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• January School Return

  Thu 31 Dec 2020 Mrs Gourley

  Dear Parent,

   

  I have received communication this morning that there will be changes to the restart arrangements for school next week – primary school pupils will be taught remotely next week, returning on Monday 11^th January to face to face teaching.

   

  Minister Weir has indicated that this late change has been necessary due to unprecedented levels of positive Covid-19 tests since Christmas, and the pressure this applies to our health service”.

  The communication also indicated that schools remain open for supervised learning for children of key workers only.

   

   If you feel you have no other options and would like to request your child be sent into school, please email me on Monday morning by 10.00am. (agourley610@c2kni.net) I will then be able to spend Monday on our staff development day considering these requests. Please indicate in your email: your eligibility under the key worker definitions, your place of employment and which days you may require supervision.

   

  Key worker is defined as “A child of a key worker for whom both parents (or a parent in a single parent family) is a key worker, with no other safe alternative.

  On Monday, I will then confirm if we can facilitate your child in school for supervision. Please do not send your child to school on Tuesday if you have not received confirmation from me for attendance.

   

  I must also stress, this is not active teaching. The children will be supervised only in their completion of the home learning activities that will be provided to all pupils. Teachers will be working in school to update daily lessons remotely for all children. Each teacher will contact their pupils on Monday morning via See Saw to outline the week’s remote learning plans that all pupils will be expected to engage in.

   

  The announcement also indicated that exams due to take place “will be facilitated, compliant with public health guidance”. This would seem to suggest that AQE will proceed as planned for P7 pupils.

  I have, however, been informed by DE that under no circumstances should P7 be brought in for AQE tuition.

   

  Having our Primary 7s at home before the first test may actually ensure that more pupils will be safe to sit the first paper as the risk of a class having to self-isolate is removed. I know many parents had already considered doing this.  Our P7 teachers will be working very hard to support the pupils remotely during this time, with the aim of keeping them feeling confident and calm for the assessments ahead.

   

  While it is disappointing that we have had to change arrangements at this last minute, the levels of new cases in our community have made it essential.

  I hope you have remained well over the past two weeks and continue to stay safe in these difficult days. Our children’s education is always our priority but we must also put the safety and well-being of the children and staff first.

   

  Parents with any questions or worries are welcome to contact me at the school number 028 90471274 from Monday 4^th January.

   

  Mrs A. Gourley