Dear Parent/ Guardian/Student/Teacher,
I hope this email finds you well during these unprecedented times. Further to the Government’s decision to close schools to support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, I am writing to advise you of school continuity measures taken to date by your school
· Thursday 12-03-2020
o We confirmed all students had their log in details.
o Teachers issued revision guidelines to support students’ continued engagement with the curriculum during the closure.
o We advised all students to empty all of their personal belongings from the school.
o The school closed following a directive issued by the Department of Education and Skills (DES).
· Thursday 19-03-2020
o SEC issued Press Release in relation to orals and practicals
o Students invited in to collect any materials from their lockers
· Monday 29-03-2020
o Provisional return date to school.
Ø In the interim, the school will continue with actions to prepare for our return to the campus.
Ø The following guidance is to support students as they prepare for their summer/state examinations.
· The State Examinations Commission (SEC) will circulate guidance on contingency arrangements if they are required.
o The school will communicate any such arrangements through our school app.
· Examination Years
o Our teachers will endeavour to support you as a matter of priority through blended learning (online support & work assigned to you before closure).
o Generally speaking, online classes will be created via whatever platform you are currently using on existing class structures within the school. Your current school timetable provides you with an excellent structure to organise your day. If parents could encourage their daughters to submit assigned work, we would be most grateful. Please urge them to do so within agreed timeframes.
o Other online supports available:
§ www.khanacademy.org
§ https://irevise.com/ie (Additional notes and tutorials)
§ www.studyclix.ie (Exam builders)
§ www.examinations.ie (Past exam papers and marking schemes)
§ www.careersportal.ie
§ https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html
§ www.education.ie – (Education related news)
· Non-Examination Years
o Over time as teachers build their capacity for online engagement, they will issue guidance to students in non-exam years to support their ongoing engagement with the curriculum in due course.
o Parents are encouraged to get their daughters to organise and create a bank of flashcards, mind maps and other suitable study aids.
· Wellbeing
o We would encourage you to stay in contact with your friends. Peer learning is one of the most effective methods to support curriculum engagement. Use technology sensibly to connect and learn together.
o Breaks, exercise and healthy diets are crucial to staying healthy.
· ICT Support
o If you are experiencing any ICT difficulties please contact a member of our e-learning team on elizabeth.odell@presbandon.ie, eilish.wilcox@presbandon.ie or declan.cronin@presbandon.ie.
· All years – General study guidance
For example:
Timetable subject
History – Pick a topic
Learning Activity
Make notes/mindmaps/flashcards on the topic under review
Preparing for Assessment
Use irevise/studyclix to identify questions from past papers and prepare answers and notes
Assessment at the end of the week
Use studyclix to create exam questions to test themselves.
Other online supports are available here: ·
https://www.scoilnet.ie/scoilnet/news/article/news/detail/News/des-announcement-and-scoilnet-supports/
This is an unprecedented situation, and the school community is conscious that in these difficult times, we will come together to find solutions. We always work in the best interest of our students. It is an unusual time for us all, and we need to work together to delay and limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. We encourage parents to emphasise the importance of social distancing to all in their care, so we as a nation can protect the most vulnerable in our communities. I also want to acknowledge that many of our students might find the uncertainty of the forthcoming weeks quite unsettling. I want to take this opportunity to reassure parents and students alike that the SEC and DES have always made decisions which are student-centred and mindful of the immediate environment. We have no control over what decisions the state agencies make; we do, however, have control over what actions we can take. So please remain focused on your study schedules and your preparations for the state examinations. Finally, I would like to thank our staff for their assistance and proactive actions to support your daughter. The staff and your daughter are a credit to our school community. If you wish to contact the school, we are available at office@presbandon.ie. We will make every effort to respond to your query promptly and support you in any way we can.
Meanwhile, take care and stay safe.
May God and His Holy Mother bless us all.
Yours sincerely, Mary O’Donovan & Carolyn O’Flaherty