Category: Uncategorised

You will shortly receive information from NHS Scotland about Covid 19 vaccination for 12-17 year olds  that we have been asked to distribute to pupils and parents. Please ask you son or daughter to make sure they pass it on to you. Please note the following:

• N.H.S. Highland will be organising drop in clinics at locations referred to in the letter. There is no drop-in clinic at the school
• The consent form should not be returned to the school; it should be taken to the drop-in clinic when the young person attend for vaccination.

There seems there will be no change to school mitigations after the holidays with pupils still being expected to wear masks. There are large number of pupils who have been forgetting masks and getting one from the main school office. This service will still be available but we would ask that any pupil who requires a mask can now make a 20p donation in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/

Black History Month

As a Rights Respecting School, we are very aware of the historical connections between Inverness Royal Academy and the trading of human beings as slaves. The extent to which people in Inverness and  Highlands benefitted from this appalling  trade is, thankfully,  beginning to be better researched and understood.

This programme from BBC Alba is excellent in revealing some of the links, and quotes the statistic that in 1804 about 10% of pupils at Inverness Royal Academy were from the Caribbean.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00109y9/trusadh-series-14-1-afrogaidheil (17 mins in)

Of course, ‘Black History Month’ is just that: a month that  helps us to focus our attention on lesser known and disturbing aspects of our shared history’ As a school, however,  we are  committed to learning about the actions of our predecessors throughout the year. N4/5 pupils of History and Eachdraidh study this as part of their course.

Our S4 Eachdraidh pupils also undertook a walking tour around the town this week to learn more about how slavery contributed to Inverness. The tour can be accessed here and followed in your own time should you wish – https://www.davidalston.info/

We are looking for donations for the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal to benefit people experiencing poverty, illness, disability or other disadvantages.  Each year group is asked to donate items as follows:

S1 – Socks aged 10-12

S2 – Gloves or hats

S3 – Toiletries e.g. Shower gel, shampoo

S4 – Stationery e.g. Pens, pencils, notebooks

S5 – Bags of sweets

Please bring any donations in to school on the first week back after the holidays. Thank you!

Please remember tomorrow is a dress down day for the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. Please come dressed in colours from the Romanian flag; blue, yellow, red. Suggested donation is £1. Remember we are still collecting items for the shoebox appeal after the holidays too.

MacGregor Industrial Supplies Ltd currently have roles which would be suitable for school leavers; Warehouse Operative and Reception/Admin. Both of these roles could include SVQ training. If you are interested in applying for either of these positions or would like more information, click on the following link:

https://macgregorjobs.careers.adp.com/

We would like to say a massive well done to all the pupils and staff who participated in our sponsored walk and activities last week.  You all did brilliantly and we are very proud of your efforts!  If you were sponsored for this event, please remember to bring in the sponsor form and funds to registration tomorrow if you can.

SPCA Firework Safety