Back to School - Covid Advice.

20th Aug 2021

We have received guidance from the Department of Education to facilitate our children returning to school on Wednesday 1st September.

Main points for your information:

"Educational settings are no longer required to operate a system of formal protective bubbles. However, the need for educational settings to continue to support effective contact tracing means that they are asked to maintain a cautious and measured approach that still seeks to maximise the time where pupils are within a consistent group of pupils."

So no "bubbles" but in St Brigid's, due to our accommodation issues, class sizes are being kept small to protect our children:

CLASS SIZES 2021/22

Primary 1	25
Primary 1/2	21
Primary 2	24
Primary 3A	19
Primary 3B	20
Primary 4	32
Primary 5	35
Primary 6	28
Primary 7A	23
Primary 7B	23

In St Brigid's we are delighted that we will be operating a new Autism Specific Class also this year.

Pupils will return to having lunch in the Assembly Hall.

Pupils can bring in a school bag and stationery.

Adults should stay outside the school grounds, wear a mask and remain socially distanced at 2m. Please park at the chapel car park and use the services of Danny to cross the road safely. Cars are not permitted to stop at the school gates to drop-off children.

We will continue to operate a staggered intake in the mornings:

SURNAME A - L 9.00am

SURNAME M - O 9.05am

SURNAME P - Y 9.10am

To assist with social distancing, pupils will use a variety of entrances, often using the fire doors of their classrooms. Staff will be on hand to assist children to enter by the correct door.

We will continue with increased handwashing and respiratory hygiene measures.

As we will be maximising the use of outdoor learning you are asked to ensure that your child brings a coat to school each day.

Remember we have two young pupils who are clinically extremely vulnerable, so please help us to keep these children (and indeed our whole school community) safe and healthy.

We need the support of our parents to enable us to provide a safe environment in St Brigid's PS. The full Department of Education guidance can be read on the DE website www.deni.gov.uk or you can read a shortened version on our Documents page.

If you have any queries the school re-opens for staff training from Thursday 26th August.

Thank you for your patience and hopefully 2021/22 will be a successful and happy year for everyone.