Vol 25 No 21     01 May 2020

Message from the Principal

I am writing to highlight the extraordinary efforts being made by all members of the school community in response to the challenging circumstances being experienced across the education sector at the moment.

It is striking to observe how pupils have adapted to the practices of digital teaching and learning with real efficiency. I do not underestimate the difficulties of working independently at home without the direct support and encouragement of teachers and peers alike. However, the advice offered by pupils to one another has already proved its worth: staying in a daily routine, following the school timetable, and taking regular breaks for food and exercise is having the desired effect. I commend the robust determination of our pupils in dealing with this unexpected situation and extend my gratitude to them directly.

It has been an equally challenging time for parents and guardians. You have been required to combine personal and professional duties in a domestic setting at short notice and for an indeterminate period. Your expressions of support and encouragement for teachers working under similar circumstances have been warmly received and greatly appreciated by my colleagues. You may be assured that teaching and learning as well as pastoral care will be maintained and enhanced during term. However, I am sure you also understand the ongoing necessity for parents to encourage pupils by monitoring their responses to work set by teachers whilst simultaneously making every effort to support their physical and emotional wellbeing. This will not always be a simple or straightforward process. However, your role in achieving these positive outcomes will be vital to all concerned in the coming weeks and months.

I am enormously proud of the remarkable contribution being made by my colleagues. They have worked tirelessly in difficult conditions to protect and preserve teaching and learning whilst continuing to extend expert pastoral guidance to the pupils entrusted to our care. We are very fortunate to have colleagues at The High School who have responded to this task with cheerful resolve and immense goodwill. I have been consistently impressed by their commitment and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence in the current situation. I remain indebted to them for everything they have done and will continue to do in the future.

It is important to be realistic about the range of challenges faced by pupils, parents, and teachers in practising digital education in this context for an extended period of time. It may be helpful to review the general feedback which has emphasized that the following approaches have been broadly effective to date:

1. The use of a single platform for distance learning - specifically, MS Teams - is strongly recommended.
2. The use of the existing timetable to maintain a daily routine with regular breaks is strongly recommended.
3. The use of live chat, audio, and/or audio-visual to promote engagement and effective communication is suggested.
4. A reduction in the volume of classwork and homework set and completed within individual lessons is suggested.
5. The use of existing academic and pastoral systems and structures to support and encourage pupils is strongly recommended.
 

We have divided the Summer Term into three blocks as follows:

20th April-1st May
We will use distance teaching and learning methodologies to set classwork, homework, projects, and assignments; a number of Form 2 pupils will complete CBAs during this time.
5th-15th May
We will continue to use distance teaching and learning methodologies to set classwork, homework, projects, and assignments; a number of Form 2 pupils will complete CBAs during this time.
18th-29th May
We have brought examinations for Forms 1, 2, 4, and 5 forward by one week to allow time for assessment and reporting.

It is important to note that the nature and content of examinations, assessments, and reporting will vary according to year group and subject. The term will conclude with an activity week which will incorporate a wide range of extra-curricular events.

The High School remains a vibrant, dynamic, innovative, progressive, and highly successful educational community. I am very grateful for the remarkable contribution made by all sections of the school community. We will continue to monitor and report developments during the Summer Term with interest. You should be assured that we will continue to reflect on and respond to circumstances as they arise. In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity to renew my warmest appreciation for everything that been achieved to date and to wish you well for the remainder of the Summer Term.

Mr G A Forrest
Principal

Staying Safe Staying Home

Current and past pupils came together to make this video and to share this simple yet important message.  As we approach the May Bank Holiday weekend we urge all of our pupils to support the frontline services and to stay at home.  
#stayinghome

Isolation 2020

A few weeks into quarantine  pupils from different form groups at The High School put together an album called Isolation 2020 on Soundcloud.  We decided to do this to express what it is like to live in quarantine through music and to accomplish something creatively as a group. A number of pupils produced music on their own while others collaborated online using digital technology.  Even parents were recruited to lend a helping hand, so it became an activity engaging for all the family.  Past pupils were also asked to participate and happily donated recordings.  It was a lot of fun to create and it allowed us to feel a sense of achievement and togetherness while at home.  There is an ecclectic mix of musical styles making it truly unique recording.  We are very happy with the result and hope that you will enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.  It is free to listen here on Soundcloud!
Leah McGrath

Past Pupils on the Frontline

We should like to express our support for all our past pupils and members of the school community who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic on the frontlines. The photo above is of student nurse Catherine Neenan (HSD, 2009-16) on the right, with a colleague.  We hope everyone stays safe and well as they face the difficult times ahead. 

Learning at Home

Pupils studying Home Economics have been cooking from home during the pandemic.  As you can see from this short video, they have been maintaining and developing their skills, preparing meals and helping to make dinner for their families.  There is always a silver lining if you look for one!

Mental Health Week at HSD

We are really looking forward to Mental Health Week which is jam-packed with activities for pupils to enjoy:

• Tuesday: is all about staying active. There will be Instagram videos and home workouts by our Yoga and Strength and Conditioning teachers with challenges to be done at home with the family (and even a talent show).
• Wednesday: will have a Minecraft competition and a Bake-off where pupils will be sending in images of their best creations! 
• Thursday: is all about De-stressing with more yoga, mindfulness videos and colouring pictures, a list of de-stress books and movies for the family, and even a recipe for a home-made facial!
• Friday: is about Reaching-out and Checking-in! There will be an art competition and a “re-create an old family photograph” competition amongst many other things.

There is also a Spotify play-list 'HSD Mental Health Week' that you might like to listen to. 

Mr P McCaughey

Assessment Timetable