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Update 18 June 2021

A reminder that we finish for the summer holidays on Friday 25 June students resume on Wednesday 18 August

Letters sent out this week

If your young person tests positive for COVID, please email both covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk (this will be monitored over weekends) AND admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

LFD Testing

Close Contacts and Siblings

If a student has been identified as a  close contact and has a negative PCR test result, then siblings can return to school once the school has been provided with a copy of the result.

Please forward the negative result, along with the student’s name and class, and sibling names  (including primary pupils).

Please be aware that any close contacts must complete the full isolation period specified in the letter, even if the test result is negative.

Get into Summer East Lothian!

Sports, play and free swims… it’s officially time to ‘Get into Summer’ in East Lothian!

There are lots of projects running throughout the holiday period giving children and young people the chance to be active, connect with others and enjoy the best that East Lothian has to offer. Examples include football, tennis, rugby and gymnastics events, pop-up play activities, computing camps and free swimming at enjoyLeisure pools.

Find out more about the activities on offer (including eligibility and booking information where appropriate) at: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/get-into-summer

SQA Appeals 2021

Last week, the SQA announced a free appeals service, available directly to learners for the first time, covering this year’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications. Further information about this service and the appeals process is available from their website.

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html

P7 Transition

Library Books

Please can outstanding library books be handed in to the librarian or the school office. They can be handed in to any library over the summer.

Accessing web sites at home using East Lothian Council/School devices

Having been reviewing our security in relation to learning devices used by pupils in our schools I wish to bring the following to your attention. With pupils making good use of Chromebook and other devices that can be attached to any wireless network, it enables them to work normally anywhere there’s a suitable wireless network, not just in school, such as on trips and visits as well as at home. This capability has been a great help over the last year, enabling large numbers of Chromebooks to go home with learners who would otherwise have inadequate computer access.

We’ve had some questions from parents over whether in-school web filtering happens when the devices are used at home. Web filtering is the technology which is designed to block access, as far as these systems can, to inappropriate web content.

When your child uses a device at home, it does not connect via these school/Council filters, so therefore requires the same supervision as any other networked device used in the home. It connects to the internet directly via the home Internet Service Provider (ISP), typically BT, Sky, TalkTalk or Virgin Media. If it’s a home wireless network, it will default to the ISP’s content filtering. If it’s connected via a portable hotspot issued by the Council, it will use another third party web filter, configured to give similar access and protection as the filtering when devices are used in school. If it’s connected via any other portable hotspot, or via a mobile phone hotspot (known as “tethering”) then it will use the phone’s network operator’s filtering.

All the main internet providers in the UK offer their own parental controls which can be used, if appropriate, to prevent age inappropriate content being accessed on any devices in your home. Details of these are available here: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parental-controls-offered-your-home-internet-provider

I trust this is helpful in clarifying the position.

Summer Activity Week

  • For: Pupils who are interested in staying on at school, heading into work and/or going to college or university
  • When: Monday 28th June – Friday 2nd July 9:30am-3:30pm
  • What is it: A week-long summer activity programme based at Queen Margaret University. Work on a project with ELTI Tutors and QMU Students, Win prizes, Gain connections for work experience opportunities, Pick from many workshops to support your next steps.
  • Perks: Get a £10 voucher for taking part, reimbursed for travel to QMU and free lunches every day!
  • More details: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/access-to-higher-education/elti-summer-activity-week/
  • How to apply: Pupils should sign-up by 21st June by emailing elti@qmu.ac.uk

Other Information / Opportunities