Dear Parents
We are looking forward to welcoming J4 - J7 pupils back in school from Monday 15th March as per yesterday's announcement from the First Minister. Please see below list of important notes for all Junior School pupils.
Times
School will be open from 8am. We are still following government guidance for children to be in school for as short as time as possible. If you are able to arrive closer to 8:45, this would be beneficial.
Lessons will start at 9am and children will be dismissed at 3:15pm. Children should enter the playground via the green gates upon arrival. If they arrive at 9am or later, they will need to go to the main entrance to be registered.
Regarding dismissals, we now ask that J2 parents wait at the top carpark instead of coming down to the main entrance as of Monday 8th March. From the 15th, J4 need to be collected at the green gate. J5 - J7 will be accompanied to the top car park as per usual arrangements. Please ensure only one adult collects children, remains 2m apart from others and wears a face covering.
Parents Evening
Parents Evening will take an online format on Thursday 18th March. Bookings will be open from 7.00pm tonight and will close at 9am on 18 March. Access is via the link here, through the 'Links' menu of the Parent portal or from within the 'Current Families' section of our Hamilton College website. Whilst the process is very simple, I have attached a short guide on how to add appointments and how to access the system on the 18th. Appointments are of 10 minutes duration and will terminate automatically at culmination, allowing the next appointment to proceed on time.
If you have difficulties navigating the booking system, please phone the office or email [email protected]
Please note, if you have a child in our Nursery, you will receive a separate email shortly with information regarding their appointments.
Food
Hot lunches in the dining hall will resume as normal. Please ensure your child continues to bring a healthy snack and filled water bottle each day. Fridays remain treat days.
Uniform
We revert back to Term 1 guidelines. Please ensure your child brings their blue school waterproof jacket each day and are dressed warmly. Outdoor learning remains one of our priorities.
Equipment
All children should have all stationery needs as per Equipment List in Handbook (see Teams for information), which is to be left at school each day.
Aftercare
Aftercare will resume from Monday 15th March. If you would like to access this service, please complete this booking form regardless of any earlier bookings.
COVID specifics
Risk assessments have been updated and procedures put in place to highlight importance of hygiene to pupils. Classrooms remain ventilated and purged across lunch breaks. Staff continue to physical distance from each other and wear face coverings at various times across the day. Pupils will continue to be encouraged to keep their hands and feet to themselves; they will not be sharing equipment. Classrooms and other areas are regularly cleaned across the day.
Other whole school arrangements such as bus transport will be communicated later this week.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Mrs Jenny Paterson
Head of Junior School and Nursery
Hamilton College
