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Castle Gardens Primary School, Newtownards
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Update After Easter

12th Apr 2021

Good morning 

I trust you all had an enjoyable Easter break. Below you will find information regarding finishing times this week and plans for the next couple of weeks. 

Children will finish at the times they finished before Easter:

  • P1 1.50pm
  • P2 1.50pm 
  • P3 1.55pm 
  • P4 2.00pm 
  • P5 2.05pm 
  • P6 2.10pm 
  • P7 2.10pm 

Finish times will be reviewed next week with any change coming into place after the May Bank Holiday.

Why are we keeping these finishing times?

For now there are still a large number of restrictions in place in the community, for example we can't have more than two households in our gardens, we can't get out hair cut and we can't go for a meal out. In school we still have to remain in bubbles so that means we can't offer after-school clubs, even provide music tuition classes or even allow classes to play together in the playground. We still aren't able to use the PE hall or eat in the canteen so we are a long way off returning to normal in school even though all the children are now back in school. 

Things are easing today of course for example with garden centers and click and collect reopening and there is positive news regarding vaccinations. Hopefully further easing will be announced this week by the Executive.

I fully appreciate that there is a strong desire for the children to return to a normal full day as soon as possible but with vaccinations only being offered to staff over the age of 40 and a delivery of lateral flow testing devices about which I have received no information I know you'll appreciate the caution that I have to take to ensure not only your children are safe but also that all staff and adults coming on the school grounds are safe.

Please feel free to get in touch if you require any further information, thank-you again for your ongoing support through this challenging time. 

Take care 

Mr Gray