A letter from Mrs Gourley

 

Dear Parents,

It is our aim in Victoria Park to provide a safe environment for your child. I wish to advise you that we are taking all possible steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of the pupils and staff from the effects of Coronavirus (Covid-19).

My staff have been following the advice of the Public Health Agency by ensuring effective hand-washing takes place and my cleaners continue a heightened level of sanitising all areas of the school every day.

According to recent ministerial announcements, schools will close sometime soon.

To date:

• There have not been any positive cases reported to me.
• No school staff have displayed symptoms as outlined by PHA guidance
• Schools will remain open until we are directed to do otherwise.

However, as a precaution and in preparation for a rapidly changing situation:

• As a school we have already significant preparations in place for an online Learning Zone for all pupils which can accessed through our website. Details will follow.
• Staff will continue to update this throughout the closure.
• AQE Practice folders will be sent home with P6 pupils wishing to prepare for this.
• There will be no educational outings or visits.
• Unplanned visitors will not be allowed in the school.
• Parent interviews planned for week beginning 23rd March will be postponed until a later date.
• There will be NO teacher-led after school clubs this week to allow staff to prepare work for pupils in the event of closure. Waiting Club only will go ahead. There will be no Monkeynastix, tennis or clubs led by external visitors.
• There will be no visitors or external agencies allowed in to lead assemblies.
• There will be no swimming until further notice.
• Pupils are asked not to bring school bags, book bags or any unnecessary items to school. Only packed lunch will be required for those who don’t take school dinners.  Homework will therefore also be cancelled.

Please note:
Unless informed otherwise by Government / Dept of Education, school will reopen on Wednesday 18th March.

Pupils displaying symptoms should NOT be sent to school.
Parents of pupils with underlying medical conditions should consider if they wish to send their child to school - a special code will be used to approve absence.

Parents who are concerned about infection being brought home to high risk family members and elderly relatives may choose to keep their child from school  - this code will also be recorded if you contact school.

Thank you for your understanding at this difficult and very worrying time.

Andrea Gourley

Principal