A Message from the Education Minister
- Details
- Category: News
- Published: Sunday, 27 September 2020 22:00
Everyone has a part to play in keeping our schools age and stopping the spread of Covid-19
Everyone has a part to play in keeping our schools age and stopping the spread of Covid-19
Some infographics to remind all parents what they should look out for and what to do in order to keep our whole school community safe from Covid 19
Stay Safe, #Teamdonard
The file below contains many wonderful websites and apps you can try. They offer a range of extra resources in different curriculum areas including a daily timetable and a handwashing routine!
The files below contain resources to allow you to discuss the current Coronavirus outbreak with your children and discuss their emotions at this time.
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well in this strange new situation we find ourselves in! I know it will be a challenge to keep your little ones entertained over the coming weeks so I wanted to share some activities and strategies with you to try at home which will hopefully help! Over the next few weeks I will be uploading relevant information, activities and ideas for you on the school website. If you have any specific requests please get in touch. Stay safe everyone!
Best Wishes Vickie
(Occupational Therapist)
Donard Therapy Team
Donard Therapy Team will be available if you need our help or support at this challenging time. The SLTs, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists will be based in Trust facilities when the school is closed.
Contact numbers are provided below - leave a message for us if we are not available, and we will get in touch as soon as we can.
Keep safe over the coming weeks.
Best wishes
SLT Team – Victoria Henning, Aisling Hanna, Lisa Toal (contact 028 38613107 Child Development Clinic)
Occupational Therapy Team – Vickie Craig, Lisa Smylie (contact 07774792610)
Physiotherapy Team – Dianne Rollins (contact 028 38613107 Child Development Clinic)
Other useful numbers
NRS (Approved wheelchair repairers) – 02892672888
SHSCT Estates - 02837563765
Dear Parents / Carers,
Supporting Children of Key Workers in Special Schools
Yesterday evening the Minister for Education in Northern Ireland, Peter Weir MLA, made a statement outlining how schools will close to pupils from the end of the school day, today Friday 20th March, however, will open to staff on Monday 23rd March to support identified Key Workers and sustain children’s distance learning. We want to ensure that we support the children of key workers in a similar way across our schools, however we need to balance this with the ultimate aim of reducing the spread of the virus by trying to keep the number of children in schools to a minimum, in line with public health guidance.
It is important that we are aware of how many children of key workers will be attending school next week. With this in mind, if you are an identified key worker, with no other child minding provision, please make contact with the school as soon as possible to inform us that your child will be attending school from Monday 23rd March.. This must be confirmed by 3pm today via phone (02840662357) or email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Before contacting school, please pay particular attention to the following points. Schools will not be able to operate a ‘normal’ school day. Many of our schools are already operating with a significant reduction in staffing and this will probably continue to get worse over time.
Points to consider
• A list of key workers, issued by the Department of Education is listed overleaf. Only children with BOTH parents working as key workers, and both parents out at work at the same time should consider attending school. In single parent families, the individual parent MUST be a key worker.
• If possible, alternative childcare arrangements should be sought before deciding to send your child to school. For example, with other family members, friends etc. Please try and use school as a last resort. This is to try and limit the number of children and adults together in a small space in line with recent social distancing guidance. Our school’s normal opening and closing time will apply, at this stage.
• Children attending will be required to wear their school uniform. Please be advised that our school will be performing childcare duties, rather than teaching, as not all teachers are currently available. However learning packs have been provided for all children.
We would ask that you pay attention to the points outlined above before deciding to send your child to school. Obviously, it goes without saying, if your only option is to send your child to school, we will look after them in order to support you in your important role.
Yours sincerely,
A Archer
Uncertainty may affect some of our pupils at this challenging time. The Education Authority have asked us to share these contact details with our post primary pupils. These services can offer support and advice.
On Thursday 6th February six representatives from Bright Sparks (Donard’s Young Enterprise company) took themselves off to Rushmere for the Southern Regional Trade Fair. Both Class 13 and Leavers had been working extremely hard over the last few weeks to get all the products ready for the fair. As a School we have been focusing on our wellbeing and self-care. This was the inspiration behind our product range this year. We decorated various signs with inspirational quotes as well as memory boxes and trinket boxes.
We were absolutely delighted that our hard work paid off as we sold out of our signs and to top it off Bright Sparks came Runner Up in the Best Overall Team Category. We are so proud of each member of the Bright Sparks Team.
Election fever overtook Donard Senior School last week as the school council were elected for this year. Congratulations to each of the winners. On the agenda for debate at the first meeting is ‘The Senior Playground’. We have every confidence that this group of responsible young citizens will have their voices heard.