Pupils return to classrooms

Pupils return to classrooms

10 March 2021

PRIMARY schools and nursery units welcomed children back this week after the lockdown – but only for a fortnight.

Nursery age children and P1-P3 pupils were allowed back to full-time learning after breaking up early for their Christmas holidays last December.

Education Minister Peter Weir has said this age group will be in school for only two weeks before returning to remote learning at home from March 22.

He said yesterday he hoped that all pupils would be able to return to classrooms as soon as possible.

It’s planned that older pupils from Years 12-14 in secondary and grammar schools will be allowed to attend from March 22 until the Easter Break.

At Downpatrick Primary School, six classes returned on Monday, including P1 to P3 and three classes in its Learning Support Centre.

The principal, Mr Niall Stevenson said: “It was so lovely to see the children walking down the hill and being left off from the EA School Buses. You forget  how small the little P1 children are as they march in very proud of wearing their school uniform and with their lunch boxes and snacks.

“I want to thank all our parents for their commitment and support since last March.  They have thrown themselves whole-heartedly into home-schooling and I was so pleased to see every parent ping off children wearing their masks and practising good social distancing. I look forward to welcoming the P4-P7 children as soon as possible back to school.”

P1 teacher Mrs Katie Cooke said: “Our little P1 pupils have not been in since December 18 and they were so happy to be back in class. Nothing can approach the experience the children get from being in school.”

Stephen Austin, principal of St Colmcille’s Primary School in Downpatrick, said his staff were similarly happy to see pupils back into school.

“We were thoroughly delighted to welcome our P1-3 children back,” he said. “The staff greatly missed them and are so pleased to have them back learning, socialising and holistically developing, now it is deemed safe to do so.

“We are pleased that in the meantime we are able to assist families/children by providing supervision to around 80 key worker and vulnerable children.”

Christopher Curran, principal of Holy Family Primary in Downpatrick, added: “The children were really excited to be returning to Holy Family, meeting their friends and seeing their teachers. Teachers will be focusing on the health and wellbeing of the children, help them to re-engage with their friends and learning.”

Mr Martin Robinson, vice-principal of Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School and Bunscoil Mhuire agus Phádraig in Downpatrick, said the school was delighted to welcome back our Primary and Rang 1-3 pupils.

“Our pupils are at the heart of everything we do and we hope to open our doors to all our pupils in the very near future. We would like to commend our parents for their support with home schooling over this most recent lockdown, it has been tremendous and demonstrates the strength we have in our home – school ties,” said Mr Robinson.

“As we return to the classroom,  our focus will be on our pupils; their relationships, health and well-being. We believe that each and every individual pupil is unique and our priority is ensuring they are happy and eager to learn.”

What struck Mark McGrath, principal of St Patrick’s Primary School in Saul, was the sound of children’s laughter again.

“The excitement and laughter as the children entered their classrooms and got to see their teachers, classroom assistants and friends was just lovely and made us realise as if we didn’t know, what we have missed,” he said.

“A school with noise is a much better place. Over the next few days, we will settle back into our routine of sanitising and handwashing as well as enjoy getting to know each other once again.

“The priority will be the happiness of the children and then when they are ready, the learning.”

Mrs Siobhan McMullan, principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Tyrella, said staff were delighted to welcome back pupils.

“It has been a challenging few months for everyone since Christmas but we are so pleased to finally be opening our doors to the children again. Both staff and pupils are excited to reconnect and work with each other, learning together again whilst building confidence and resilience.”

Mrs Fiona Martin, principal of St Mary’s Primary School in Killyleagh, agreed that the sound of pupils again was a welcome sign in the community.

“To hear the buzz and chat around the school means we are slowly returning to some type of normality,” she said.

“I pay tribute to the staff of St Mary’s, the parents/guardians and our pupils for their tremendous efforts during the last 10 weeks of remote learning.

“It hasn’t been an easy time for anyone but together as a school community we have overcome the challenges that arose along the way. Throughout each period of lockdown our school has remained open for children of key workers and those most vulnerable and hopefully it won’t be long until we welcome our P4-P7 children back to St Mary’s.”

Mr Chris Currie, principal of Killinchy Primary School, spoke of the long weeks of “uncertainty and disconnection” that many of his pupils experienced. He explained that school staff worked hard to provide the best remote learning along with a high demand looking after children of key workers and vulnerable children with an average of over 30% attendance each day.

“It was far from easy. Of course, we are not unique in that, so I am sure we speak for many schools when we say that we are delighted to have some full classes back in school,” he said.

“It was a joy to watch children greet their friends again this morning, some of whom hadn’t seen each other for nearly three long winter months.

“Amongst the smiles from staff and tears from parents (both anxious and joyful!) one thing is absolutely certain – schools are better places when children are in them. Long may it continue.”

Mrs Sarah McDowell, principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Legamaddy, said that she felt the “stresses and pressures” of recent times dissipate as her school began to get back to normal.

“Our children have been so resilient, throughout this lockdown working so hard to complete remote learning activities with almost 100% engagement across all classes. School staff have adapted to this new platform of teaching with immense enthusiasm and creativity, holding pupils at the centre of all decisions,” she said.

“Our focus now is settling our pupils and staff back into school safely and making the transition back free from any anxieties and worries. We have all learned a great deal and everyone should be proud how we have met and continue to meet the daily challenges we are presented with.

“As I stood outside on Monday greeting the children and parents as they returned to school, I felt the stresses and pressures of recent times beginning to dissolve.”

Mr Paddy Hardy, principal of  St Mary’s Primary School, Aughlisnafin, spoke about the sense of relief that the school was finally open.

“Pupils, parents and staff were all happy, that at least for our younger pupils things were beginning to get back to normal. Or as normal as possible during a pandemic,” he said. “The pre-Christmas routines were all reinstated, the parent cones to socially distant were back in use at the school gates and members of staff were also welcoming pupils at the gate with temperature checks and hand sanitiser gel. At times it was difficult to see who had the biggest smile the pupils or their parents.”

He added: “We are fully aware of the impact the pandemic has had on all our families, pupils and staff. Some of our school community have lost loved ones during the pandemic and some have been seriously ill. So it is essential that we take all the precautions necessary at home and in school to ensure that this is our last lockdown.”

Mr Declan Murray, principal of St Mary’s Primary School and Nursery Unit in Newcastle, spoke of how resilient his pupils have been.

“It was fantastic to see the boys and girls from the Nursery Unit to Primary 3 making their way back to their classrooms for full-time teaching, albeit at this stage only for two weeks,” he said.

“It was like the start of a new year again. The children’s resilience and happiness about returning to see was very evident to see. We are looking forward to receiving all classes back to school as soon as it is possible to do so.”