March 30th 2020.
Dear Pupils, Parents/Guardians,
As we approach the season of Easter, I would like to contact you to update you on the ongoing situation.
Firstly, I wish to compliment and thank all the teachers and pupils for the magnificent way in which you have engaged with our distance learning efforts. Teachers have worked extremely hard to provide regular work for pupils and our pupils have responded enthusiastically by returning work to teachers across all subject areas.
At the start of the process, some pupils were a little overwhelmed by the volume of work they were receiving as teachers tried to ensure that as much material as possible is covered. Things have settled down since then and the feedback we are receiving suggests that both teachers and pupils are adapting very well to these new arrangements.
We would encourage all students to continue to keep a reasonable study routine over the Easter holidays. This is especially important for exam classes and most especially for Leaving Cert students. The State Examinations Commission and the Department of Education tell us that they are still hoping to hold the state exams as normal. It is important that exam classes continue to prepare for these exams. Teachers will provide revision plans for the Easter holidays.
If the current “lockdown “situation continues after Easter, we strongly encourage all pupils to return to your normal school timetable and work with your teachers. Teachers are aware of the extra pressures associated with distance learning and will be as flexible as possible with pupils. There are many resources available to help at this time. The PDST website, the Department of education, the state exams commission and CEIST are just a few examples.
There are a small number of pupils who have not yet engaged with this process. We will be in touch with parents over the next few weeks to encourage them to work with their sons and daughters to make the best of this difficult situation.
We are a strong school community and if we work together we will emerge from this crisis even stronger and better equipped to face the challenges ahead.
Please continue to check your outlook for emails from teachers and please check the school website and school twitter account for updates and information.
We pray that over the season of Easter, that God will bless our school community, keep us all safe and continue to guide and guard us.
Ráth Dé oraibh go léir,
Paul Cafferky