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  • COVID continues to cause classroom disruption with the possibility of a reduced school menu on the cards

    COVID continues to cause classroom disruption with the possibility of a reduced school menu on the cards

    COVID-related staffing pressures across many of Orkney’s schools and nurseries is continuing to impact on classes and early learning groups.

    On Monday, 62 members of staff and 221 young people and children were absent, largely due to being positive themselves or because they are the main carer of a child with a positive result.

    The high community transmission rate – Orkney recently recorded 1,000 COVID cases in just two weeks – is likely to have an effect on school kitchens now too.

    08 March 2022

  • Behind the Headlines – Isles Swimming Pools

    You will be aware that COVID-19 has led to challenges in terms of resource and maintenance in some of our facilities – in particular the four swimming pools in the isles.

     

    All pools and leisure facilities in Orkney shut down with the first lockdown in March 2020, and while many facilities have reopened, there has been a number of ongoing issues at the isles swimming pools.

     

    The pools in Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and North Walls are much-loved by their communities – and it’s not just those on the four islands who benefit from the pools, Papay and Eday pupils also learn to swim at the Westray and Sanday pools respectively. It is therefore entirely understandable that there has been a growing level of frustration expressed at facilities not being open or fully open for long periods, therefore we thought it would be helpful to provide an overview of the situation and answers to some frequently asked questions.

     

    08 March 2022

  • Staffing challenges for schools

    Staffing challenges for schools

    A lack of staffing due to COVID and other sickness has led to the continued and additional closure of a number of classes within Stromness Primary School tomorrow, Thursday 3 March, and Friday. Eday school is also being impacted.

    02 March 2022

  • £240k boost the Councillor's 'Local Works and Services Fund' for projects on their patch

    £240k boost the Councillor's 'Local Works and Services Fund' for projects on their patch

    A £240k boost to a fund controlled by local Councillors will help them continue to support small projects with a big impact in their communities, says OIC Convener Harvey Johnston.

    24 February 2022

  • “Cautious” approach to removal of face coverings in classrooms

    “Cautious” approach to removal of face coverings in classrooms

    In line with the rest of Scotland, students and staff in Orkney’s secondary schools will no longer need to wear face masks in the classroom from next week (Monday 28 February) First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

    She said the change is a “further step in allowing children and young people a return to a more normal experience in school after many, many months of sacrifice”.

    24 February 2022

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