Lunch time ZOOM meeting - Alan Pithie headteacher giving us a school update

Thu, Mar 4th 2021 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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On Thursday 4^th March 2021 President Geoff Sampson welcomed 23 guests including 20 club Rotarians, Chantal Mrimi guest of President Geoff Sampson and guest speaker Alan Pithie along with Steve Addison from Auchmuty High School to this lunch time meeting held by ZOOM.

One apology for non-attendance was received.

Our speaker this week was Auchmuty High School rector Alan Pithie speaking about schooling during a year now with the Pandemic and the way forward. Alan started off by saying that the decision made last year to cancel exams was the first time this had happened since 1888 and the need to estimate exam grades. The SQA algorithm method had been discussed. From March to August, he spoke about the difficulties brought about by Home learning and blended teams for pupils and teachers, also hub schools being created for the pupils who were vulnerable or with parents of key workers, going back to school in August felt a bit like normality but from October to Christmas was exceedingly difficult again for all. When the second lockdown came everybody was at a low ebb and gutted. Now they are COVID testing twice a week and from the 15^thof March a year group per day will be going back into the school and from the restart from the Easter holidays everybody will be back into school with 8 pupils at a time in a class. Alan mentioned that this was 12 years since he took over as rector and had experienced many changes in that time and with that came many questions from Rotarians.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Wilna Roger.

The ongoing Old Tools and Sewing machines project lead by Rotarian Iain Oates (phone 07423 195333) in conjunction with The Ecology Centre at Kinghorn’s Tool Shed who are refurbishing old tools donated by the public and, with the help of the charities Tools for Self-Reliance and the Global Concerns Trust, are shipped out to people with physical disabilities in Malawi. We have to date received 10 sewing machines from members of the public and we are profoundly grateful as these will be refurbished if needs be and used abroad to establish businesses in deprived townships. Anybody who have Old Tools or Sewing machines would you please be good enough to let us know and we will gladly collect. Contact can be made through our Facebook page or if you know a Rotarian please do not hesitate to contact them. Three trailer loads have been given to the Ecology centre already and the project is ongoing. Many thanks to all who have been involved.

Iain Haywood advised that we run an Auction for a week in March with Golf associated prizes including 4 balls and clothing.

This coming week Thursday 11^thMarch 2021 our meeting will be held on ZOOM at 1pm when we will have a Spring Quiz run by Rotarian Wilna Roger.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome.

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