Alterations to our Phased Return Hamilton

September 3rd 2020

Good morning

Many thanks indeed for your feedback on the Hamilton College COVID-19 precautions.

As a background to our Phased Return to School, we highlighted that this would be a journey and until we were able to complete a full return to school with no COVID related restrictions there would be a need for further adaptions and continued patience.

Having reviewed your responses together with current Government guidelines we are therefore making some alterations to our Phased Return. Given the feedback received, we are now working on the logistics of putting the adjustments detailed below in place. These may come in a phased approach but will be completed by the September weekend (uniform and lunch from the September weekend). However, the relaxations will only happen where we are comfortable with the impact of these changes at that time. The landscape is changing daily, and we must be aware that any relaxation may have to be reversed if our assessment of the risk means that the altered provision is no longer viable. We very much appreciate your understanding in this respect.

The following alterations to our Phased Return are as follows -

Nursery
There will be no change to the current Nursery set-up other than as regards lunches – see below.

Junior School
There will be no change to the current Junior School set-up other than as regards lunches and uniform – see below. J1 - J4 families have already received communication as regards pick-up procedures and we would ask for your co-operation in this respect to ensure that our parents feel safe in the school grounds.

As previously intimated, there will be no wider-curricular clubs at this time due to the need to maintain year-group bubbles.

Senior School
In the Senior School we will be relaxing the “in-class” 2m social distancing between pupils. This means that we can return to a more traditional timetable (8 x 40 minute periods) which should improve the educational experience of the pupils. Year group bubbles will however be maintained as will the wearing of masks in corridors and in communal areas.

General School Arrangements
There will be no return to mixed year-group activities such as assemblies and wider-curricular clubs.

The staggered exit times will continue in both the Junior and Senior school. Please remember to comply with 2m social distancing in the car-park and that where possible, only one adult should attend drop-off and pick-up.

The one-way system remains in operation as does our provision of hand sanitiser and additional cleaning staff.

The wearing of masks will continue in all corridors and communal areas for the staff, Senior pupils and for those pupils in the Junior School who wish to do so.

All staff will continue to maintain social distancing with each other and the pupils (as appropriate depending on year-group stage). In the upper year groups, where this is not possible within a classroom setting, masks will be worn.

Please remember the changes to the dates of the October break this session being 12th to 23rd October.

Lunches and Breaks
Lunches and breaks will remain on a staggered basis and within separated year group bubbles. With social distancing being relaxed in the Senior School, all pupils can return to using the dining hall. There will be no social distancing in the lunch hall (as with all classrooms) but year group bubbles will be maintained.

We will return to a hot meal provision after the September weekend. However, to allow for a speedier service (to maintain year group bubbles) there will be a limited menu likely to include –

- Soup and rolls
- Baked potatoes and fillings
- Hot meal option (GF and V alternatives) with sides
- Dessert / yoghurt / snack

Unfortunately, we cannot offer the self-service salad and snack bar. Alternatives will however be available together with a full selection of sandwiches, wraps and baguettes.

Under this system the pre-ordering of meals will not be necessary.

Uniform
Pupils can return to school uniform after the September weekend except on days where they have PE, when PE kit should be worn to school (under school guidelines changing rooms cannot be used). We are aware that some parents will not yet have had the opportunity to purchase any required new items. So we are happy for this to be a phased return with full uniform for all as from the October break. There will be no return to swimming at this time.

SQA Update
We still await the updated SQA information (content, structure, contingencies and dates) for the 2020/21 exam diet but will update parents as soon as this is received.

Sports Clubs and Teams
Restrictions continue as regards our ability to provide sports coaching. (The school guidelines in this respect do not match the community guidelines.) However, the PE department will be offering a Senior School fitness “boot camp” club from the September weekend. The department will communicate directly with parents in this respect. If a child attends this club they should come to school wearing their PE kit as the changing rooms will not be operational.

Senior School Study Sessions
Given, the proposed relaxation as regards social distancing, study clubs will commence as in other years, from the October break. There will be direct communication from teachers in this respect.

Overall Precautions
There will be no relaxation in our overall approach to the COVID situation. Our COVID Officer does and will continue to carry out daily checks and update our risk assessments accordingly. Our COVID Working Group continues to challenge and check our approach and we comply with all Government guidelines.

The welfare of our young people in its widest sense – balancing physical health, mental well-being and learning – is a corporate and community responsibility. The priority of Hamilton College throughout this pandemic has been to keep its Family Community safe, considered and well-informed. The result has been a calm and reserved return to in-school teaching and learning. Our pupils and staff have been incredible since our return in August, showing a real willingness to adapt to our new environment as well as sincere compassion towards many who have been directly impacted by this virus. We want to thank our whole family for their continued support and understanding at this time. It is only with school and parental reinforcement of precautions that we can avoid jeopardising the safety of the school environment as well as its larger Family Community.

We find your feedback incredibly useful, please let us know if you have any concerns around these proposals.

Kind regards