General

S1 and S2 parents / carers should by now have received an email with a link to a Google form asking for feedback on the recent S1 and S2 Online Parents’ Evenings. The form can also be accessed below.

In order to support the Government’s wish that we all test more often over the festive season we are giving all pupils the opportunity to collect COVID-19 test kits. I have enough to give every pupil one of the new style of test kits but I also have enough stock to offer pupils some of the test kits currently in use.

I am aware that many of you may have your own supplies and in that case please advise your child that they need take no action. However, if it would be helpful for your child to have a supply for the holidays and the return to school in January, these will be available on Thursday of this week.

The arrangements are as follows and pupils will be reminded by class teachers on the day. Pupils have been advised of the specific location and timing.

Block 1- any S3 pupil who wishes to collect kits will be invited to do so.

Block 2- any S4 pupil who wishes to collect kits will be invited to do so.

Block 3- any S5/6 pupil who wishes to collect kits will be invited to do so.

Block 6 (after lunch)- any S1 pupil who wishes to collect kits will be invited to do so.

Block 7 – any S2 pupil who wishes to collect kits will be invited to do so.

As you can see in the attached parental letter, the Government have reduced the need for formal consent and it is implied if a young person collects kits that consent has been given- please discuss this with your child ahead of Thursday.

As part of our Promoting Positive Relationships policy, we are always keen to celebrate pupil achievements both within and out with school. If your child is involved in an extra-curricular activity out of school, or they are a volunteer, we would like to hear about it and acknowledge this. Sometimes these achievements can contribute to qualifications too. Please email us using the schools’ generic email. Thank you.

culloden.academy@highland.gov.uk

Not only does celebrating success feel good, but it sets us up for future success.

Prelims for pupils in S4, S5 and S6 begin on January 10th 2022 and will run until Friday 28th January. Pupils and parents/carers can download the prelim timetable below.

The latest school newsletter can be accessed from the link below. It has been emailed to all Parents and Carers this morning. The letter covers:

• Christmas Events
• Online Parents’ Evenings
• Uniform / Dress Code
• Covid 19 – masks and vaccines
• Prelims

Starting on Tuesday 7th December, we will be posting a piece of music each school day on the schools’ Facebook Page until the end of term. The majority of the music is examples of pupil’s SQA course work or music played in instrumental lessons. We are showcasing a variety of music styles with Christmas tunes in the last week.

S1 Online Parents’ Evening – Wednesday 8^th December

Parents’ Evening for S1 pupils will be held online on Wednesday 8^th December. This will run from 6pm until 8pm. Letters with information for parents on how to log on to the website are being issued to pupils at registration tomorrow (Thursday 25^th November). An electronic copy of this letter has been sent out using the email address we have on our system for the child’s parent. A copy of this letter is at the link below.

Please note that the system will not open for booking until 6pm on Friday 26^th November.

Please note that:

• When parents are logging in to the system, they should enter the forename and surname of the child’s Main Contact.
• When logging in, the parent is asked if they want to share the link for the meetings, for example, with their child’s other parent, who can accept or decline this invitation. This allows more than one parent/ family member to attend the same meeting if required.
• Appointments will be available to book from 6pm on Friday 26th November and close for booking on Tuesday 7th December at 16:00.

As part of the national effort to vaccinate 12-17 year olds, schools will be used to offer vaccinations to this age range. Pupils aged 12-17 years only will be able to get a vaccination on Monday 13th December, provided they have not already had their first dose.

Please see the letter below for more details. A copy of this has also been sent to all parents/carers.

Culloden Academy has a dress code which we wear with pride. Amongst the reasons we are strongly in favour of a school dress code which all pupils follow are the facts that:

• It improves school security by making it easier to identify intruders
• It is better value than clothing pupils may press parents to buy for school
• It will give greater equality of appearance and discourage remarks about who can or cannot afford designer clothes
• It gives a sense of community and a simple focus on what matters- learning
• It encourages better conduct and improves the atmosphere for learning
• It could help to reduce truancy by identifying pupils when not in school
• It heightens the reputation of the school in the community- some of whom are future employers of our young people

School ties can be obtained from the school office. All other dress code items are available from our supplier, Highland Embroidery, at the link below.

The agreed school dress code for Culloden Academy is a combination of:

• White or Black Shirt or Blouse
• Tie: S1-S4 striped; S5/6 purple
• Black t-shirt with school logo
• Black Trousers or Skirt
• Black Cardigan or Jumper
• No items with other logos permitted
• Change of clothes essential for PE

Uniform can be ordered from our suppliers, Schoolwear Made Easy and MacGregors using the links below:

Parents’ Evening for S2 pupils will be held online on Wednesday 24^th November. This will run from 18:00 until 20:00. Letters with information for parents on how to log on to the website have been issued. Parents should also have received an electronic copy of this letter, and additional information about using the system.These have been sent out using the email address we have on our system for the child’s parent. If you have not received such information, please contact the school office to confirm your current email address.

Please note that:

• When parents are logging in to the system, they should enter the forename and surname of the child’s Main Contact.
• When logging in, the parent is asked if they want to share the link for the meetings, for example, with their child’s other parent, who can accept or decline this invitation. This allows more than one parent/ family member to attend the same meeting if required.
• Appointments will be available to book from 18:00 on Friday 12^th November and close for booking on Tuesday 23^rd November at 16:00.