’They all stood up to be counted and played their part during a time of crisis’.

Headteacher Chris Coole was speaking during St Ninian’s High School’s Annual Presentation of Awards about the response of the school’s staff and students to the disruption caused by Covid-19.

He added: ’I am incredibly proud of their efforts and would like to thank each and every one of them for their contribution over that difficult period.’

Explaining how the school adapted to remote teaching during the lockdown school closure, Mr Coole said: ’All in all there were 41 days of remote learning.

’Work was available and lessons were up and running from day one of this.

’Over 650 separate Google online classrooms were set up for staff and students to work remotely in.

’We knew it was important to maintain routines as much as could be during this period so students and teachers were asked to follow their normal timetable as much as was possible with teachers available for students during their timetabled lessons.

’Over 10,000 remote lessons took place over the lockdown period and over 40,000 of our online e-praise reward points were issued to students for their efforts in this period.’

He also noted that St Ninian’s had become an Approved Apple Regional Training Centre - one of only 77 approved across Britain and Ireland.

This means that St Ninian’s now ’offers island educators the opportunity to learn how Apple technology can make a difference to teaching and learning in the classroom.’

As for the disruption caused by the fact that were unable to sit their GSCE and A-level exams this year because of Covid-19 restrictions, he said: ’I will not say too much about the events around the way in which our students examination results were awarded this summer.

’Needless to say it was another extremely difficult and stressful time for all involved, particularly our students who, not only had to cope with the uncertainty of their examinations initially being cancelled, but many of whom were then initially being presented with results that were lower than predicted and not what they deserved.

’The English government eventually acknowledged the injustice that had been done and I am really pleased that our students eventually received the centre assessed grades their efforts deserved.

’They should feel proud, not only of the impressive final results they achieved, but also for the fortitude and resilience they and their families have had to endure along the way.’

Summarising the lessons learned from this unprecedented year, he said: ’We have a much better grasp of how we can deliver remote learning effectively and our staff have developed a wide range of skills in this and other areas.’

’Finally, it has made it plain the power and importance of community, positive relationships and working together, be that our wider island community, our education community or our school community.

’Nobody can achieve much on their own or if they are in constant conflict with one another or do not feel valued, but with mutual respect, support and the guidance of family, colleagues, schools and the wider community there really are no limits on what can be achieved by any of us, particularly our students.’

Sixth-form student leader Cliff Dunne said: ’It has been a year that none of us could have prepared for.

’Many anxieties arose, as the previous Year 13s fretted about their university admissions and everyone who was going to take their examinations were worried about how their work would be assessed.

’When we were suddenly plunged into lockdown, we had to adapt quickly to this new way of learning, as teachers filled our Google classrooms with lesson plans and assignments.

’Not only did we have a full schedule of classes, including tutorial, but we were welcomed into those sessions in a really supportive way. We knew that our teachers were there for us, and we also knew that they were also learning with us.’

Headteacher Chris Coole was speaking during St Ninian’s High School’s Annual Presentation of Awards about the response of the school’s staff to the disruption caused by Covid-19 this year.

He added: ’I am incredibly proud of their efforts and would like to thank each and every one of them for their contribution over that difficult period.’

Explaining how the school adapted to remote teaching during the lockdown school closure, Mr Coole said: ’All in all there were 41 days of remote learning.

’Work was available and lessons were up and running from day 1 of this. ’Over 650 separate Google online classrooms were set up for staff and students to work remotely in.

’We knew it was important to maintain routines as much as could be during this period so students and teachers were asked to follow their normal timetable as much as was possible with teachers available for students during their timetabled lessons.

’Over 10,000 remote lessons took place over the lockdown period and over 40,000 of our online e-praise reward points were issued to students for their efforts in this period.’

He also noted that St Ninian’s had become an Approved Apple Regional Training Centre - one of only 77 approved across Britain and ireland. This means that St Ninian’s now ’offers Island educators the opportunity to learn how Apple technology can make a difference to teaching and learning in the classroom’

As for the disruption caused by the fact that were unable to sit their GSCE and A-level exams this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, he said:

’I will not say too much about the events around the way in which our students examination results were awarded this summer.

’Needless to say it was another extremely difficult and stressful time for all involved, particularly our students who, not only had to cope with the uncertainty of their examinations initially being cancelled, but many of whom were then initially being presented with results that were lower than predicted and not what they deserved. The English government eventually acknowledged the injustice that had been done and I am really pleased that our students eventually received the Centre Assessed grades their efforts deserved. They should feel proud, not only of the impressive final results they achieved, but also for the fortitude and resilience they and their families have had to endure along the way."

Summarising the lessons learned from this unprecedented year, he said:

’We have a much better grasp of how we can deliver remote learning effectively and our staff have developed a wide range of skills in this and other areas.’

’Finally, it has made it plain the power and importance of community, positive relationships and working together, be that our wider island community, our education community or our school community.

’Nobody can achieve much on their own or if they are in constant conflict with one another or do not feel valued, but with mutual respect, support and the guidance of family, colleagues, schools and the wider community there really are no limits on what can be achieved by any of us, particularly our students.’