Sanquhar Academy

School Handbook

2021–2022

Contents School History

Welcome Sanquhar Academy

COVID Recovery and Renewal Sanquhar Academy is a mixed Comprehensive School offering courses up to Advanced Higher Our Vision & Values level in a diverse range of subjects. Communication The school roll is currently 261, this gives us the advantage of really building strong relationships The School Day with all our pupils.

Transitions There has been a school in Sanquhar since pre- reformation times, but the first mention of an Our Staff established Public school is in the statistical account of 1793. The Crichton School, now part Broad General Education of the nursing home, in Laurie's Wynd, was endowed in 1838 and, following the Education Senior Phase Act of 1872, the buildings of the parish school in Queensberry Square were re- built and Senior Phase Courses extended. Homework The Crichton School and Sanquhar Public School Attainment & Achievement joined in 1886 after which followed a series of extensions until 1931 when the school was Parental Engagement renamed Sanquhar Academy.

Pupil Support Throughout this period, there had been separate schools in Sanquhar and Kirkconnel. In 1972 School History Kirkconnel Junior Secondary School closed and Sanquhar Academy became the school serving secondary-age pupils in the area in 1976.

Headteacher Mrs Elaine Hetherington Cree

School Address Broomfield, Sanquhar, DG4 6JN

Telephone Number 01659 50208

Website www.sanquharacademy.org Thank You School App Safer Schools, Sanquhar Academy For taking the time to review our school Handbook. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sanquharacademy If you require any further information Twitter News@sanquharacademy please contact us.

Email [email protected]

Description Non-Denominational Six Year Comprehensive

Current Roll 261

2 17

Pupil Support Welcome

GIRFEC Duff & Wilson House Dear Parent/Carer Dear Parent/Carer Getting it right for every child Sanquhar Academy's Pupil Support Team work (GIRFEC) is an approach from in a vertical 'House' system with pupils being Our schools across Dumfries At Sanquhar Academy we work The Scottish Government that assigned to one Pupil Support Teacher and and Galloway have high together to ensure that our sets out how schools and other services should remaining with them throughout their time in expectations and high school community has every work with children and their families. GIRFEC is school. The Pupil Support teacher's role is to aspirations for pupils and staff. opportunity to be your best all about ensuring that children get the help they give personal and pastoral support to your Like you, we want the best self. Our school moto in Latin need when they need it – the right help at the daughter/son while in school, as well as possible future for your child. means ’The notice of honesty’. right time. For you and your child, GIRFEC means monitoring progress, attendance and behaviour. We know that children do Being open to change and that: You are the expert on your child and what better at school and go on to growth through learning and you think matters. Getting it right for every child The Pupil Support Team achieve more in life when families and schools honest about our skills, abilities and needs will means that the School will always seek to involve work together. We want to make sure that you, as support our children to become the best adults you, to listen to your opinions and take them A good relationship between home and school is parents and carers, feel involved in your child’s in the future. seriously. in the best interests of all pupils. Your child will learning, feel welcome and listened to in our be allocated a Pupil Support Teacher who will be schools. We have a shared interest in your child Through the National Improvement Framework Every child will have a Named Person in the responsible for personal, curricular and being happy, confident and successful in school. we aim to: improve attainment, particularly in School. At Sanquhar Academy this is your child’s vocational guidance. literacy and numeracy, close the attainment gap Pupil Support Teacher. If you or your child need Parents, pupils and staff are partners in the between the most and least disadvantaged any advice or any support, the Pupil Support Your child's Pupil Support teacher should be education process and we all have a role to play. children and young people, improvement in Teacher is your first point of contact and will your main contact at Sanquhar Academy The information in this handbook should reflect children and young people's health and make sure you get the help or advice that you throughout their time with us. information that is important to you and your wellbeing and improve employability skills need. Having a Pupil Support Teacher means family to support your involvement and leading to sustained, positive school-leaver that if there is anything that could affect your Our Pupil Support Principal Teachers are: engagement in your child’s learning. Working with destinations for all young people. child’s wellbeing, he or she will receive support your Parent Council and your Headteacher we can as quickly as possible so that problems do not Ms A Menzies Duff House make sure you have the information about your We utilise every resource within our school and develop. Miss S Nisbet Wilson House school, the Education Service and our partners to community to improve outcomes for all learners. give your child the best start in life. Partnerships, Scottish Attainment Challenge and For more information on getting it right for Mr S Raikes Additional Support for Learning Pupil Equity Funding are just some of the things every child email [email protected] or visit Mrs I Miller Employability, Work Experience Yours sincerely we draw upon to support our children to realise www.dumgal.gov.uk/girfec to see the Dumfries and Positive Destinations their potential. and Galloway services plan. Gillian Brydson I look forward to working with you to support Additional Support for Learning your children into the future. Head of Education Child Protection Sanquhar Academy aims to remove barriers to Yours faithfully learning for all children with additional needs More Information on Education Services is Elaine Hetherington Cree All children have the right to be protected from through a range of provision from mainstream available at http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/schools harm, abuse and neglect. Every adult in Scotland and in our Annual Report http:// classes (with or without support) to part-time or Headteacher, Sanquhar Academy has a role in ensuring all our children and young full-time provision in a school. This commitment www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/17612/Education- people live safely and have the opportunity to Authority-Annual-Plan to meeting the needs of all children is based on reach their full potential. The vision for all the requirements of the Education (Additional children and young people in Dumfries and Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 Galloway is that they should be: safe, nurtured, amended in 2009. healthy, achieving, active, respected and responsible and included. Schools and front- What is Additional Support for Learning (ASL)? If line education and child care services will play an your child has a barrier to learning they can be important role in ensuring all children and young said to have ‘Additional Support Needs’. Chil- people are safe and well. dren may need additional support for short or long periods of time and for a variety of reasons. Further information can be found at http:// www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/16640/Support-for- Further information on the above is available children-and-families from the school or on the Council website http:// www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/16163/Additional- support-for-learning

16 3

COVID Recovery & Renewal Parental Engagement

Recovery and Renewal Remote Learning The Parent Forum Pupil Assessment Throughout Session 20 - 21 we have been If at any point a pupil is required to work from Every parent who has a child at our school is a Assessment happens all the time in schools and developing learning and supporting our pupils home, remote learning is available through member of the Parent Forum. The parent council your child’s progress will not just be based on and families during the pandemic. As we move GLOW. is a group of parents who have chosen to ‘tests’ but also on how they learn both in class represent the parent forum. As a member of the forward into session 21- 22 we have identified and in other settings. Written work will be used to Parent Forum, each parent can expect to: that remote learning will be required into the assess your child but so will their ability to take part in class discussions, make presentations, be future. At the time of writing the School  Receive information about the school and Handbook, January 21, we continue to work its activities in a production or team, produce drawings or together across the school community in a time of  Hear about what partnership with parents projects etc. Parents will be involved both fast paced change. means in our school informally in discussion with teachers, looking at  Be invited to be involved in ways and times their child’s work and also formally through As we look forward to supporting our learners that suit you Learning is provided via parent’s nights, profiles and reports. In senior into and during session 21 - 22, it is likely that  Identify issues you want the parent council Microsoft Teams. school children continue to be assessed through a there will continue to be ongoing change. We to work on with the school  Be asked your opinion by the parent range of methods to contribute towards their will, as always, continue to maintain and amend As remote learning has developed it has been council on issues relating to the school and qualifications. Health and Safety protocols to keep our school education it provides recognised it will continue community COVID secure.  Work in partnership with staff into the future to provide  Enjoy taking part in school life in whatever Changes to note: access to learning for way possible • The secondary Timetable will not change children who may have to be working from Reporting to Parents until August 21. home for a variety of reasons. Remote Learning Parent Council will continue to be a component of the Parents will receive a full progress report, The type of things the parent council may get • P7 Transition will be carried out Remotely. curriculum, to provide support for all learners containing information on their daughter's/ involved in include: into the future. son's progress in each course, at least once per session. Tracking reports will be sent out over ICT to Support Home Learning  Supporting the work of the school the course of the year to ensure parents are kept Attendance Monitoring  Gathering and representing parents’ views If a pupil is required to work from home for any aware of their child’s progress. to the Headteacher, Education Authority reason it is best if they have access to a laptop or Pupils attendance at school is monitored on an and Education Scotland ongoing basis. Please ensure, that if your child is ill Reports will be provided as follows: tablet. If your child has an issue accessing  Promoting contact between the school, appropriate ICT please advise the school office or self isolating, you inform the school office as parents, pupils and the local community 1st Year June  Fundraising and organising events and we will aim to resolve the situation if possible. soon as possible. Pupils attendance records are 2nd Year January now being recorded to reflect the period of home  Reporting to the parent forum 3rd Year January  Being involved in the appointment of learning. 4th Year November senior promoted staff. 5th/6th Yr December [email protected] Parents Evenings will be as follows: Tel : 01659 50208 http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/17608/Parental 1st Year October -Involvement for further information on Parental Involvement and Engagement and support infor- 2nd Year March mation for Parent Councils. 3rd Year March 4th Year March In addition, ALL parent Councils in Dumfries and 5th/6th Yr February Galloway have membership to CONNECT (formally SPTC). Membership includes Insurance cover and training opportunities. For more infor- Any questions arising from reports can be raised mation visit https://connect.scot/ with staff at Parents' Evenings or by appointment with your child's Pupil Support Teacher. https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk/

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Attainment & Achievement Vision & Values

Celebrating Success Wider Achievement Our Vision Our School Values Pupils’ successes are celebrated every day in the A key aspect of Curriculum for Excellence is the classroom and are regularly highlighted at acknowledgement that learning takes place in a Being Ready school assemblies. variety of locations, both inside and outside the We will work with our parents, partners and our classroom, and at different times, both within and community to help develop in all of our pupils the Trying our hardest in every lesson every day The school also promotes positive behaviour outwith the school day. capacity to be their very best. which recognises and regards pupil’s Being our best at all times achievement in their learning, in the contribution We attach a high priority to activities ouwith the We will achieve this by promoting the highest classroom as a means of contributing to our Completing tasks and not giving up that they make to the school, in their attitude aspirations and expectations for everyone and by and in citizenship. Our social media and local pupils’ education and enriching the experiences of pupils and teachers by bringing them together in creating an ethos where there is equity of newspaper articles highlight the special Being Respectful achievements of our pupils. a more informal setting thus enabling them to opportunity for all. pursue their interests together. Treating everyone respectfully and respecting

At the end of each school session an Awards At Sanquhar Academy we pride ourselves in the others’ point of view Ceremony is held to recognise the achievements number of activities we offer. There is something Being accountable for our own actions of pupils in their learning. Awards are given for for everyone to enjoy. wider achievement and academic success. Resolving differences in a positive way

Insight Analysis Being Safe We are extremely proud of the Attainment and Achievement of all our pupils. The majority of our Being considerate of the wellbeing of others attainment can be seen using Insight which measures attainment for pupils at the point of exit when they leave school. Our National Dashboard reflects the hard work of the whole school community Taking responsibility for our own actions to ensure that our children leave with the best qualifications they can. Being motivated to work independently Attainment and Achievement Data is available through Parent Zone.

#beyourbest

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Communication Homework

If you need to find something out School News At Sanquhar Academy, homework is recognised The evidence shows that as having an important role to play in the the impact of homework, In the first instance please contact our school Is available through education of pupils. It is an integral part of the on average, is five months' office. Our office staff will assist you by either the School Website and the School App. We total learning experience; enhancing learning, additional progress. answering your request for information directly recommend that all parents have access to the improving attainment, developing organisational or by arranging for someone else to call you School App. Search for Safer Schools or scan the skills, promoting independent learning and developing the good study habits that are so back. QR code below. Our School App also provides essential for examination success. Homework expectations valuable information on keeping children safe. If you have a concern The purposes of a quality homework programme In terms of quality, the key factors are that are to:- homework be appropriate, enjoyable and

Your first line of contact if you have any enhance learning. As a general guide, pupils • practice and consolidate work done in class should receive - concerns should be your child’s Pupil Support • prepare for future class-work or assessment Teacher, who can be contacted through the • provide opportunities for individualised S1-3 3-4 hours per week. For subjects on 4 school office. They are the person in the learning, effort and initiative periods per week - 30 minutes max., 3 school who has the opportunity to get to know • assess pupils' progress and mastery of work periods per week - 20 minutes max., 1 • train pupils in planning and organising time your child best. Your child’s Pupil Support period per week - 10 minutes max. • develop good study habits and to Teacher will fully investigate your concern and encourage responsibility S4 Approximately 1 hour per National will arrange to discuss the outcomes and a • provide information for parents Qualification course per week which range of solutions with you. • provide opportunities for parental should give a maximum of 6 - 8 hours cooperation and support per week.

• create channels for home/school dialogue Your child’s Pupil Support Teacher is allocated • develop research skills S5/6 2-3 hours per week per National by House either Duff or Wilson House. Qualification course, this would give a maximum of 15 hours for someone Alison Menzies (Duff House) studying 5 Higher courses.

Organisation of The type of homework given will range from Sophie Nisbet (Wilson House) written work, reading, research and study, to Homework discussions with family members and project Managing and organising work. It is not always appropriate for homework to be a written exercise. Parents can be of Parent Council homework can be challenging tremendous help by: and daunting for some pupils. However Helping the school and your child recognising the need to plan for yourself is • contacting the school if you think your

Sanquhar Academy's current Parent Council necessary for your future. daughter/son is not getting enough homework. members are: We help pupils to organise themselves using their

The Parent Zone and National Parent Forum calendar within GLOW. Many work places now Robert Gray, Fiona Hamilton, Bruce Gallacher, websites provide a range of information for par- • checking your daughter's/son's homework, Scott Gallacher, Anne Carlyle, Donald Pagan, ents including attainment and achievement data require people to have the digital literacy skills to especially when asked to do so by a Michelle Weir and Victoria Hastie. for schools around Scotland. submit what they are working on to their member of staff. managers through electronic calendars. If your The Parent Council can be contacted through https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/ child wishes to keep a paper diary for themselves • providing the atmosphere and environment the school office. necessary for effective study. https://www.npfs.org.uk/ that is their choice. The Parent Council meets once per term to Please ask your child to see their calendar in Glow discuss items related to the school. they can access this on a range of electronic

New members are always welcome to join. devices including their mobile phones.

6 13

Senior Phase - Courses The School Day

Travelling to School Timekeeping Throughout the Day Curriculum Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) gives S6 students the unique Our curricular offer in the Senior Phase is flexible Children walking or cycling to school is Registration takes place at 8.50am each day. to meet the needs of our pupils. opportunity to study a range of recommended to support their Health and Pupils are expected to arrive in good time for all university level courses in school alongside their Wellbeing. classes and any pupil who arrives late must be In Session 2020 - 2021 the courses below were other studies at SCQF Level 7 able to provide an acceptable reason for his/her offered. For children who require to use school lateness. transport, buses leave from Kirkconnel at Registration 08.50 – 08.55 SCQF Level 3 4 5 6 7 8.15am and Kelloholm 8.20am. The Wanlockhead bus leaves at 8.20am. Taxis Period 1 08.55 – 09.50 Subject/Course NAT 3 NAT 4 NAT 5 HIGHER AD. HIGHER collect children from outlying areas. Period 2 09.50 – 10.40

Administration ✓ ✓ ✓ Interval 10.40 – 10.55 Art & Design ✓ ✓ ✓ It is a parent’s responsibility to ensure their Biology ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner Period 3 10.55 – 11.50 while travelling in and alighting from the Chemistry ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Period 4 11.50 – 12.45 Design & Manufacture ✓ ✓ ✓ vehicle. Misbehaviour can result in your child

Drama ✓ ✓ losing access to school transport. Lunch 12.45 – 13.30 English ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Period 5 13.30 - 14.25 Employability ✓ ✓ ✓ Period 6 14.25 – 15.20 French ✓ ✓ ✓ Geography ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ School Uniform Graphic Communication ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ All pupils are expected to wear the following Health & Food Technology ✓ ✓ Throughout session 2021– 22 we will be consulting History ✓ ✓ ✓ with the school community on changes to the school Human Biology ✓ white shirt / blouse day. Application to Mathematics ✓ ✓ ✓ school tie We look forward to working with all stakeholders. Leadership ✓ black jumper / cardigan Mathematics ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ black skirt / trousers (but not black denim) Modern Studies ✓ ✓ black shoes / trainers Music ✓ ✓ ✓ Music Theatre NPA ✓ black jacket/ hoodie PE ✓ ✓ blazer (optional S4 / essential (S5/6) Physics ✓ ✓ Practical Woodworking ✓ Ties can be purchased from the school office at Practical Cookery ✓ a cost of £6.50. Scottish Studies ✓ ✓ PE Kit – change of top, shorts, gym shoes or College Partnership trainers (no football tops).

Information on the College Partnership courses School Clothing grants. The award of clothing School Holidays available at both Dumfries and Ayrshire College can grants is to assist with the cost of school be accessed via the college websites. clothing for families who are on a qualifying http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15239/School- benefit or on low income. The current award is https://www.dumgal.ac.uk/dumgalportal/index.php? term-and-holiday-dates £100 per child. Guidance and more information pageid=CollegeAcademy2122 is available at http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/ School Term dates have been agreed to August article/15246/School-clothing-grants 2022. Process to review will start in March 2021 for 2022-2025. https://www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/schools/

12 7

Transitions Senior Phase

Primary to Secondary Post School S4 - S6 Remote Learning Dumfries and Galloway’s vision is that all young As pupils transition into S4 - S6 they are learning Is supported across the school through GLOW A full programme of Primary / Secondary liaison people will receive an appropriate offer of post-16 within the Senior Phase. At this point pupils use Teams. We are working with Education Scotland runs throughout Primary 6 and 7 through literacy learning, training, employment or personal skills their Leaner Pathway to determine the subjects and the Digital Learning Team continually to sup- and numeracy projects. Following our P7 development with 100% positive destinations for they wish to continue to study and gain depth in- port learning and enhance our curricular offer. Information Evening in November, regular all school leavers in Dumfries & Galloway. to the chosen curricular areas. meetings are held between the three Headteachers, our own teachers and those of our https://www.dgtap.co.uk/education and https:// • Expressive arts. www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ cluster primaries to ensure that teaching, • Health and wellbeing. learning and assessment is consistent All learners are asked to identify their plans for • Languages (including English and modern lan throughout the transition process. In the the future from S3 onwards. This information is guages) summer term, members of the Senior Leadership saved by the school and can help young people • Mathematics. Team, the Additional Support for Learning choose relevant subjects as well as being passed • Religious and moral education. Department and the Pupil Support Team visit on to partner organisations to plan for pathways Attainment Expecta- both Primary Schools to introduce themselves to beyond school. Young people are asked about • Sciences. the incoming First Year pupils and to discuss the their anticipated leave date, preferred route and • Social studies. tions needs of individual pupils with our Primary preferred sectors. This information is updated • Technologies. Across S4 - S6 it is recog- colleagues. annually as young people change and consider nised that the majority of pathways. Final destinations secured on leaving Learner Pathway pupils are working at SCQF The Induction Programme also includes a three school are recorded on a leavers form. 4 - 7. The option choices that pupils make are deter- day visit to the school in June for all new First mined by the pupils learner pathway. Every year Support is available for Year pupils. During the visit, pupils in their new we refine our curricular offer based on pupils learners who require access S1 class and, through following their S1 Learner Pathway’s. to additional support for timetable, meet their new teachers. All of this learning. will help to reduce any potential anxiety about We are as flexible as possible and offer curriculum the change to secondary school in August. Widening Participation opportunities in conjunction with Partnership During session 2020 – 2021 transition activities We work in Schools, Dumfries Galloway College, Ayrshire Col- will be hosted virtually via GLOW. lege and the Open University. A number of these partnership Scottish Qualification Framework with the opportunities are based on Remote Learning. University of SCQF Framework is available at https:// Glasgow on scqf.org.uk/about-the-framework/interactive- Our Associated Primary Schools both the Top Up and Reach programmes. framework/ The University of Glasgow is committed to widening access. We believe all applicants should SANQUHAR PRIMARY have an equal chance of entry and we strive to Headteacher: L Miglis identify talent and potential, regardless of Queensberry Court background or life circumstance. To enable this, we operate a system of contextualised admissions Throughout session 2021– 22 we will be consulting Sanquhar for applicants living in Scotland. This means we with the school community on changes to the school DG4 6 consider all circumstances faced by individual curriculum. We look forward to working with all stakeholders. KELLOHOLM PRIMARY applicants, which may have prevented them meeting our standard entry requirements and Headteacher: C Storey make adjusted offers of entry accordingly. Hyslop Street Kelloholm

8 11

Broad General Education Our Staff

S1 - S3 Developing the Four Capacities Senior Leadership Team Support Staff

We continue throughout S1 - S3 with the Broad We offer a range of extra curricular activities and E Hetherington Cree Headteacher Neilian Henderson School Support Manager General Education. We utilise attainment and wider opportunities within the curriculum. S McLean Depute Headteacher Ms L Allan Administration Team Manager achievement data received from our associated As soon as possible we hope to be able to offer primaries alongside Health and Wellbeing and extra curricular activities again. D Zutic Depute Headteacher Mrs G Keggans Administration Assistant ASN needs that children have. D Hope Depute Headteacher Mrs A Graham Administration Assistant Across the timetable for S1-S2 children continue to cover the eight curricular areas - Middle Leadership Team Miss J Burns Administration Assistant

• Expressive arts. I Miller PT Pupil Support DYW K Clement Senior Learning Assistant • Health and wellbeing. A Menzies PT Pupil Support J Black Learning Assistant • Languages (including English and modern lan- guages). S Nisbet PT Pupil Support (Acting) G Wells Learning Assistant • Mathematics. S Raikes PT Learning Support K Mitchell Learning Assistant • Religious and moral education. R Tweedie PT Curriculum K Houston Learning Assistant • Sciences. • Social studies. Attainment Expectations A McGuchan PT Curriculum A Allan Learning Assistant • Technologies. Across S1-S3 it is recognised that K Mawdesley PT Widening Participation L Moore Learning Assistant

the majority of pupils are working T Dickson PT Curriculum M Hubbard Facilities Assistant at 3rd into 4th Level. G Moodie PT Curriculum J Gemmell Science Technician Support is available for learners who require access to additional Teaching Staff support for learning. M Low English I Smith Modern Languages

M Houston English N Rennie Business Studies Health and Wellbeing A Carlyle Mathematics O Rowe Physical Education Personal and Social Education E Mitchell Mathematics (0.6) C Reynolds Social Subjects S1: Introduction/Getting to know each other/ Friendships & Relationships, Healthy Lifestyles & M Robinson Science A Lambert Social Subjects My Body, Substance Misuse, Personal Safety & Road Safety (Your Call), Careers and Finance, J Slaven Science J Berry Social Subjects Identity, Resilience, Study Skills, Sleep Scotland, End of Year Review. Vacancy Science S Coleman Art & Design K Black Design & Technology (0.6) K Goodfellow RMPS (0.6) Breadth and Depth S2: Summer Safety, Intro/Your Future/Business Plan, Personal & Internet Safety, Self Esteem/ G McCulloch Design & Technology Within S3 pupils are given the chance to add Health/Body Image, Course Choices, Stereotypes breadth to their curriculum. Choices are provid- & Equality, Substance Misuse, Citizenship & ed through the pupils Learner Pathway. Pupils Antisocial Behaviour, Emotional Wellbeing, Peripatetic Staff have the opportunity to discuss the best curricu- Healthy Relationships, Respect and Consent, Resilience, Child Sexual Exploitation, End of Year We also have a range of support staff from across Dumfries and Galloway who come into school to lar pathway for them based on their skills profile Review. support our pupils. and achievement to date with their pupil support Youth Work/School Councillor - Stef Maurer teacher. S3: Road Safety (Crash Magnets), LGBTQ+ (FIT, Visibility Matters & RSHP), RSHP, Sleep Scotland, Police Scotland - PC Adair Careers, Financial Education, Substance Misuse, End of Year Review. Skills Development Scotland

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