Letter from the Principal October 2020

Dear Parents,

As we head towards the midterm break I would like to update you on a number of matters

COVID 19

We are all concerned at the rise in the number of cases of COVID 19 nationally and in particular in Cork. There is also a lot of talk both in the media and on social media on how much information parents should or are entitled to receive if there is a case in a school. Please find here a document entitled: Covid-19 Schools Community Testing Pathway: Frequently Asked Questions for Schools’.

This document was produced by the HSE in conjunction with the Department of Education and should provide answers to any question you have in relation to a case or suspected case of COVID 19 in schools. I will keep you updated if the information in this document changes. The school will only be informed about cases where the HSE deem it appropriate. To date the school has not been contacted by the HSE.

As I have said before, we are very happy with how our students have adhered to and cooperated with our procedures for keeping our school safe. However, there is one area of concern we have and that is when students are having their lunch. It is very important that they remain 2 meters away from their friends when they are eating their lunch outside and that they put on their masks when they have finished eating. Please impress upon your child the importance of social distancing when having their lunch.

Code of Behaviour

Our Code of Behaviour has been updated to include a Health and safety Control of Covid 19 policy for students. It sets out for students and parents/guardians, the Covid19 health and safety control measures to be followed by students in our school and ensure that any non-adherence to the measures concerned can be addressed by the school through the school’s code of behaviour for students. This policy:

Ø  Focuses on creating a positive and safe environment for teaching and learning in the particular context of COVID-19

Ø  Ensures that all students are made aware of the public health requirements as they relate to schools in a COVID-19 context and the particular context of our own school

Ø  Encourages students to take personal responsibility for their actions and create and nurture a positive climate that reinforces good behaviour

The policy can be found here

School canteen

Get Fresh who run our school canteen hope to have hot and cold lunches available after the midterm break. As our canteen is now being used as a classroom, the food will be delivered to the social areas by the catering staff. Food can be ordered and paid for online the night before. Payments can only be made using a GetFresh Card. In order to receive a GetFresh card you must register for the service. Information on how to register is available here.

There will be no facility for paying for lunches on the day. I have provided all students with information on this new cashless system. A weekly menu will be available on our website at the beginning of each week.

Deadline for new entrants

The deadline for applications for first years for the 2021/22 academic year is the23rd October at 1.05pm. You can view our online Open Night and download an application form on www.ccn.ie/enrolement

November Exams

November exams for 5th and 6th years will commence on November 16th and a report will be issued at the beginning of December. All other years are involved in continuous assessment and will receive their reports before the Christmas holidays.

VSware

We will be rolling out the VSware app over the midterm break. This will allow absent slips to be returned on line eliminating the need for absent slips at the back of the journal. All school notifications will now be sent through this app. We will contact you over the midterm break with instructions on how to download it.

Teams and One Note

All students have been given their username and password for MSTeams and MSOneNote. Many teachers are using the platforms to give homework and receive work from their students. Please ensure that your son/daughter can log on successfully from home. If you have any difficulties, please email info@ccn.ie.

It has been a long half term and we hope that all students have a relaxing and safe midterm break. We will finish on Friday at 1.05 pm.

Kind regards,

Mr. C. O’ Corcora

Principal