Covid19 Information

All students will receive training and information in the first 2 weeks back which relates to the new procedures they need to adapt to. This training will be taking place in Tutor time, SPHE classes and assemblies. Parents/Guardians will also receive the information that students receive.

The main thrust of the message is that there are new procedures that students need to learn and stick to. It’s about personal responsibility – that applies to all.

When students arrive in the morning they must go to their BASE CLASS and will be allowed to access lockers and toilets according to new guidelines.

Class Layouts have been changed in order to ensure 1 meter social distancing between students and 2 meters between teacher and students. Pictures of some of the classes will be placed below when finished.

The Department of Education has now said that all students and teachers must wear protective masks in school. Please ensure that your daughter/son arrives to school each day with their PPE mask.

Corridor interactions will be minimised. Students may not stop to chat to other students on corridors. There is to be not hugging or other forms of physical contact in the school.

Toilets will be restricted to 2 people at a time. Some sinks have been blocked off in order to maintain social distancing. Hand sanitisers are positioned so students can sanitise hands upon leaving the toilets. Extra toilets have been upgraded for the new school year.

There will be strict new rules on locker access. Students may not go to lockers under any circumstances unless during a designated time.

Social distancing of 1 meter must be adhered to around lockers.

Students will still have their morning break but they will be staggered at different times so the whole school will not be taking their break at the same time.

Certain year groups will be allowed use the lunch tables in the assembly halls for the first half of the break and the other year groups can use the lunch tables in the assembly halls during the second half of the break.

Students are permitted around the grounds of the school as normal but must adhere to Social Distancing at all times.

The advice from the Department of Education is that school uniforms do not need to be washed every day.

We will inform all students and parents/guardians of new Discipline Procedures which specifically deal with issues around Covid19. That may mean students who are not following new guidelines or students who are engaging in unwanted behaviour which places other peoples’ health at risk.

There is a Draft Code of Behaviour Addition which can be found here.

Competitions are postponed for the moment until we receive further updates on how student can safely travel to these events.

Training for different sports will hopefully take place in late September but under specific conditions related to Covid19 guidelines.

Students will arrive in the morning in their tracksuit on those days that they have PE or a sporting event. Students will not be able to change before or after PE so will stay in the tracksuit. Specific instructions will be given by the teacher relating to the safety measures in place for PE.

There will be no sharing of equipment in those classes.

There will be no cooking together in Home Ec.

When using Goggles for Science/Woodwork the students will use their own Goggles which the school will provide and students must keep safe.

When using aprons in Home Ec/Science/Woodwork/Art students will be given disposable aprons.

Equipment will need to be wiped down after use with antiseptic wipes which we will provide. Students will be asked to help in this.

Teachers will give more subject specific instructions when these classes start.

All parents wishing to come to the school must call and make an appointment.

If you wish to collect someone from the school you must ring in advance and arrange this with whoever is on front desk.

Parents may not arrive at school without prior notice.

If you have travelled to another country other than those on the Government Green List then you must restrict your movements for 14 days after returning. Therefore, if you have returned from one of those countries after August 17th August then you must inform the school and students may not return to school until they are back 14 full days. The Government Green List can be found here.

We will text/email/post on social media when we have important updates for all students/parents/guardians to be aware of. You will be directed to this webpage for the latest news.

If you have any common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should self-isolate and phone your GP straight away to get a coronavirus test.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include:

• a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
• a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show.

DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL WITH SYMPTOMS!

Getting an early diagnosis from your GP means you can get the help you need and take steps to avoid spreading the virus, if you have it.

This is the HSE Page on Symptoms and how to compare with colds/flu etc.

If you are in school:

• report straight away to the Principal/Deputy Principal.
• the school will then follow specific guidelines given to us by the Department of Health.

If you are not in school:

• contact your GP immediately for further advice.
• inform the school of any developments or advice from the GP re Covid testing.