Update for Parents- 17/03/20

Dear Parent/Carer

The current, unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in present us with challenges that we continue to strive to respond to in a co-ordinated, effective manner. As Principal of Cross and Passion College, my core responsibility is for the safety and well-being of all members of our school community.

Throughout this period, we have carefully, and fully, followed the directives and advice from both the Department of Education and the Public Health Agency. Following this guidance, I wish to re-state that we are not in a position to close the school, until we are instructed to do so. However, I acknowledge and understand the rising numbers of pupils and staff who are following instructions to isolate themselves for health reasons and the impact this has on their families, our school and their wider lives.

With this in mind, and after consulting with the Chair of our Board of Governors, the decision has been taken to move forward remaining INSET days, as well as one holiday, to Wednesday 18th March – Friday 20th March. The purpose of this is to afford teachers the time to prepare and disseminate materials that can be accessed remotely, in the increasingly likely event of a prolonged school closure.

These will be staff only days and pupils should not attend school on these dates.

I have previously mentioned that staff are taking a co-ordinated and pro-active approach to supporting pupil learning, in school and at home, and these staff days will allow this process to be accelerated.

I acknowledge, and apologise, for the short notice of this announcement, however you will understand the challenges that go with decisions of this nature and the very dynamic pressures that we are all faced with. I do not under-estimate the complications this will cause for families, in respect of arrangements for their children, but my decision is based on both planning, as well as the health and safety of pupils and staff.

The situation we all face is a fluid one and I ask you to continue to monitor the updates on our social media channels, website and parent text service. We thank you for your patience and support in these challenging times, as we make difficult decisions.

I wish all our school community well and ask you to continue to be vigilant in looking after your own health and for the well-being of those around you.

Best wishes

Paul McClean

Principal

Cross and Passion College

Update for Parents– 16/03/20

Dear all

We continue to follow all advice and guidance from the Department of Education and Public Health Agency. Whilst it is likely that schools will close at some point in the near future, we have received updated instructions from the Department of Education and currently remain open to pupils who can attend (school is closed for St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday 17th March).

Please note, BBC News had earlier mis-reported a fact in relation to our school, but immediately apologised and clarified the situation.

In light of the situation, which is changing daily, I have asked the staff to continue planning for sustained pupil learning in any eventuality.

Our immediate priority is to support pupils who are due to sit public examinations and complete qualifications in the summer. Teachers will be focusing on continuing provision for teaching and learning in school, whilst also making resources available online for those who cannot attend school for any reason.

My thanks go to our staff body, who are working diligently to ensure our pupils experience as little disruption as possible to their studies, given the unique challenges we are facing.

These arrangements are already being put in place in many subject areas, but will take some time to become fully operational.

If pupils or parents have technical or subject queries, they can contact the school by email info@crossandpassion.ballycastle.ni.sch.uk in the first instance.

I very much understand the anxiety and stress that the current situation has caused, right across society, and if you have any questions or queries, please direct your communications to the school through formal channels (either by phone, appointment or email).

Best wishes

Paul McClean

Principal

Cross and Passion College

Update for Parents - 15/03/20

Dear Parent/Carer

I wish to inform you that I have been contacted by a parent, who has informed me that their child has been advised to remain at home, as they have presented with symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

I have sought the most up-to-date health advice from the Public Health Agency (PHA), who have confirmed that no further action is required by the school at this time.   

Throughout the current situation, the school has followed, and continues to follow, the advice from the PHA and Department of Education (DE), to the letter. 

I understand the concerns of parents, pupils and the wider school community and I wish to reassure you that I will continue to monitor the situation carefully, seeking further advice and clarification from the PHA, DE and the Education Authority, as required. I will endeavour to keep the school community informed of any updates to advice received.  

Parents with any questions or concerns are welcome to contact me, via the school office, on Monday morning.

Best wishes,

Paul McClean

Principal

Cross and Passion College

Update for Parents - 11/03/20

Wednesday 11th March 2020

Dear Parent/Carer                                                                                          

We continue to monitor the developing situation in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and are following advice from the Public Health Agency (https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus) and the Department of Education.  In line with this advice we are adopting a ‘business as usual’ approach, alongside a number of general precautions to help prevent the spread of infection.  However, as this is a rapidly evolving situation, we have been doing some contingency planning to ensure we would be ready for a range of scenarios, including school closure.

The prospect of a closure is merely hypothetical at this time, however, if it were to arise, we would prioritise the continuation of teaching and learning, primarily for those who have public exams this summer and those who are completing qualifications.

Subject departments are planning ahead and will advise pupils of the mechanisms they would be using (e.g. Google Classroom, Office 365, Fronter, School Email etc) to provide resources, as well as set, monitor and assess work.  With this in mind, it is imperative that all pupils ensure they have checked their C2k passwords and can log-on to MySchool from home.  Any pupils requiring a password reset, or who are unfamiliar with this process, should speak to our ICT technician, Mr C Clarke, without delay.

We have a number of events and excursions planned over the next few weeks and, at this time, we hope they can go ahead.  The same applies to our school trips, although it is possible some of these may have to be cancelled or postponed if government advice changes, or if the organisers feel they cannot provide sufficient safeguards for participants.  In any case, we will provide updates as required through our school Twitter feed (@cpcballycastle), Facebook and through our parent text service.  I would be grateful if you would pay particular attention to communications from school in the coming weeks.

If pupils have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (Coronavirus), they should stay at home and consult the family GP.  If pupils are tested for the virus, I would be grateful if you would contact our school office by telephone or email info@crossandpassion.ballycastle.ni.sch.uk

In the meantime, in school, we are taking all reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of viruses and bugs and would ask parents to remind pupils of the importance of good hand and respiratory hygiene.  In addition to their normal cleaning duties, our cleaners are disinfecting areas (door handles and light switches etc.) daily.

Best wishes

Paul McClean

Principal

Nutrition Awareness Workshop

Year 13 Nutrition and Food Science pupils who attended a Nutrition Awareness Workshop on Friday at CAFRE Loughry Campus. On successful completion the pupils will be awarded the RSPH Level 2 Certificate in Nutrition for Health

Digital Wellbeing Event

Cookery demonstration by Wendy Bristow

Year 10 enjoying a cookery demonstration by Wendy Bristow, Livestock Meat Commission N I. The students got the chance to taste two meals prepared, lamb pilaf and beefy wraps. A big thank you to Wendy for sharing her skills and promoting Northern Ireland produced red meat and lamb.

Aberdeen Angus Youth Competition

Well done to our Year 11 and 12 Agriculture students who attended the ABP interviews for their Aberdeen Angus Youth Competition in Loughry College