This week saw our full school community return to school. It was great to see everyone again for the first time since lockdown in March. We were also delighted to welcome our new Year 8 pupils along with those joining other year groups including our new entrants to the Sixth Form. Thank you to each and every member of the school community for their most positive support in implementing our COVID- 19 safety protocols as we began our new school year together. A great team effort from everyone at ERGS.
Please find below for your information our updated pupil protocols in light of the guidance issued by the Minister of Education last week. Face coverings/masks in school corridors and communal spaces are now mandatory for all Post Primary Pupils across NI. We would strongly recommend that ERGS pupils purchase reusable/washable face masks going forward. These can be washed on a regular basis, and then reused to prevent and reduce waste. In addition, if pupils use ‘disposable’ face coverings they should be thrown away after each use, or as soon as they are damp: thus pupils will need to carry a number of these with them each day which over time will become costly and impractical.
The following posters are now on display around both sites and on classroom doors, and we welcome parental support as we continue to establish effective hygiene routines with pupils as we work together to follow our new COVID–19 protocols to keep all members of our school community safe.
We would also draw your attention to the section in the protocols on the use of sick bay. In the current climate, we cannot house pupils in sick bay who are unwell even though they are not displaying COVID– 19 symptoms. Therefore, the parents of any pupil coming to sick bay will be contacted immediately so that they can be collected and taken home straightaway. However, in the case of pupils who have a known medical condition such as diabetes and, where bespoke arrangements are already in place, these bespoke arrangements will still be observed.
With warmest thanks as we work together to keep our school community and our wider community safe and secure.
Elizabeth Armstrong
Pupil Protocols September 2020
