This letter was first published on 10 August 2021 - Any updates will be published below. You can read the whole letter by scrolling down or you can jump to a section.
Update 17 August - Junior School Clubs will be returning on 30th August. Senior School Sports Clubs will also return. Full communication will be issued shortly.
Jump to section
Return to School Forms / Positive Cases
Introduction
We are looking forward to opening the School to our learners on Wednesday 18 August 2021 and most of all to provide a full academic programme as possible in line with the updated guidance from the Scottish Government.
The information below provides a comprehensive set of guidance for all our learners in preparation for their return at the start of term, taking account of COVID guidance.
Our nursery will open as normal and a separate communication will be sent to all nursery parents.
We will look forward to seeing all our learners very soon.
General
In the Junior School, there will be no changes to the teaching and classroom activities. All JS classes will follow normal JS hours of 9am – 3:15pm each day.
In the Middle and Upper School, all year groups will return to their new timetable as distributed.
Health & Safety
The overall H&S (Health & Safety) measures remain in place throughout the school including one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations, all-day cleaning, staggered lunch and break times, additional ventilation and reduced movement around the school building.
Face coverings must be worn by all Middle and Upper School pupils (unless exemption in place) at all times.
Full access to our Health & Safety documentation (COVID Policy, Planning Guide and Risk Assessment) will be available in the COVID page of the school website (updated following recent changes to Government guidelines) from Monday 16 August.
Face coverings
Face coverings must be worn by all Middle and Upper pupils (unless medical exclusions apply) while within the building. Please ensure pupils come to school with additional face coverings in case of loss / breakage. Non-compliance in school will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.
Face coverings must also be worn while using school transport.
Uniform
Full uniform returns with the highest standard expected as per previous communication.
As regards PE, pupils should come to school wearing PE Kit for timetabled classes. Changing rooms will remain closed for the majority of classes.
As regards certificate PE National 5 classes, pupils should only wear PE kit where practical lessons are timetabled.
As regards Higher PE, due to small numbers, changing facilities will be available for practical certificate classes and as such should come to school in full uniform.
Lunches
The full service of school lunches will be operating but with pupils having staggered lunch breaks.
All pupils should continue to come to school with an adequate supply of water as water dispensers cannot generally be used.
Bus
Pupils should continue to wear face coverings when using school transport and remain in their allocated seat.
If you do not normally use bus transport but would like to do so, please contact - [email protected].
Timings of School day
Junior School pupils will start lessons at 9am each day. Junior pupils should enter the building via the rear playground entrance. If pupils are late, they should enter through the main entrance.
Middle and Upper School lessons commence at 9am each day. Transitus should enter the building by the rear playground entrance. Other Middle and Upper School pupils should enter via the side entrance. If pupils are late, they should enter through the main entrance.
Where S5 and S6 arrive at school during the day, they should enter through the main entrance and use the QR Code to register.
Junior Pupils will be exiting at 3.15pm each day. The pick-up procedures are as follows -
J1 – side entrance
J2 and J3 - at top of stairs in carpark
J4, J5 and J6 - in carpark (J6 will exit at 3.30 pm on Wednesdays)
Transitus pickup times as per timetable
Senior Pupils will be released at the end of the day as follows -
S1 & S2 – 3.40 pm
S3 & S6– 3.45 pm
Car Parking
Please continue to regard the carpark as a strict drop-off / pick-up zone. Only J1 – J4 parents should exit their cars to accompany or pick up pupils as noted above. Where possible, parents should remain in their cars. If parents leave their cars, face coverings must be worn. There should be no socialising in the car park.
Where you have a child(ren) in both Junior and Middle and Upper school or use the bus, supervision remains in place for the Junior school pupils until the Senior School exit times as above. In this respect, if this applies to you and your arrangements have altered since session, please contact [email protected]
The Junior pupils will be led to the carpark at the appropriate time by a member of staff. Please therefore, arrive at school for the time appropriate to the Senior pupil in the family.
Return to School Form/Positive Cases
Return to School forms will be distributed on Monday 16th for return by Wednesday 18th at 9am at the latest.
Under updated guidance, where a pupil (under 18 years old) displays COVID symptoms they must NOT come to school but arrange for a PCR test. They should self-isolate until the results of that test are known. If the pupil tests negative, they can return to school and if it is positive, they should self-isolate as per instructions from the Track & Trace / HP team.
Where a member of the same household or a close contact tests positive, a PCR test should also be arranged. The guidance on self-isolation in these circumstances has changed, meaning that if the PCR test is negative and symptoms are not being presented, the pupil CAN return to school (even if someone in the same household tests positive).
Please do let the school know where a child is awaiting the results of a PCR test and the outcome.
Please comply with all Government guidelines in this respect.
Lateral Flow Testing
Kits are now available in school for pupils. If these are required, please complete the consent form, print off and return school. Top-up kits are available from the school. Pupils should make the request directly to [email protected].
Where these tests are used, pupils must comply with instructions following a positive or void result.
The Government is encouraging twice weekly home testing.
Aftercare
Aftercare for J1 – Transitus is available as normal.
Library Supervision for Senior Pupils is available during this phase until 5pm each day.
Junior School Clubs will be returning on 30th August. Senior School Sports Clubs will also return. Full communication will be issued shortly.
These new procedures will be reviewed and where necessary amended, as we move through this next stage of our phased return. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Many thanks indeed for your continued support and understanding.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
Senior Leadership Team
Hamilton College
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "From the Desk of the Headteacher - 2023/24 - Issue 5")
