Council responds to Government lock-down

In light of the UK and Scottish Government’s decision tonight to begin a three-week lock-down in order to delay the spread of the Coronavirus, the Highland Council has taken the decision to cancel the provision of school meals tomorrow. The current format of provision would involve staff and children gathering at school premises and this would go against national advice and directives.

The Council’s Strategic Group will consider the announcement first thing tomorrow morning and the implications this will have for the delivery of essential services and the provision of welfare and humanitarian aid in a way that complies with the Government’s directive and protects life and our NHS services.

More information will be issued once this important step has been discussed with our Local and Regional Resilience Partners.

Reading

In these uncertain times a lot of comfort can be found through reading. Pupils, parents and teachers can all benefit! With the libraries closed, remember that the library service has on-line resources where you can access comics, graphic novels, newspapers, magazines, e-books and audiobooks and download apps to read in or listen with: https://www.highlifehighland.com/libraries/

Most need your library PIN, which you can reset on the library website.

Covid 19 school update – 22/03/20

Dear Parent/Guardian,
We have been given additional information from the First Minister regarding our senior phase students in schools, emphasising the need to close schools to minimise the spread of Coronavirus. As a result of today’s announcement, please note that no student should be in school next week for catch ups/coursework etc. Planning and being in contact with people should only be for essentials and responsible social distancing should be in place. Teachers will be in touch with pupils regarding coursework.

“Grab and Go” packed meals have been organised to be collected from Secondary schools on Monday 23 March, between 11.00am and 2.00pm.

Yours faithfully

Tom Magowan
Acting Head Teacher

Coping Calendar

The charity Action for Happiness have created this 30 point calendar to help us look after ourselves and each other.

Google Classroom Parent/Guardian Email Updates

We are in the process of adding S1 parent/guardian emails to Google Classroom. Please accept the invitation in your email.  You will then receive daily/weekly updates on work, deadlines and announcements posted in Classroom for your child.

If your son/daughter is in a different year and you do not have a Guardian email set up, please ask your son/daughter to email me at dugal.mccrow@grantowngrammar.org.uk with your email address via their school Gmail.  There are a few parents who were invited in past sessions, but perhaps there was a typo in the email or you missed the invitation in your junk mail.

There are a couple of parents in S1 who have not provided an email to the school. Again, please ask your son/daughter to email me with it.

Useful contacts for help and advice

Image result for mental health signposting

Helplines

Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 (free)

Childline Freephone 24 hour helpline 0800 1111

The Mix Freephone – 0808 808 4994 (16.00 – 23.00 daily)?

Mikey’s line – 07779 303 303

Samaritans – 116 123 (free)

NHS 24 – 111

Websites

www.annafreud.org/children-young-people/youth-wellbeing

www.anxiety.org.uk

www.bumps2bairns.com/school-age/worries-and-anxieties

www.bumps2bairns.com/school-age/examstress

www.childline.org.uk

www.mentalhealth.org.uk

www.mind.org.uk

www.teenmentalhealth.org

www.mikeysline.co.uk

www.themix.org.uk

www.handsonscotland.co.uk

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.youthbeyondblue.com

Apps

Search in the app store for teen well-being or mindfulness apps.

Headspace

MINDSHIFT CBT

Moodjuice

SAM: Self help for anxiety management

Youper

Prevent Suicide Highland

If you like computer games you could try http://www.superbetter.com

EMA Update 19th March 2020

For those who are in receipt of EMA the following Guidance has been provided by the Highland Council:

‘Those young people who are in receipt of EMA and who are unable to meet their agreed attendance requirements either through self-isolating, contracting the virus or through the learning institution being closed will continue to receive their EMA payment.’

This means that all pupils should continue to receive their EMA payments.