Latest News

Collection of Pupil Reports, Class allocation, Transition arrangements

Fri 19 Jun 2020

19^th June 2020

Dear Parents / Guardians

Covid 19 & Remote Learning

I hope you are all staying safe and keeping well. As we approach the end of this school year and reflect on the events of the past thirteen weeks, I hope that you as a family will have some positive memories of this unique time spent with your children.

We as a staff want to thank you for your support and encouraging comments received over the past thirteen weeks. It has undoubtedly been a great challenge for you as parents/ guardians and we applaud the effort and commitment you have shown. We appreciate the very positive responses received in our recent survey and your comments have been very useful as we plan for the autumn term. A copy of the survey conclusions will be published on the school website shortly. A special word of thanks to our pupils for the hard work and great effort they too have made through the work packs and online programs.

I also want to commend our teaching staff, assisted by the classroom assistants for the level of dedication and hard work they too have demonstrated during this period of school closure. Remote learning has indeed been a challenge that none of us were prepared for but both school staff and all our school families have successfully risen to the challenge.

We look forward to meeting you all in September 2020; as the next school year begins, with optimism and excitement for the future. There is no doubt that the school's teaching and learning will take on a different format and timetables will need adjustment. Despite the fact that we haven’t yet received any definite guidance or directive about the arrangements for next year, we are confident that children will pick up on their learning from where they left off and staff will continue to nurture and help pupils to progress to the next stage in their educational journey.

Annual Reports - Nursery

These reports record progress under the following headings: Personal/Social/Emotional Development; Language Development; Physical Development and Movement; ArtEarly Mathematical Development and The World Around Us.

Annual Reports - P1 – P7

Please find the enclosed copy of your child’s Annual Report. Unfortunately, we’re all aware that we didn’t have an opportunity to finish the school year as planned. As a result, all the normal end of year check-ups and assessments haven’t been completed and we can’t verify exactly what progress pupils have made over the course of the year. The pupils’ reports, therefore, reflect the progress which the children had been making up until 13th March 2020.

This year, we have again revised the Annual Report format used to report children’s progress and achievements. The reports include statements of progress in Literacy, Language, Numeracy and Mathematics and General Comments. For other areas of the curriculum, we have allocated grades that best describe how the children are achieving. We have also included graded sections for concentration, behaviour, effort, application and attendance. Mrs Corey has provided additional reports for the children that she has worked with throughout the year. We hope you find the Report an accurate account of your child’s performance and progress over the past year.

Collection of Annual Reports, books, folders and summer packs

To bring to a conclusion this school term, the teachers have put together the children's exercise books, work books and other pieces of work they have completed during the course of the school year as well as additional work for the summer months, on request. This package will also contain the end of year reports. We invite you and your child to meet the teachers and classroom assistants in the school playground. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, we have allocated the following collection schedule:

Date	Time	Classes	Teachers
Mon 22^nd June	6.00pm – 8.00pm	Primary 3 & 4	Mrs C Hendry & Miss A Owens
Tues 23^rd June	10.00am –12.00pm	Nursery	Miss E McElduff
	1.00pm – 3.00pm	Naíscoil and Rang 1 &2:	Mrs S McAleer/O’Neill & Miss N Gillespie
	6.30pm – 8.00pm	Primary 3 & Rang 3/4	Mrs F Canavan & Miss S McElroy
Wed 24^th June	10.00am – 12.00 noon	Primary 1/2	Miss Miss E Deery
	1.00pm– 3.00pm	Primary 1 & Primary 2	Mrs T Rogers & Miss M Dobbs
	3.30pm – 5.30pm	Primary 6 & 7 & Rang 7	Miss M Treanor, Mrs R Donnelly & Mrs M McKee
Thurs 25^th June	10.00am – 12.00pm	Primary 5 & 6 & Rang 5	Mr M Donnelly, Mr E O’Neill & Mrs G Strain

If you have any school library books, accelerated reading books or class reading books at home we would be grateful if you could return these books when you call at the school to collect the children's folders.

Class Allocations for September 2020

In sorting classes we generally use chronological order as the main criterion with adjustments due to special circumstances. These may include: children with additional needs, behavioural issues, gender balance and friendship groupings which may be particularly relevant this year. Teachers spend a lot of time considering the special circumstances within their classes and use their professional judgement in sorting classes, sometimes considering information which cannot be shared publically. We trust that parents recognise teachers’ efforts in this regard and trust their judgement.

Transition arrangements

All classes will be updated on Seesaw and your child’s new teacher will be in contact with their new classes before the end of term. We have included ‘Seesaw invite’ instructions with this letter. Teachers in Nursery, Primary One and Rang a hAon will provide a virtual induction this year including video clips, photographs of staff and the classroom settings.

Primary Seven and Rang a Seacht Transition

Father O’Neill will be celebrating a special "Leavers Mass" for Primary Seven and Rang a Seacht children on Friday 26^th June going live from St Colmcille’s Church at 1.00pm and we hope that you can all tune in. We have also organised a "Drive In” Prizegiving ceremeny for year 7 children will take place on Monday 29th June at 7.00pm on the school’s football pitch.

Reopening the school in the autumn term

The Department of Education has just advised that:

Primary Seven /Rang a Seacht and children with special circumstances will commence during the week beginning 24^th August.
children should be kept in ‘protective bubbles’ one metre from each other. Given the small rooms in the school, class sizes will therefore be limited to a maximum of fifteen pupils per class each day.

We will keep you informed of the arrangements for the autumn term when we receive clearer guidance from DE. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. If you would like to discuss any issue contained in this letter or your child’s report, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Mr P Cush

Principal

Remote Learning: Parents' feedback survey

Wed 20 May 2020

Dear parents
We are now in the tenth week of remote learning and we're still adjusting to the “new” normal and the things we used to take for granted aren’t possible for now like Sunday mass, school runs, Sacramental preparation, playing in the park or watching our local teams. We face many challenges as we cope with new ways of working, home schooling and caring for vulnerable family members.

On behalf of the school’s governors, I’d like to thank staff, parents, pupils and the community for the very positive and flexible response to the challenges as typified by the Termon C19 Response team's provision of PPE equipment for local essential workers. I hope you and your families remain healthy as we continue to respond to the lockdown.

Since the school closed, we have being refining how we work so as to support you in facilitating children’s independent learning by using monthly work packs and Seesaw as our main strategies. I now feel this is an appropriate time to review these arrangements. I'm seeking the views of teachers, parents and children about remote learning. I’d particularly like to know what’s going well, what challenges you face and what you'd like to improve in relation to:
•   Internet connectivity
•   Access to computer/ iPad etc
•   Challenges associated with remote learning
•   Use of Seesaw

Realistically, we don’t know when the school will return to the “old” normal. There are suggestions that phased reopening may commence in the autumn term so your feedback is important in helping us to support you and your child. PLEASE COMPLETE A SEPARATE SURVEY FOR EACH CHILD IN THE SCHOOL.

All parents received a ex message with a direct link to the survey. If you have difficulty accessing the link, please contact the school and an alternative link will be provided.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey which will help us and for your continued support in these most challenging times.

Yours sincerely

Peter Cush
Principal

ADMISSIONS SEPTEMBER 2020: NOTIFICATION OF PLACEMENTS

Thu 23 Apr 2020

Given the uncertainty of the current situation, the Education Authority will issue 'notification of placement' letters for P1 and Pre-School to parents to arrive on 29 April 2020.

As it is possible that due to Covid-19 that some post may take longer to deliver than usual, the EA's Admissions Portal will be opened on Wednesday 29 April and parents can log in to view their child’s placement. Guidance on how to log in and access placement offers will be accessible on the EA website.

If you are accepting the place, we would appreciate if you could email the school at fconnolly588@c2kni.net to confirm your acceptance.

Further induction information about the induction arrangements will be forwarded later.

Should you require any further advice, the EA's Admissions staff will be available via the Helpdesk:- Telephone number 028 9598 5595, available from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

3rd HOME PACKS: COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Thu 23 Apr 2020

We hope that you and your family are well at this difficult time and that the children have been progressing well through the second pack of work and are looking forward to the next pack which can be collected from the covered area in the playground.

The packs will be available as follows:

Friday 24^th April: R1&2, R3&4, P1, P3, P4 & Mr O'Neill's P5-6.

Friday 1^st May: Other Key Stage 2 classes.

To facilitate social-distancing and limit congestion, we advise that, where possible, that you use the allocated times to collect the packs:

Surnames	Time slots
A to F	9.00am to 10.00am
G to L	10.00am to 11.00am
M to O	11.00am to 12.00 noon
P to S	1.00pm to 2.00pm
T to Z	2.00pm to 3.00pm
Open session	3.00pm to 5.00pm
Reception	5.00pm to 9.00pm

After 5.00pm, the remaining packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.

A few points to remember:

This is an unprecedented emergency impacting on the whole world but what each of us does can make a difference.
While this 'new' normal presents many challenges, this phase will pass more quickly if we all practice safe-distancing and hand hygiene.
We all want to be back at work but this can only be done in a manner that doesn't facilitate the spread of the infection in the community.
Please connect your child's teacher if you aren't sure about any aspect of the work sent home.
Keep the Health Care workers in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

St Colmcille's Church on Tues 31st at 8.00pm. Important announcement

Tue 31 Mar 2020

** Important Public Announcement **

The Termon C19 Response team will be doing a short but very important live broadcast from St Colmcille's Church Carrickmore on Tuesday ' 31st at 8.00pm.

During this broadcast we will have the local church leaders and a representative from Carrickmore Health Centre present. We will use this broadcast to communicate some of the things that are happening locally within the parish, including the new dedicated helpline that we ask everyone to avail of. We ask for all in the parish of Termonmaguirc to tune in to this broadcast via the St Colmcille’s Church webcam:

http://www.termonmaguircparish.com/churches/church-of-st-colmcille-carrickmore/

or watch via facebook live on the TermonCovid Response facebook page.

Please share this message on all social platforms to help us raise awareness.

#stay safe

#In this together

Direct payments to families on Free School Meals

Thu 26 Mar 2020

The Department of Communities and Department of Education and the Education Authority plan to ensure that low income families and vulnerable people get the vital support they need in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Families will receive £2.70 per child per day for each day of term the schools are closed. This money will be paid to families on a fortnightly basis.

Education Minister, Peter Weir said: “These families will be contacted via a text message early next week and advised to complete an online form which will then be available on the Education Authority website. It is vital that people respond to any request from the Education Authority, to avoid delay in payment.

2nd Home packs ready for collection

Thu 26 Mar 2020

Dear parents

I hope you and your family are well at this difficult time.

This can be a stressful and overwhelming time for everyone especially with the children being at home for this prolonged period without the opportunity to avail of all the sporting and social activities that are available in Carrickmore. And if that wasn’t enough, we are sending work home for the children to add to the pressure.

We hope that the children have been progressing through the first pack of work and are looking forward to the second pack which will be ready for collection tomorrow, Friday 27^th March from the covered area in the playground. To facilitate social-distancing and limit congestion, we have set out times for you to collect the packs:

Surnames	Time slots
A to F	9.00am to 10.00am
G to L	10.00am to 11.00am
M to O	11.00am to 12.00 noon
P to S	1.00pm to 2.00pm
T to Z	2.00pm to 3.00pm
Open session	3.00pm to 5.00pm

After 5.00pm, the remaining packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.

A few points to remember:

This is not homeschooling; at best this is distance learning. This is an unprecedented emergency impacting on the whole world so it’s important to keep perspective.
You are and always have been your child’s main educators. If you decide that your child isn’t going to engage in anything sent home from school and is going to play in the garden, dig for bugs, read books etc; that’s your right so don’t stress or worry about this.
We are all working differently, we’re trying to be helpful but we could well be bombarding you with work that you don’t have time to look at. You don’t need to check out every suggested website.
It’s difficult to do distance learning with primary-aged children. The focus is on revision as far as possible because it’s impossible to teach new concepts in this format.
Every child learns differently so don’t fret if all your children don’t respond positively to the home packs. Give yourself and them a break, do some baking, let them play games and send them outside and remind them how important it is not to mix with other children.
You are doing enough by supporting them through this difficult time. Look after yourself and minimize stress as much as possible.

We will continue to try to support the children over the coming weeks.

You are doing enough by supporting them through this difficult time. Look after yourselves and minimize stress as much as possible.

Yours sincerely

Peter Cush

Principal

COVID-19:

Sat 21 Mar 2020

Please read this important advice below.

COVID-19: Supporting Children of Key Workers

Fri 20 Mar 2020

Supporting Children of Key Workers

Dear parents

Further to the Minister for Education’s announcement yesterday that schools are to remain open as Child Care Centres for children of key workers, there is still a lot of ambiguity about the necessary arrangements to limit potential the spread of the Coronavirus in schools which are; by their very nature, ideal environments for spreading infection.

Medical experts remind us that the overriding priority is to reduce the spread of the virus through social distancing and effective hygiene. That’s why churches, schools and sporting organisations are closed.

You too can play your part; limit contact with people outside your immediate family; limit unnecessary journeys; avoid crowded spaces; practice good hand washing hygiene; spend precious time with your children and keep in contact with your child’s teacher as they endeavour to support you through home packs and seesaw interactions.

At this time, we are mindful of the additional pressures and expectations on medical and caring professions. As a community, we will seek to support the frontline service workers; doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, etc to enable them to help the most vulnerable people.

Given the very small number of children who require the service in rural areas, it is now proposed that central locations for children will be arranged in towns. More information about this will be given to the key workers in our area.

We will practice social distancing by keeping staff and children’s numbers very low and insisting that there is no direct contact between them so it will be nothing like a ‘normal’ school day.

I would appreciate if you could let me know if you think that you qualify for key workers’ Child Care places. Please complete the table below and return by email to pcush286@c2kni.net or leave a message on the school’s answer machine to confirm the necessary information.

Following anticipated clarification from DE, we will plan arrangements for staff rotas, children’s timetable, safeguarding, sanitary, play and lunchtime etc.

I would also advise that sending children to school could potentially facilitate the transfer of the virus so only use the service if you would otherwise be depending on senior citizens or vulnerable adults to look after your children.

In the interim, keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times.

Yours sincerely

Peter Cush

Principal

Reply slip- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Supporting Children of Key Workers available from Tuesday 24^th March

“If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for Child Care provision.” Minister of Education 19^th March 2020

Name of Key worker:
Occupation:
Work place:
Work telephone no:
Time when you require the service	From: To:
Days when you require the service
Child’s name & class
Child’s name & class
Child’s name & class
Child’s name & class

LIST OF KEY WORKERS AS OUTLINED ON DOCUMENTATION ISSUED TO SCHOOLS ON 19TH MARCH 2020

Health and Social Care. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector

Education and childcare. This includes nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response

Public safety and national security. This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles

Transport. This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response

Utilities and Communication. This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies, to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff in telecommunications, post and delivery, services and waste disposal

Food and other necessary goods. This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g hygiene, medical etc)

Key national and local government including those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response.

COVID-19: Message from Fr Ryan McAleer Diocesan Adviser

Fri 20 Mar 2020

Dear parents

With the closure of all schools, both north and south of the diocese, and little prospect of a return to normality before the end of the academic year, I simply wanted to pass on my promise of prayer and best wishes to you and your school community.

You can find some prayer resources at the following link for these times, which I encourage you to share with your staff and parents, if you wish:

https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2020/03/16/prayer-resources-for-use-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

I will be particularly mindful of you, your staff, pupils and their families at the altar as I celebrate Mass every day in private.

Warmest regards,

Ryan

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

--

Rev'd Ryan McAleer, VF

Diocesan Advisor for Primary Religious Education

Class Allocations for September 2020

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic

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