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Camphill Primary School, Ballymena
Pupil Progress meetings take place next week - wk.bg 16th March - Bookings will open at 6pm on Monday 9th March via Parentmail. School will close at 1:30pm for pupils on Mon/Weds/Thurs/Fri next week and on 12noon on St.Patrick's Day. | School Closes early all of next week - 1:30pm Mon/Weds/Thurs/Fri and 12noon on St.Patricks Day to accommodate Pupil Progress meetings. The 2pm/3pm Bus will run as normal on Mon/Weds/Thurs/Fri to allow for pupils who attend  Little Stars/Big Stars and to allow for P7s on Monday after swimming.  Pupils who travel normally on the school bus will be supervised in school until the 2pm/3pm bus arrives. Please note - There will be no BUS, Canteen services or  Little Stars /Big Stars on St.Patricks Day - Tuesday 17th March.    | This week is our TERM 2 'Keeping Safe' thematic week - lessons around 'My Body' will be taught following the NSPCC programme....... look out for homework activities being sent home this week. (See NSPCC info. in News below - 9/3/26) | 'Read On' Cancer Fund for Children - thank you to all the pupils who have already brought in sponsorship - last day to bring in donations is this Friday 13th March.  | P1 parents - you are invited to your child's classroom for a 'Stay & Play' - see NEWS (2/3/26)  | We are looking forward to seeing all the P2 Pirates in school this Wednesday as P2 hold their annual 'Pirate' day. | P3 & P5 look forward this week to taking part in their Shared Education days with Mary Queen of Peace PS. | P5 Parents - You are invited to your child's Year Group Assembly this Weds 11th March - see Parentmail sent out last week for details.  | P5 parents - last day to pay swimming is next Friday - see Parentmail sent last week. P5 swimming starts on Mon. 20th April..... all swimming dates are on calendar website. | P6 parents - Look out for SEAG 'in school' preparation information coming out via Parentmail later this week. | P7 parents - Leavers Hoodies can be ordered via our online uniform shop from later this week - last day for orders is Thursday 26th March. All information can be found later this week under 'PARENTS' Area of the website in the Online Uniform shop area.  | RED NOSE DAY - is coming on Friday 20th March - on this day all pupils can come to school wearing red and donate 50p/£1 to the charity.... see POSTER in NEWS on FRIDAY 13th March for details.  | A large group of P7 pupils along with Mr OHare are attending the Ballymena United Football Match this Saturday - - thank you for the invitation Ballymena United. | Look out for information coming next Monday about our EASTER DUCK RACE...... This will take place during the school day on Thursday 26th March. 
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School update - Monday 16th March - 3:00pm

Back to News
16th Mar 2020

Dear Parent

You will be aware that there is great uncertainty and speculation in regard to appropriate actions needed to be taken by schools to combat the spread of Coronavirus. Indeed, it is evident that our Government cannot even agree on the best way forward. As of this afternoon the Minister of Education has made it clear that all schools will remain open.  We as a school continue to follow advice published by the Dept. of Education and the Public Health Agency. 

At this point I do not know answers to a lot of questions - I do not know if schools will close, I do not know if schools will be given time to prepare for closure, I do not know if staff will have access to our building, I do not know how long school transport will remain for, I do not know how long schools could be closed for, I just do not know!

Therefore whether we agree with the Minister of Education or not school will continue to be open at present  - for how long this will be - we just don't know. Many of us have elderly relatives and family members who are particularly vulnerable to serious illness.  I understand that many parents are deeply concerned that their child may become ill or transmit infection to other relatives. I can offer no medical advice or expertise on this matter; however I can offer you a reassurance that I support any decision you take as a family to protect yourselves - our numbers in school today were down significantly.  I also wish to reassure everyone that there has been important changes to our children's routines such as an increase in hand washing, hygiene and cleaning within the school.

We have taken the decision within school to cancel all After School Clubs and any planned events including our Food & Fashion Show, Eco Day, P7 Residential trip, Football and Netball matches and any visitors who were coming into school to talk to classes for the foreseeable future.  This also includes School Assemblies, Shared Education events and Swimming. Our priorities at the minute is to protect as much 'in class' timetabled work as possible.  At present we are still running 'Breakfast Club' and 'Little Stars'. 

I recognise that any decision taken will have consequences for families - this is a 'no win' situation. We are starting to put preparations in place to prepare for 'Home Learning' in these extreme circumstances.  I realise that providing work is not the same as teaching children, however it is the only course of action open to all schools. 

Updates will be communicated to parents via our Parentmail service and website as soon as anything changes.

Kind regards

Mrs. K. McMaster

Principal