School update and work packs ready for collection on Monday 22nd February

18 February 2021

Dear parents/carers,

School update from the Northern Ireland Executive

This afternoon the Northern Ireland Executive announced that there will be a phased return of pupils to school in March. As yet we have received no official information to school but I am writing to parents to explain my understanding of what is likely to happen based on the news this afternoon. 

Nursery and primary school pupils in P1 to P3 will return to full-time face-to-face teaching from Monday 8th to Friday 19th March 2021. From Monday 22nd to Friday 26th March 2021 remote learning will resume for all pupils in Nursery and primary school pupils in P1 to P3. The Northern Ireland Executive has stated that this is to enable the return of some pupils in post primary.

Primary 4 to Primary 7 pupils will continue with remote learning until Friday 26th March when the Easter holidays begin. 

We as a school have been advocating for some time for a full return for all pupils as the best possible way forward. However this afternoon's announcement does not mean that all of our pupils will be returning at the one time but it will be gradual return. The Education Minister said today that his main objective was a full return of all pupils to school as soon as practicably possible after the Easter break, but this had to be balanced against the public health position.

Here is an outline of what is likely to happen over the incoming weeks:

Week beginning Tuesday 23rd February - Friday 26th February

Week beginning Monday 1st March - Friday 5th March

Week beginning Monday 8th March - Friday 12th March

Week beginning Monday 15th March - Friday 19th March

Week beginning Monday 22nd March - Friday 26th March

Easter holidays Monday 29th March - Friday 9th April

  • All pupils off school on their Easter holidays and school is closed.

This is far from an ideal situation but we are looking forward to welcoming back our Nursery to Primary 3 pupils back to full-time face-to-face teaching on 8th March. I will keep parents and carers informed of any information that is released by the Department of Education and Education Authority.

Work packs ready for collection on Monday 22nd February for all pupils from 9.30am - 2pm

The next learning work packs are available for collection for all pupils on Monday 22nd February from 9.30am - 2pm from the Queenora Avenue entranceIf it does not suit you to collect the work packs on Monday 22nd February you can collect the work pack any day between 9am to 3pm.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs K Taylor