Dear Parents/guardians,
I hope that you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well during these weeks. I have been so impressed by how strong and co-operative our pupils have been over the past few weeks, and myself and the staff draw great inspiration from their positivity, happiness and sense of fun. Thanks to each and every one of them for doing such a great job!
Covid 19
We are grateful to everyone for your continued co-operation at drop-off and pick-up times. Both wearing a mask and leaving the yard promptly helps to keep all of us a little safer. To keep the number of people in the yard at a minimum, please remember that only one parent/guardian should do drop-off or pick-up. However, as you are no doubt aware from this week’s news, the number of cases continue to rise at an alarming rate nationally. Indeed, there have been a small number of positive cases in our school. I know that this is an anxious time for all of us. You have my reassurance and that of my colleagues on the staff that we are closely following all public health measures. Our priority is to keep everyone safe and happy including pupils, staff and parents.
To make sure that we can continue to do that, and mindful of the increased restrictions, we will be implementing a slight change in the mornings. After the Mid Term Break from Monday 2nd of November, we are asking parents to bring their children to the green gates at either side of the school yard where 8 teachers will welcome children and escort them to their respective line on yard. We ask that parents refrain from entering the school yard in the mornings from that point.
We continue to update our school’s COVID-19 Response Plan in accordance with national and local developments, and this change is consistent with this. As you know, we are prioritising safety for everyone, especially our pupils, and are doing everything in our power to achieve this. We are in this together and I thank you in advance for your understanding and your co-operation in achieving this.
As part of this plan, where children are asked to isolate at home due to a Covd-19 positive case, we continue to support children’s learning remotely. Teachers engage with children and parents via Seesaw daily and continue to teach the curriculum, albeit through a different means. Decisions around advising pupil, teachers, or other school staff to restrict their movements/isolate at home are made solely by the HSE Department of Public Health. We will always continue to follow and implement their advice.
Halloween Celebration
Unfortunately, due to COVIID-19 restrictions, we cannot hold a Spooky WOW walk this year. However, we still want to make sure that we mark Hallowe’en in a fun way for our pupils. Therefore, we are asking children to dress up and wear costumes to school on Friday 23rd October and donate €2 per child/€5 per child to the Fr Peter McVerry Trust. Please send into your child’s class teacher in a labelled envelope. This is a very deserving charity that supports those affected by homelessness. On the day, all pupils will also receive a spooky present from the Parents Association.
Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment
We are currently updating our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment. You can view our current policy on our website here and we welcome input from you and all members of the school community.
Wet Days
On wet mornings, we ask that children enter the school via the junior/senior school hall door as appropriate. Parents are asked not to enter the school building.
School Entrance
Please be mindful to keep the school entrance clear of vehicles in the mornings.
Thanks again for all your support. I have been made so welcome since joining and am grateful for all the good wishes I have received.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Teresa Moynihan
Principal