Ballynahinch Primary School and Nursery Unit

Dear Parent / Guardian,

Firstly, thank you all for your understanding & support following the need for today’s School Development Day being called at such short notice, it was greatly appreciated. Yesterday I met with the Ballynahinch Area Primary Principals to discuss how we all intend to respond to the COVID-19 virus to ensure the health & safety of our pupils, their families and our staff.

At this stage we are continuing to follow the guidance given to us by the Department of Education and schools remain open to pupils until we have been told otherwise. With this in mind, there are some immediate changes that are being introduced:

• As per PHA and Department of Education advice, If your child has recently developed a cough or is unwell please keep them at home. Further advice can be found here - https://www.eani.org.uk/school-management/health-safety/coronavirus-covid-19;
• In order to limit the number of people in the school building, at the beginning of the day Nursery and Primary 1 pupils will be collected from their normal entrances by their teacher. Parents / Guardians must remain outside;
• All pupils must ensure they come equipped to school with all the appropriate resources (pencils, pens etc.) as children will no longer be sharing in the classroom.

As I have previously said the health and wellbeing of our children is paramount in our thoughts and if you chose to keep your child at home during this period of uncertainty, we understand. I would though point out that we have been instructed by the Department of Education not to send school work home until such times as the schools are officially closed.

Finally, I would like you all to know that despite the conflicting advice coming from our Executive, Downing Street & the Department of Education about ‘mass gatherings’, my staff will continue to offer your child the best possible learning experiences in what are very difficult circumstances. They have been preparing resources as best they can for the time when the schools are closed and they will be in contact with parents regarding what you will be receiving when that time comes. Please continue to support them, they are very saddened at the thought of not seeing your children for an unknown number of weeks, each of my staff has approached me individually to comment on how they intend to ensure ‘their children’ continue to receive the best education they can whilst not in school.

I will continue to keep you all up to date on any developments and advice from the Department of Education involving this rapidly changing situation and urge you all to keep yourself and your family safe and well.

Thank you for your continuing support,

Mr M. Moore

Principal