General information

The information below echoes the information we have given to pupils (which is on the pupil page). The information will also be placed on our website at www.meldrumcademy.com and we will endeavour to update our school twitter where possible. You can follow us @Meldrumaca.

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The following websites will provide up to date helpful information with regards to Coronavirus:

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• NHS inform: Coronavirus

• Scottish Government: Coronavirus in Scotland

• UK government latest advice

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This is an uncertain and challenging time for all our school community and our young people, no matter what their age, have many questions and concerns about the Coronavirus. Here is a useful resource to help support you to answer your child's questions and address their concerns. This also includes strategies to help manage any anxiety your child may be feeling. Talking to your child about the Coronavirus.

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With regards to learning and teaching we have outlined to pupils that it is their responsibility to endeavour to continue with their education where possible. The following information may prove helpful for parents supporting pupils.

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Distance/Online learning

From Monday 27th April we are reviewing the manner in which we set work for specific year groups. Information on how this work will be set is available by clicking the links below:

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My child is currently in S1 or S2 - Click here

My child is currently in S3 - Click here

My child is currently in S4/5/6 - Click here 

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General comments: 

 

• Work will be put onto Show My Homework and should be accessed where possible. This page helps with how to access Show My Homework - https://help.teamsatchel.com/en/

 

• Most work will take place via TEAMS in GLOW. It is important pupils know their GLOW password and if they do not, they can change this using the ‘forgotten your password’ link on the Glow login page. Glow can be accessed on a mobile device or on a desktop/laptop/Chromebook if you have this available. If not, please let your child’s guidance teacher know and other work can be provided. Click here to log into Glow - https://glow.rmunify.com/ 

• For more information about how to use Teams and other aspects of Glow, please watch our series of Help Videos by clicking here.

 

• There are other applications different faculties use that pupils may be guided to, for example MyMaths - https://www.mymaths.co.uk/, Language nut - https://www.languagenut.com/en-gb/ and e-chalk https://www.echalk.co.uk/. This will be subject specific and will be outlined in either Teams or Show My Homework.

 

• If you wish for your child to complete some learning on their own, sites such as https://ed.ted.com/ are fantastic and can benefit learning greatly. 

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• My World of Work (www.myworldofwork.co.uk) continues to be available to pupils and teachers. Pupils will be able to access their My Wow account from home and will have the ‘To-Do-List’ on their account overview to remind them of the activities they can be completing.

 

• Pupils in S4-6 can access Scholar - https://scholar.hw.ac.uk/. Scholar has excellent resources for the following courses and we thoroughly recommend:

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Accessing Microsoft from home

There are a few ways pupils can access Microsoft from home:

• On a personal device. Using the app store (or equivalent) download Microsoft products that may be needed (Teams for example) and sign into it using GLOW details.

• Go to Glow via a browser (chrome/edge/safari etc) and access the necessary applications.

• Download the applications for free from Glow. This link explains how to do this. 

 

SQA Examinations (S4-6)             

The SQA have announced that exams will be cancelled. This short video shows the announcement. When we have more information we will share it with you. This link is the most up to date information: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/93598.html 

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Pupil Support 

We would like to reassure you that we will do all we can to address any pastoral care concerns and provide pupil support during our School closure. Please find below information outlining the procedures for this.

 

Pastoral Care Teachers

 

• Our Pastoral Care Teachers will be available to address any concerns via email and will get back to you as soon as possible. If appropriate, they will arrange a direct phone call with you

• Please note – in the first instance, for all questions regarding learning and teaching issues please encourage your child to contact their class teacher through TEAMS

 

Additional Support for Learning (ASL)

 

• For advice, information, resources and/or support regarding any aspect of additional support for learning please email our PT ASL Kathryn Michie

 

Pupil Support Worker

 

• Our Pupil Support Worker will be available via email to provide information, advice and support on all aspects of emotional, social and behavioural health

 

 

 

Contact details

 

PT ASL

Kathryn Michie

Kathryn.michie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Pupil Support Worker

Julie Emslie

Julie.emslie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Bruce House

PT PC- Jane Allan

Jane.allan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Telford House

PT PC – Vivienne Blevins

Vivienne.blevins@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Glennie House

PT PC – Karen MacLeod

Karen.macleod@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Wallace House

PT PC – Robyn Walker

Robyn.walker2@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Slessor House

PT PC – Alison Fitzgerald

Alison.fitzgerald@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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Contacting staff

The manner which we have advised staff to be in contact with pupils is via Microsoft Teams in the first instance and then glow emails as a backup. Pupils can contact via Teams in a class channel, and we advise using the @tag function to notify the teacher of a question.

 

If you have further queries, please contact your child’s / children's Pastoral care teacher.

 

Skills Development Scotland

Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the closure of the school, Skills Development Scotland cannot deliver career services face to face, but they are still there to help. Your child can contact their school Careers Advisers, Alison Muir or Kirsty Hannon for career information, advice and guidance at Alison.muir@sds.co.uk or Kirsty.hannon@sds.co.uk, or visit www.myworldofwork.co.uk  You can also still access their career services.

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Call your local centre to speak to one of our qualified advisers.

Find your nearest centre at www.myworldofwork.co.uk/centres  You can also find their services for parents/carers online at www.myworldofwork.co.uk and www.mykidscareer.com.

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Pupils attending NESCOL school links courses

The following information has been passed on to all pupils attending college:

• All College pupils will not attend, and pupils will need to keep track of this themselves. This applies to S4-S6 pupils.

 

Tips and advice

Please, where possible, encourage and support your child's/children's work, including: 

• Finding an appropriate place to work.

• Checking that set work is completed by the end of each day.

• Ensuring that the normal school subjects for the day are followed, where possible.

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Health and wellbeing

We have provided pupils with the following information to look after their Health and Wellbeing whilst at home. The following will help with this:

 

• NHS Change 4 Life website

  • https://www.nhs.uk/change4life - This website has information about healthy eating and healthy habits to consider whilst off school.

 

• Daily routine

Try where possible to keep a routine in line with the school day. If staff are able to work, they will try to do so in school time, and therefore may to be able to answer queries outside of that time. The following advice may be worth your consideration:

• Identify a comfortable and quiet place to learn. 

• Be proactive and engaged in your learning. 

• Review class posts on Show My Homework or Microsoft Teams regularly.

• Complete any tasks set on Show My Homework or Microsoft teams.

• Contact your class teacher via the Team if you have queries regarding the work.

• Ensure to either submit / mark as done / turn in documents on Classwork posts to mark that you have completed them.

• Complete all work with academic honesty (do not plagiarise).

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As Parents/Carers it is vital that we look after our own emotional health and well being too. The ever changing situation can make this very challenging - there are a number of sources of support and advice available . We have highlighted a few below.

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• Coronavirus and your mental well being- SAMH (Scotland's National Mental Health Charity)

• How to look after your mental health during a time of uncertainty

• Coronavirus: how to protect your mental health 

• NHS Inform Healthy Living  - find out what you can do to look after your physical and mental well-being

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​Online safety

Pupils have also been provided with guidance on how to stay safe online. It is very important pupils balance their time well online and do not become over reliant on social media. The following websites are important to consider with regards to online safety and we recommend you having a look when you get the opportunity:

 

​1. https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

2. https://www.childnet.com/

3. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

4. https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

 

Final statement

Whilst we understand that distance learning is not ideal, we need to try and make the best of this situation and stay positive. We will endeavour to support your child’s learning as best as possible and hope that pupils will engage and work hard to achieve their potential.

 

Above all else make sure you stay healthy as best as possible.