Dear all
I hope you are keeping well and that you and your loved ones are able to look after each other presently. Although there has been some positive news in terms of numbers of people afflicted with the Coronavirus in NI, there has also been tragedy and heartbreak for many families and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones in these difficult times.
We begin Term 3 in very strange circumstances and there are some important updates for all year groups, detailed below. Information in relation to contacting school is also included at the end of this message.
GCSE, AS and ‘A’-Level Students
CCEA and Ofqual (the regulator for other examination boards) have both released information detailing how they intend to award grades to students, in the above categories, this year. There is important information for you to make yourself aware of and the links to both sets of information are below. We are still awaiting definite information in relation to Vocational qualifications.
Please note – our staff will be working extremely hard to ensure that every child who attends our school is treated fairly and is not disadvantaged through this process. We are still awaiting further information from examination boards, before we begin to collate and forward the information required.
CCEA Process (Vast majority of GCSE, AS and A2 qualifications)
Information on process and documents for all stakeholders (including messages for students and parents):
https://ccea.org.uk/news/2020/april/ccea-announces-how-gcses-and-levels-will-be-awarded-summer-2020
Ofqual Process (Qualifications from Pearson, Edexcel etc)
Information on process and documents for all stakeholders (including messages for students and parents):
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/how-gcses-as-a-levels-will-be-awarded-in-summer-2020
Students in Years 11 & 13
The process for awarding grades at GCSE and ‘A’-Level is now clear and whilst there is some information for pupils in Years 11&13, it is clear that we will have to seek further clarification, ensuring that pupils in those year groups are not disadvantaged, either this year or next.
That said, it is vital that our pupils in Year 11 and 13 engage with teachers and continue to complete some work each day, whilst they are at home. There are groups and online communications for all students to engage with and teachers continue to set and assess work for these pupils. I strongly encourage all pupils to engage with these learning opportunities as much as possible. If you are having trouble accessing this information, for any reason, please contact the school immediately, using the links at the bottom of this notice.
Students in Years 8 – 10
We recognise this is a very strange time for all our students, particularly our younger pupils. There are some brilliant examples of our young people continuing to commit to their studies, completing work on paper, or digitally, and asking questions from their teachers through MS Teams, Email or other methods.
Teachers are continuing to set work and communicate with classes online and are happy to get communications from pupils who are having difficulty accessing, completing or returning work.
Password and Technical Difficulties
If you are having challenges logging in, changing your password or accessing groups, please contact our IT team for assistance:
Bernie McAlister – bmcalister105@c2kni.net
Ciaran Clarke – cclarke866@c2kni.net
General assistance or queries:
For any other queries, questions or assistance, please email the school office at the address below (social media accounts are not routinely monitored presently). All queries will be forwarded on to the relevant member of staff.
Info@crossandpassion.ballycastle.ni.sch.uk
Thank you for your continued support. I hope and pray that our school community are well at present and look forward to catching up again soon. Please stay safe and look after yourselves and each other.
Best wishes
Paul McClean
Principal