GLAD TO BE BACK: RELIEF AS PUPILS RETURN TO CLASSROOM
Teachers paint upbeat picture as kids begin to arrive at school once again for lessons...
FOR the first time in two months, playgrounds across the city were lined with pupils ready for a day of classroom learning. At Knightswood Primary School teachers had made a special “Welcome Back” banner for each child to walk under and mark their return to school.
While some parents were understandably anxious about the return of pupils in P1 to P3, head teachers reported children were delighted to be back.
Jonathan Cunningham, head teacher at Knightswood Primary, said it was “absolutely lovely” to see his youngest pupils return.
He added: “School isn’t the same without the wee ones running around and joking – of course, these are slightly bigger versions of the wee ones who went away on their holidays in December.
“Today had that feeling of day one in August all over again and the parents and carers seemed just as excited to hand over the wee ones as the wee ones were to be back.”
Jonathan said it had been important to ensure that parents were comfortable with the start of the phased return of pupils, which yesterday also included older secondary pupils who need to be in class for practical subjects.
The head said it had been important to have good communication with parents about the coronavirus mitigations in the classrooms.
He said Knightwood Primary had run questionnaires with parents and benefits from a strong parent council.
Children, Jonathan added, have adapted very quickly to changes in school: “We have to remember that parents have been trying to balance their own lives as well as working on the online platforms.
“P1 parents have found that more difficult than other year groups because P1s need adults to support them through.
“We have had a number of conversations with parents and carers who have been checking in with us during the day.
“But for the pupils it’s second nature now that they’re washing their hands seven times throughout the day. Children just accept that as a normal part of the day.
“Parents certainly trust us and if they have any questions they do seem to be very comfortable contacting us and asking.”
The school has also been running support sessions for some pupils with Action For Children and has continued running its food bank.
Chris Cunningham, Glasgow’s city convener of education, skills and early years, was at Scotstoun Primary yesterday to see pupils returning to class.
While glad to see the youngest pupils returning, the schools boss said he wished more youngsters were back in class.
He said: “I understand government’s got a difficult to do.
“They have to weigh the balance between safety and getting schools back and I can’t emphasise enough that all of this has to work safely for everyone, for the children, for all of the staff and teachers who work in the schools.
“So it’s one of these things where I am so, so pleased to see schools returning but I look forward to all of our school children and young people being back in the classroom because I think that is the best thing for them.”
While Chris praised teachers for their work in remote learning, he said it was “second best” and no replacement for being in the classroom.
He added: “There’s a lot our young people are missing out on from not being in school.
“However well we think we’re doing, and I do believe in Glasgow we have done well, we ought not to kid ourselves that somehow or another the job that’s a substitute for being back in the classroom – it’s not.
“I have a concern about young people staring at computer screens. It’s an unnatural environment for them.
“We need to try somehow or another to bring that to an end as soon as possible.
“This Covid generation are going to live with that reality and that is going to be their reality and they will carry that for the rest of their life.I desperately don’t want another year of this.”
Chris met with head teacher Emma
Scotstoun’s McGill, who
They’re washing their hands seven times each day
was in the playground to welcome her youngest pupils back to school.
Emma had only been at the school for three weeks when the new lockdown started but she praised the school community for welcoming her in.
When youngsters head in to school they have different zones to line up in to minimise contact between different classes; there are staggered break times; classrooms are ventilated; and there is plenty of handwashing.
As well as a return to in-person learning, schools are also juggling their key worker bubbles and home learning for older pupils.
For Emma, it was vital that children’s mental health and wellbeing is also being looked after so Scotstoun will introduce Wellbeing Wednesdays.
She said: “This will be an opportunity to work offline, allowing them to work through a series of activities, beginning with healthy eating and sleep patterns leading up to activities such as making soup as a family. We really want our whole school to have the opportunity to come offline and do a different type of learning.”
Both Emma and Jonathan were adamant that, despite all the challenges in place, having the first tranche of pupils back in school yesterday was a positive step.
Emma said: “We have a school with three floors and we have had very few pupils here so it’s nice to have that bustle and buzz again.”
Jonathan added: “It’s been quite eerie to be in a school with three classes when we normally have 21 classes.
“It has been wonderful down corridors and hear speak and giggle.” to walk children
CELTIC have hit out at the “disgraceful” sectarian abuse suffered by Shane Duffy and have demanded the strongest action be taken. The defender was the target of a vile Instagram message where a yob made sickening comments, branding the Irishman a “fenian ugly b ****** ” and saying “you’re f***ng s*** you c***”.
The Instagram idiot ended the private message with a final taunt, adding: “Haha ur dads dead”.
Duffy’s father passed away year.
Celtic have now backed their player, insisting they would stand behind Duffy against the “mindless, vile and abhorrent behaviour”.
It is understood the matter has now been passed to Police Scotland.
The national force was last night unable to confirm if they had received a report.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “It is disgraceful that Shane should be targeted in this way through such sickening sectarian abuse – and mocking the death of Shane’s father is quite simply despicable.
“This is mindless, vile and abhorrent behaviour and must be challenged and condemned.
“Everything should be done to identify those responsible and the strongest action must be taken. Shane of course will receive the full support of everyone at Celtic.”
Duffy shared the message, saying: “There’s abuse which is fine but surely there’s a limit nah”, with a shrugging shoulders emoji. last
It comes in the wake of manager Neil Lennon being critical of “keyboard warriors” after fellow Irishman James McClean was sent death threats and sick messages on Instagram.
Lennon said: “These social media platforms don’t display any accountability or look after the people who are on the end of this constant abuse, whether it be racial, whether it be sectarian, whether it be personal, whether it be social.
“It is a real poison in modern-day society and it is more prevalent in football because it is so much more public and out there. It is disgusting. I’m fed up talking about it now because nothing gets done.”
Instagram confirmed it is investigating the matter.
Nil by Mouth director Dave Scott joined calls for tougher action by social media firms.
He said: “Once again we see gutless, bigoted morons thinking they can use social media as a tool to spout hate at innocent people.
“The time for social media platforms to shut down these accounts and pass contact details to police is long overdue, these individuals need to face the consequences of their cowardly actions.”
Mocking the death of his father is quite simply despicable
AMAN who assaulted his mum and her friend went on to tell a police officer “I don’t give a f**k”. Declan Quinn, 20, appeared from custody at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting his mum by grabbing her hair and throwing her to the ground at a property in Duntarvie Avenue, Easterhouse, on January 15.
The court heard that his mum and her friend were in the house consuming alcohol when Quinn turned up.
The procurator fiscal said: “The accused attended unexpectedly but was allowed entry. He was then asked to leave and became aggressive.
“He grabbed his mother by the hair. He thereafter threw her to the floor.
“He then punched mum’s friend to the before running away.
“Police attended and spoke to both witnesses before tracing the accused nearby a short time later.
“He was cautioned and charged to which he replied, ‘I don’t give a f**k’.”
Quinn had appeared in court for other matters the day before the assault on his mum and sentencing was deferred to see if he was eligible for a tag.
His solicitor said: “He’s placed himself in a difficult position. He appeared in court on January 14 and matters were deferred.
“He could have kept himself at liberty, but he ended up committing this offence the very next day.
“He has been remanded in custody since he was arrested.”
Quinn had previously pleaded guilty to breaching orders that denied him entry to Duntarvie Avenue, being his ear in possession of cannabis, approaching and contacting his mum after being ordered not to, shouting and swearing at his mum, placing her in a fear of state and alarm, and being in possession of cocaine.
The sheriff sent Quinn prison.
She said: “I’m going to start with the most recent matter. You committed this offence on January 15 while subject to three deferred sentences and a breach of a community payback order.
“So, taking this into account and the nature of the offence, in my view, the only appropriate disposal is detention.”
Quinn was sentenced to 163 days in jail for the assaults on his mum and her friend.
For other matters, he was sentenced to 60 and 54 days in prison which will be served at the same time, but consecutively to the 163 days. to
AMAN who spouted racist abuse to a police officer will learn his fate when he returns to court next month.
James Davidson, of Broomhill Gate, pleaded guilty to challenging officers to fight and uttering offensive and racist remarks and threats on January 26.
He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday.
The court heard that the 27-year-old was heavily drunk when police came across him when attending at his address for an unrelated matter.
The procurator fiscal said: “For his own safety he was put into the police van for them to gather his details at around 11pm.
“He became aggressive and started to shout the usual swear words.
“He was challenging officers to fight and said to one female officer: ‘You’re a f ***** g cow’.
“He was taken to Partick police office. Whilst there, he referred to a constable as a ‘f ***** g p**i b ***** d’. He was held in custody.”
Davidson’s solicitor told the court that his client is not a racist man by nature, and is ashamed of his behaviour.
He added: “Embarrassed would be an understatement here. He was heavily under the influence.
“He was at his partner’s address and she asked him to leave because he was so drunk.
“Police apprehended him; I think he got a fright. That’s when his behaviour seemed to escalate. He has offered an apology to all those involved.
“He resides with his partner currently; they have one child together and he has two stepchildren. He plays a significant part in their lives.
“He has spent some time in custody which has allowed him to calm down and realise this behaviour is not acceptable.”
Davidson, who is on bail for other outstanding matters, blamed alcohol for his behaviour when offending and told his lawyer he has been attending alcohol support services as best he can.
The sheriff told him: “When you are sober, you work, when you’re drunk you commit offences.
“A custodial sentence is at the forefront of my mind. However, before finally deciding, I will call for a report assessing your suitability for the alcohol course. I’m told you would welcome this opportunity.”
Sentencing was until March 18. adjourned