Covid 19 Update Meeting 20.05.20

(Via Video Conference)

Present: Mary-Jean Devon, Billy McClymont, Jim Corbett, Fiona Brown, Adrian Stephens, Colin Morrison, John Maughan, Susan Campbell, Pam McColl, Norman Hickson, Ian Campbell, Sue Hawkes, Morven Gibson, Sarah Padley

In Attendance: Peter Bain, Lauren Morrison, Moray Finch, Jane Martin, Kirsty Renton, Joe Reade, Helen McWalter, Seonaidh Mackenzie, Mikey MacDonald, Graham Davidson, Jennifer McGhee, Ruth Fleming

Apologies: Vic Linneman, Moira Westland

Oban High school Update – Peter Bain and Lauren Morrison

• Peter Bain is the Head Teacher for Oban and Tiree. • There will be a phased return from August. • Possibility of blended learning approach which would mean half education carried out in school and other half at home. • New P 1 and S1 students will be priority. • Waiting for government guidance before decisions are made but is very happy to take suggestions from both pupils and parents on how they would like to move forward. • Virtual learning is going well. • G-Suite is being used to deliver live learning to both Tiree and Oban. • For areas that have low internet speed, a dongle can be provided to boost internet speed. • Connectivity in remote areas is a major issue for the national recovery group for education and there is a team within this group who are looking at IT and connectivity infrastructure. • There is a 4G station in the . • M.F suggested that a meeting is held with Douglas Hendry meet to discuss utilising it to improve pupil connectivity. • M.G and P.B happy to do this. • There is a large pastoral team working to help families to access necessary IT and software, deliver emotional support and to help with understanding of curriculum. • Staff are delivering school meals and delivering food parcels to approx. 1000 homes in the area. • Staff are supporting families who have children with special needs. • Lauren Morrison, the deputy head for school hostel liaison, stated that there has been excellent engagement from Mull pupils with regards online learning. • M-J.D will invite P.B back once government route map is disclosed.

Tobermory High School Update – Jennifer McGhee

• Tobermory carrying out remote learning on 3 platforms; Seesaw, Facebook and G-Suite. • Though there have been some technical issues, there has been fantastic pupil engagement. Staff are supporting IT complaints and are delivering school meals and resources to those who need them. • Tobermory has successfully already used G-Suite in the past. • This week they have been piloting live lessons which have been a success so far. • The ASN team are continuing to support each day and are working on a rota. • There is a mentoring program where by parents and pupils are contacted by phone to ensure they are coping. • ELC have weekly contact with individual pupils. • There has been huge support from the school nurse, social work and educational psychologist. • A parent and Pupil survey has been distributed and results will be analysed at the end of the week. • Staff wellbeing is also a priority and is being monitored by principle teacher. • A hub has been set up for Salen, , Lochdon and . • Mull Head Teachers meet once per week to keep each other informed on matters such as contact with families and pupil engagement. • J.M thanked Mikey and Graham for their help in delivering school meals and resources.

Food bank Update – Ruth Fleming

• The Tobermory food bank is working in partnership with Hope-Kitchen in Oban. • There are currently 4 volunteers collecting and delivering. • Food is being transferred across by The Island Bakery. • Fresh produce is being donated by local farmers and the co-op. • They are looking into getting a food collection box in Tobermory Co-op. • Food parcels are being delivered across the whole island. If anyone would like to make a donation of food it can dropped off in the lobby of the Western Isles Hotel.

Update on Deliveries

Mikey MacDonald

• There is a very straight forward system in place. • Occasionally deliver goods that are not food. • M.F to contact Mikey on best way to move forward as ‘lockdown’ progresses. • M-J.D stated that the drivers are getting extremely positive feedback from the community. • In some instances they are providing a social aspect to people who would otherwise not see anybody.

Graham Davidson

• Very grateful for the support they receive. • It can be difficult trying to organise as few runs as possible to minimise expense.

Mull Crisis Management– Ian Campbell

• An update on Mull health care and the fact that surgeries are open has been copied to the MCC website.

Update on other activity – Moray Finch

• Community Transport is busy dispensing groceries and prescriptions. • This week there is the 1st delivery of food parcels from and Bute Council • Arranging for volunteer groups all over the island to have helpline in place to ensure everyone has the support they need.

Update on Ferry – Joe Reade

• Nothing to report as of yet as Calmac are waiting for government guidelines.