CORONAVIRUS: NI primary school shuts amid killer virus fears

A NI primary school has decided to close this week amid fears for pupils and staff as the Coronavirus pandemic surges.
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The Model Primary School in Lurgan is to close this week using holidays and will reopen on Monday.

A school spokesperson said they didn’t want ‘anyone from our school community to become a statistic’.

The school was due to close anyway for the St Patrick’s Day holidays but will be using two holidays and an ‘exceptional closure’ day which had been planned for May.

CoronavirusCoronavirus
Coronavirus

In a letter to parents, the school said: “The situation facing us with the current global spread of COVID-19 is unprecedented. Our situation here, on this part of the island of Ireland is further complicated by the fact that we have a government that can’t agree and act as one; and whilst I understand the science behind the current strategy, I also don’t want anyone from our school community to become a statistic.

“All of the staff & governors of this school care deeply about the children, families and community we serve. All of the staff recognise the responsibility we collectively have for the little people who come through our doors everyday. In the current crisis, we also have a responsibility to the families and vulnerable relatives of our pupils. We also have a responsibility for our own families.

“Our current holiday schedule means we are closed until Wednesday regardless. We had planned two days holiday and an exceptional closure for the end of May. After much thought and in consultation with the Chairperson of the Board of Governors, I have decided to move these days from May to this incoming week.

“Lurgan Model will therefore be closed for pupils on Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th & Friday 20th March. We will not officially reopen for pupils until Monday 23rd March.

“We will monitor the situation during the course of this incoming week and communicate with parents as information becomes available. On Thursday 12th March I asked staff to consider ways we can support learning from home, should a long term school closure be announced by government. Again, we will communicate this with parents when the need arises.

2This decision wasn’t an easy one to make, but my primary professional responsibility is for the safety of your children and my staff. I also have a moral responsibility to consider the safety of the vulnerable people each of us has in our own families.

“I hope I can rely on your continued support during these difficult times.”