Parental Information Update

Friday 14th August 2020

Re-Opening Penicuik High School Session 2020-21

This update outlines information on the new school day Timetable for all levels S1-3 and S4-6 as from Monday 17 August, 2020 when all students are expected to attend Penicuik High School full time. This adapted timetable will allow all students to experience their full curriculum entitlement as we reconnect and recover learning.

Key Points at a glance

• S1-3 students will start as normal at 8:30 am and MUST enter by the assigned entry door and sanitise hands before going to registration classes.
• S4-6 students will start at 8:40 am and will go straight to period 1 classes where they will be registered and school information via the normal school bulletin will be shared.
• The staggered start times will prevent bottlenecks and enable better social distancing.
• During the day the S1-3 will have a different break and lunchtime from senior students in S4-6. This will support supervision of the indoor lunch spaces assigned and enable social distancing. Please refer to the Timetable below.

Monday – Thursday S1-3		Monday – Thursday S4-6
Registration	8.30 – 8.40 am	Registration	None
Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am	Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am	Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am
Period 3	10.20 – 11.10 am	Interval	10.20 – 10.35 am
Interval	11.10 – 11.25 am	Period 3	10.35 – 11.25 am
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm	Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm
Period 5	12.15 – 1.05 pm	Lunch	12.15 – 1.00 pm
Lunch	1.05 – 1.50 pm	Period 5	1.00 – 1.50 pm
Period 6	1.50 – 2.40pm	Period 6	1.50 – 2.40pm
Period 7	2.40 – 3.30 pm	Period 7	2.40 – 3.30 pm

 

Friday S1-3		Friday S4-6
Registration	8.30 – 8.40 am	Registration	None
Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am	Period 1	8.40 – 9.30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am	Period 2	9.30 – 10.20 am
Interval	10.20 – 10.35 am	Period 3	10.20 – 11.10 am
Period 3	10.35 – 11.25 pm	Interval	11.10 – 11.25 pm
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm	Period 4	11.25 – 12.15 pm
School closes		School close

 
Health and Safety Update

The last parent communication on Tuesday 11 August laid out our health and safety protocols to enable safe opening of schools.

Some Reminders

• All students need to bring a packed lunch and a drink. No food service is available at the moment. Water is available in school.
• Students from S1-6 have clear supervised venues to go to for lunch and breaks when the weather is poor and students have been told this. If the weather is fine    then they will be encouraged to go outside where they will also be supervised.
• Students may go home for lunch. Please confirm this arrangement in writing to the school. There is clarification for parents in receipt of a free school meal allowance on our website, see HERE
• It is strongly suggested no student goes out to food shops at lunchtime. S1 MUST stay in school at lunchtime all session. No students are allowed to leave at break time. If they do enter a shop they must wear masks (unless they have a medical reason)  and not congregate in or around any premises.  Shops know our break times and will call the school if they have concerns. Police will be making safety checks.
• School bags are allowed. Suggested equipment to bring to school was outlined on Wednesday morning – please see website
• Students must observe social distancing in all interactions with staff. This includes all movements within corridors, around teacher’s desks and in using the one way    system and must not walk to classes in such a way that brings them into close contact with staff.
• We do encourage and support students wearing facemasks in school – particularly those in S5/6 as scientific evidence about the risk of them spreading infection is less  clear than for younger students
• Students MUST not run in corridors
• PE arrangements have been sent home to parents

We are aware that some rules that are in place will create inconvenience and you will not necessarily agree with all of them. Our safety protocols are in line with current health advice and the Scottish Governments Guidelines for reopening schools. The Penicuik High Schools current Risk Assessment document will be placed on our website early next week. This a dynamic document that will be updated in the face of new advice or analysis of issues arising in school.

 

If you have any queries please email the school office penicuik_hs@mgfl.net

 

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

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