Life @ EA
Rector’s Blog
17 September 2020
Dear Parent / Guardian
Ever since John Milton coined the phrase ‘silver lining’ as far back as the 1630s, optimistic people have been looking for them when confronted by the dark clouds of difficult days. I think it is fair to say that we’ve certainly needed those silver linings in the last few months, as we have all come to terms with the impacts of Covid-19. We have all learned an enormous amount about ourselves and each other, about new ways of doing things and about having to change from our usual traditions and practices and trying something new. I remain in awe of our teaching staff who have had to adapt to so many new ways of delivering their teaching and having to cope with an ever-changing national educational picture. From visiting music teachers who have to contend with restrictions that prevent them from moving between different schools, to limitations on indoor sporting activities, the much-needed use of facemasks, cleaning protocols for hockey balls – the list sometimes seems endless. As Mr. Murray’s email to 3rds’ Parents will highlight, we are busy planning Virtual Parents’ Evenings, have just filmed a Virtual Open Day and every day our students and staff are becoming more adept at new ways of learning. Unfortunately, there is not always a silver lining! We learned today from the Deputy First Minister that he wishes to delay any SQA announcements in regard to changes in the National Curriculum course content (Nat 5–Advanced Higher) until the Priestley Review report on the 2020 summer exams is released. It seems strange that some four weeks after the start of the new academic year, the Government and the SQA have still not decided what it is that schools should be teaching, but here we are – looking for the silver linings.
A significant ‘silver lining’ from Covid will be the opening up of the Yards into Donaldson’s, which should begin in the next three weeks. It has been much talked about finally to unite the two sides of the Senior School campus to something more significant than the ‘Hole in the Wall’ but this is now happening, spurred on by the need to have a larger space through which our students can transition around the campus in these times of Covid. Preparation work for creating a new classroom to replace Classroom 19 is already underway but this will be a significant improvement in the flow of our students around the school site. My thanks to the whole team who have managed to get this redevelopment going forward, but please do spare a thought to Mr Shanks, who is having to say goodbye to his much-loved classroom!
A great improvement this week also has been the return of our students to full school uniform and a return to Year Group assemblies happening in their Year Group Bubbles. This has meant that students need to be at school by 8.30am now, in order to attend registration and their assemblies. While the more relaxed start to school this term was probably necessary, it is wonderful to have our students looking smart and representing the school properly. Next week we will begin asking students who continue to dress inappropriately to remain at home until such time as they have a uniform that is appropriate. I hope this will quickly bring any stragglers back up to the standards that we aspire to.
As another week nears an end, I would like to update you all on our procedures and processes going forward for sport. As we get back into a full programme of games at New Field, it is important that we put in place the following protocol, especially in light of the recent Government restrictions surrounding groups of up to 6 from no more than 2 households meeting at a time. To prevent the need for impossible policing, parents and families are not permitted to stay and spectate at any sporting session at New Field until further notice. Parents are welcome to drop off and pick up only, as we need to limit the groups of adults meeting at our sporting practices/games. Unless the Government changes this current level of restriction, this protocol will continue even when we return to inter-school matches. I know this will be a huge disappointment to many parents who look forward, as do I, to a Saturday on New Field but until further notice it will be only EA Staff who are allowed to be on New Field with our students during sport.
Best wishes,
Barry Welsh
Rector
