Dear Parents and Carers,

The priority of this week’s update is to remind everyone that we are currently facing a very challenging time in regards to COVID in Highland Schools.  You are aware that our own school has been affected this week and we endeavour to keep you as informed as possible.  As a school, our first port of call with any suspected cases is the Highland Health Protection Team.  Once we have passed over to them, we take all of our actions at their guidance.  As you can appreciate, they are completely inundated at the moment, however, our guidance is very clear that we cannot proceed with advice or actions that have not been approved by them.  I appreciate that the current spike of cases in general and particularly in our local area, causes concern.  Please be reassured that we share those concerns and are following our protocols entirely in our responses to this.

We thank you for your ongoing cooperation in adhering to both the school risk assessments and the national advice.  The Highland Council, this week, issued the following reminder which includes information about wider symptoms;

As well as being vigilant for symptoms, families and school pupils and staff are advised to remain cautious and continue to take all necessary precautions as directed by NHS.

• Wear face masks (unless exempt)
• Regular handwashing
• Testing using LFD tests when you have no symptoms, twice weekly is recommended

No one should attend school if they are experiencing symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms are typically:

• A new continuous cough
• High temperature or fever
• Loss or change in taste or smell

People with COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints and tiredness, sore throat, cold like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting. Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.

The full statement can be found at https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/13899/localised_covid-19_outbreaks_affecting_many_schools_across_highland

Emergency Contact Forms

Update forms were issued to all pupils earlier this week and we ask for these to be returned with any corrections as soon as possible.  At any point in the year, should your contact details change, please notify us so that our records can be kept up to date.

Flu Vaccination Forms

The annual flu vaccination programme in schools will soon be getting under way and pupils have been sent home with consent forms this week.  The school nursing team will be collecting these from the office next week and we would appreciate having them back as soon as possible.

Crossing Patrol

We continue to have staff shortages for Crossing Patrol and are now always able to ensure that these location are manned. We ask that you continue to use vigilance and extra caution at all crossings.  A huge thank you to Simon Fraser who volunteered to help us out this week at the Home Farm Crossing – this have been a tremendous help and is very much appreciated by the entire school community!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Regards,

Sara