Furious teacher slates pupils for their partying
A SCOTS headteacher had to write to parents warning about ‘irresponsible pupils’ who were found breaking social distancing rules at a house party.
Around 35 youngsters, including senior pupils, were found at the event in Aberdeenshire on Saturday, which had to be broken up amid Covid fears.
Westhill Academy’s Alison Reid said many teachers at the institution, on the outskirts of Aberdeen, were finding the current working conditions ‘difficult’ and their confidence about being back at school was being ‘undermined by the unsafe, inconsiderate behaviour of some young people’.
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon tightened restrictions on gatherings on Thursday – limiting the number of people who could meet to six from two households due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
In her letter, Mrs Reid said: ‘There are times when families might say aspects of their life outside school are nothing to do with us – this is not one of those times.
‘On this occasion, the deliberate failure of some young people to follow the Scottish Government guidance in place and expected of all of us has put others’ health and lives at risk.
‘If staff or pupils at Westhill Academy become ill as a result of this incident or any other similar event, we may have to close to some or all pupils, and everyone is affected.’
At the time the party took place, the number of people who could meet indoors was limited to eight from three households.
Mrs Reid said many staff were feeling anxious about returning to work during the pandemic.
She added: ‘I cannot describe how hard school staff are working to promote everyone’s safety at this time.
‘All of this could be compromised if those same staff, or indeed other pupils, are put at risk by the irresponsible behaviour of some young people outside school.
‘Staff have gladly returned to the school building to be with their pupils, but I must be honest and say that many are finding the current working conditions difficult and tiring, and some are understandably anxious about being in close proximity to so many other people, and the potential risk to their own health and that of their loved ones.
‘Their confidence in being back in the workplace is key to maintaining positive relationships with pupils and ensuring effective learning, but this may be undermined by the unsafe, inconsiderate behaviour of some young people.’ Mrs Reid ended the letter with a plea to parents and carers to monitor pupils’ activities outside of the home.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said steps were being taken by teachers at schools across the region to ensure that pupils were aware of social distancing rules.
He said: ‘Schools across Aberdeenshire are continuing to engage with young people as well as parents and carers on the health and safety arrangements in place for their settings, as well as the steps everyone can take to support these arrangements.’
Police Scotland could not confirm the location of the house party and were therefore unable to provide a comment.
A spokesman pointed out that the force had been called out to 391 house gatherings across Scotland in response to reports of alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations last weekend.