past few months we are also keen to capture our pupils’ views and your views as parents as to what worked well and where we could improve. We are currently designing online surveys which will go live on our website on Monday 22 June. We encourage you to look out for these and to give us your valuable and valued feedback.
This feedback will help to inform our planning for the “new normal” in September where it is likely that our pupils will be involved in a blended approach to learning, involving both on-line learning and face to face contact. As can be seen in our celebration gallery staff are developing an increased range of strategies to promote pupil engagement and learning. We will keep in touch with you over the coming weeks as our plans for the new term develop in light of emerging guidance from the Department of Education and the Education Authority, including information on transport and catering provision.
Staff will not be setting any new tasks for pupils after Friday 19th June: we see the remainder of term time as consolidation time for pupils to catch up on any outstanding tasks and to complete the on line questionnaires on their learning experiences.
We also look forward to a rich range of extra-curricular activities in which our pupils are involved over the next couple of weeks. Listen in to the Junior Drama Club’s first episode of their virtual play ‘Erne Emergency’ to be aired on the school website and App on Monday 15th June. Our House rivalry will no doubt be much to the fore in our Virtual Sports Day, also due to take place next week also and we eagerly await the outcome of the hotly contested House Baking and Photography competitions!
With warmest best wishes
Elizabeth Armstrong
Principal
