Dear parent,

I trust you have been able to enjoy a relaxing Christmas break and that you have some nice things planned for the last few days of the holidays.

Today, you will have noticed coverage in the news and on social media regarding plans for school closure during the week beginning Monday 4th January, which was our planned day of return. The fact that this news has been drip fed to Principals via the news and social media is very frustrating and means that I am still trying to get my head around what all of this means and what our plans for next week look like. Your patience is appreciated while we figure out where we go from here.

I have this morning been in touch with Mr Halliday, our Vice-Principal, and we plan to take the time today to examine the guidance given by the Department of Education, and to liaise tomorrow morning regarding our plans for next week. Consequently, I will be in touch at some point tomorrow with the plans for next week. Please keep an eye on your inbox by late afternoon/early evening. 

Below is what we definitely know at this stage:

School will be closed to most pupils next week, commencing Monday 4th January
At this stage. the Minister for Education has indicated that school will resume for all pupils on Monday 11th January. 
'Supervised Learning' will be available to vulnerable children and children of key workers during the week beginning Monday 4th January.
A reminder of 'key workers' and an application for your child to avail of key worker provision will be included in tomorrow's final information. 
Schools have been granted an additional day to make preparations. I envisage that day will be Monday 4th January for Gilnahirk. You should not expect any key worker provision or online learning provision for that day. 
At this stage, we have no confirmation about school meals for next week, but hopefully that clarity will come soon. 
Due to an anticipated large number of emails, I am unable to reply individually at this stage. All information required will be given via whole school emails.

I wish that I could be more certain at this point, but hope that this email gives some assurance that we are in the process of putting together our plans. 

With warm regards and New Year wishes 

D Corbett 

Principal.