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Newsletter 2nd February 2021

School Closure
Unfortunately there are not any prospects of school reopening in the short term. We have yet to meet one parent or teacher who does not want ‘normal’ school to resume. It looks like it may be some time in March, but there is no more definite available information available to us. Until then, we will all have to try to make the best of it.

Thank You
Thanks to our pupils (and their long-suffering parents) for doing their best to stay in touch with their school work. We know it’s far from easy and that motivation can wane at times. It can be a lesson in itself – to stick at something even when you feel at times like giving up. Things change and it will be worth it in the long run!

Acceptable Use
Please note our policy for all in the school community who are communicating online. Almost all of our pupils are engaging with their work through Aladdin Connect. Some pupils also took part in video calls with their teachers last week. Over the next week or so, class teachers will organise similar calls for all pupils. These will take the form of ‘check-ins’ and will be an opportunity for pupils and teachers to see each other. We are aware that specific times do not suit everyone, so people may opt in if they wish. Remember again that our Acceptable Use policy applies at all times.

Parish News
It is still hoped to hold Communion and Confirmation before the school year ends. It does look likely that if the cermonies can take place, they will be in smaller gatherings. As with everything else these days though, it is impossible to be in any way sure about what will be possible.

Some Words on Resilience
“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” Elizabeth Edwards

Enrolments 2021/22
Applications for enrolment for the coming year are now being accepted online. The closing date is this Friday, 5th February. Please click here to apply.

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In Person Supplementary Programme

The Department of Education has announced the roll out of the  ‘In-person Supplementary Programme to Support the Education and/or Care Needs of Pupils with Complex Needs’ scheme. Participation in the programme is voluntary for families, teachers and SNAs and must be delivered in accordance with public health advice.

What is the Supplementary Programme?
Parents can engage SNAs/teachers/tutors to work in a student’s home, at evenings and weekends, outside of school hours.

An allocation of 5 hours per week of home-based teaching or care supports will be made available to eligible pupils commencing the 11th February and running until the end of April. (20 hours in total) To give parents every chance to participate in the scheme, the Department will allow parents to arrange for the delivery of any of the unused balance of the 20 hours of support, over the Easter break.

This allocation is intended to supplement, and not replace, the remote teaching provided by the pupil’s school and can be provided by a teacher or SNA

Who is Eligible?

All pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes in primary schools

Pupils in mainstream classes in primary schools, who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support in school (i.e. School Support Plus/Support for a Few stage of the Continuum of Support) This will include pupils with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were eligible for the summer programme of 2020.

I am unsure if my child is eligible.
Check with your child’s teacher, SET teacher or the principal if you want to find out if your child is eligible for this program.

I am interested in participating in the programme. How can I find a teacher/SNA to work with my child?

Similar to the department’s home based summer programme, parents will engage teachers/SNAs directly in a private arrangement.

If a parent is having difficulty finding someone to provide the  programme – please contact the school. We will endeavour  to put you in contact with any teachers or SNAs who are interested in participating in the programme.

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Enrolment / Admissions

Applications to enrol are being accepted until 3 p.m. on Friday, 5th February 2021. Please complete this form if you wish to enrol your child for the  2021/22 school year.

Any applications after that date will be considered as late enrolments.

The school will contact you in due course with further details. When your child has been enrolled, additional information will be required.

Thank you.

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Newsletter 8th January 2021

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year to you all. Unfortunately we are back where none of us wanted to be, making the best of a bad lot with children and parents stuck at home. We all dearly hope that this will be for a shorter time than last year.

The teachers will be in touch with you in the coming days regarding how we can try to keep the children learning while away from the school.

We know from last year that it is very difficult for pupils to be apart from their friends and routine and for parents trying to balance the demands of working from or running a home while trying to encourage their children to stay in touch with their schoolwork. It’s also hard for teachers trying to provide some form of education remotely, when the very nature of teaching is based on the relationship in the classroom.

From next week, your child’s teacher will be regular contact through Aladdin. They will set some work to be completed each day. Teachers will provide feedback and will be in touch with some audio and/or video messages on a regular basis. Each teacher can also be contacted by email.

We know that not everyone has an ideal situation at home. We are aware of quite a few cases of the virus currently in the immediate school community and hope that everyone makes a full recovery. While we want to make your life as easy as possible, we cannot open the school until that decision is made for us. Nonetheless, it is important that your child engages with the work provided so that we can pick up quickly when we do return. How we all wish that to be as soon as possible!

Don’t forget to turn off all screens for a period each day and get out into the fresh air when you can. Our physical and mental health are linked.

Care for yourselves as best you can and stay safe.