Dear Parent/ Carer
Thank you for your understanding and support over the weekend given the recent government announcements regarding increased measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 following the discovery of the new Omicron variant. Our priority will always be to keep everyone as safe as possible, whilst aiming to provide the highest standard of Catholic education to all of our learners. We are experiencing higher than usual absence of both staff and students, so we have had to respond quickly and proportionately to the changing local and national picture, with the following measures:
Prize Giving – CANCELLED
It is with a heavy heart that I have to formally announce the cancellation of this Thursday’s prize giving event. Given the set-up of the evening and the number of external visitors, I believe the risks of going ahead unfortunately outweigh the benefits. I am sorry for all of the prize winners and their families that they won’t get the opportunity to celebrate in school. I also feel particularly for all of the staff and students who have worked so hard in preparation for the event, but I don’t feel that there is any alternative but to cancel.
Face Coverings
From today all students, staff and visitors are to wear face coverings in communal areas and are encouraged to wear them in classrooms. There are a small handful of individuals who are exempt but even those, I would encourage them to reconsider if they would at least be happy to wear a face covering for the limited time that they spend in busy corridors. If students are exempt, we expect them to have a letter from home and collect a yellow wristband/ pass from reception. We only allow plain face coverings with no motifs, patterns or logos to ensure that we don’t introduce unnecessary pressures on students to follow a style or trend. Face coverings must also be worn on all public and school transport, unless the individual is exempt.
Acts of Worship and Assemblies
All acts of worship and assemblies will be online so we will not be gathering the students in large groups in the hall. This is a particular shame given the time of year and will also mean that our end of year advent liturgy will be streamed to the students’ form rooms.
Testing
All students should continue to test at least twice weekly using the lateral flow test kits that they have been issued with.
Contact Tracing and Isolation
Any suspected or confirmed cases of the Omicron variant will be asked to isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status or age. You will be contacted directly and told to isolate.
Vaccination
All eligible students aged 12 and over are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters. Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on. To book a vaccination, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Thank you once again for your support in this challenging time.
Yours faithfully
Mr Shenton
Headteacher