20th September 2021
Staffing
In August we welcomed several new staff members to the Mearns Academy team.
- Ms MacKay, Teacher of Art & Design
- Ms Andrews, Teacher of Science
- Mr Blakey, Teacher of Business Studies
- Mr McMillan, DYW Employer School Coordinator
- Two new staff members for our Maths Faculty have been appointed, Mr McRae will start on Monday 4th October and Ms Tunilla on Monday 1st November.
- Joy Lorimer our Admin Support Officer has taken up a new post out with Mearns Academy. We have successfully recruited and are delighted that Scott Leslie will take up post as Admin Support Officer on 4th October.
Calendar
A calendar with key dates will be issued to all parents and carers this week. I can confirm that Parent evenings will take place this session and until restrictions are lifted they will happen virtually. Further information on this will be issued soon. There are two parents evenings happening this term:
- S2 6th October
- S3 12th October
Sponsored Walk
Thank you to everybody who donated to our Sponsored Walk. As you know unfortunately the event had to be cancelled/postponed. I have contacted Just Giving and all the money which was donated should be automatically refunded.
Covid 19
The situation with Covid 19 in constantly changing and as you will know we have seen an increase in the number of pupils testing positive. Although this has increased it is still a very small number of our school population. We are following Guidance from the Health Protection Team and a letter will continue to be issued to notify parent’s when there has been a positive case in school. Changes are being made to this letter and the letter will now include the year group of the young person testing positive and be sent to that year only.
There will also be a letter sent separately from Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director. Please take time to read the communication as the latest information on symptoms, extended symptoms, PCS Testing and Self-Isolation does change.
COOP – Lunchtime
Several concerns have been raised by the COOP around a very small group of pupils who have shown disrespect when using the local shop. On Friday Mrs Logue and myself spent lunchtime in the COOP where the behaviour and attitude of all pupils was excellent. Each lunchtime two members of SLT walk around the local area as a presence for our young people. PTG’s and Tutor teachers have discussed our expectations on behaviour at lunchtimes when in school and in the community and we will continue to monitor the behaviour of all pupils in the community and ask that each young person shows respect at all times.
Mearns Academy Parent Council (MAPC)
On Friday I met with the new Chair of our Mearns Academy Parent Council, Marieke Wood. It was a very positive meeting where we discussed how best to get young people to demonstrate Respect both in school and in the wider community by taking pride in being part of Mearns Academy. I look forward to working closely with MAPC in taking this forward. The next MAPC meeting is scheduled for Thursday 14th October.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for the support you continue to give Mearns Academy.