Blog Archives

Guidance on Masks/face coverings for primary school pupils from 3rd class.

30/11/2021

The Department of Education have tonight issued guidance to schools and parents on the wearing of face masks/ face coverings for children in primary schools from 3rd class upwards. Please click on the image to read the guidance in total.

What does this mean for your child in Creagh N.S.

There is no requirement for children from Junior Infants to 2nd Class to wear masks although we do not prohibit any child from wearing masks if they choose to do so.
If you have a mask available, your child may start wearing a mask to school immediately.
All children from 3rd class upwards, who do not qualify for an exemption, will be expected to wear a face mask in school from Thursday the 2nd of December.
From Friday the 3rd of December, as per the guidance issued to us by the Department of Education, if a child presents to school without a mask/face covering where a medical certificate is not provided or the school has not agreed that exemption is warranted, the school will contact the parents in an effort to reach a solution. Further guidance will be issued on Monday the 6th of December.
If you feel that your child qualifies for an exemption as detailed in the guidance, please contact the school: (09096) 42634; [email protected].

Exemptions:

any pupil with difficulty breathing or other relevant medical conditions
any pupil who is unable to remove the cloth face-covering or visor without assistance
any pupil who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the cloth face covering or visor, for example pupils with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.

Please be assured that we will do our best to ensure that this occurs as easily as possible.
Where the school has identified children whose complex needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them, we will discuss this with parents as required. In such circumstances we may not require medical certification to provide an exemption to the wearing of face coverings.

We will ensure that masks are only worn in indoor settings and that the children get ample time playing together in an outdoor setting while not wearing masks.
As educational professionals, we will be teaching children how to use face-coverings safely and emphasising the necessity for them while addressing their concerns and worries in a calm, reasoned and compassionate manner. We are confident that such an approach is the best way to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all children in the school is looked after in the best possible manner.
We are determined that these new requirements will not impact the children from 3rd to 6th in a negative manner and hope that parents will comply with the guidelines so that we can continue teaching and learning face-to face in a safe and nurturing environment.
As always, we appreciate your co-operation in this matter.
The guidelines state that the wearing of face coverings will be reviewed in February.
We will issue more guidelines, if necessary, after reviewing the best implementation in line with our Covid Response Plan.
If you have any queries with regard to this new measure, please call the school (0909642634) or email the principal ( [email protected])

Letter to Parents from CMO (30/11)

Advice on Face Coverings

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DAVID GILLICK VISITS 6TH CLASS IN CREAGH NS AS PART OF THE MARATHON KIDS PROGRAMME.

25/11/2021

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It was a very exciting day for the children in sixth clas today as we welcomed two time European 400m Champion and Olympian David Gillick to our school along with James Kilkenny, Community Sports Development Officer with Galway Sports Partnership.

David gave a facinating presentation to the children in the covid compliant outdoor setting, inspiring them with his insight, expertise, honesty and generosity. He was as generous with his time as he was with his recounts and advice and every child that requested it got a personal moment and a signed autograph. We managed to persuade David and James to warm up briefly afterwards before they headed off again, James to Galway and David to his family in Dublin.

A few words from David on his visit.

''I was blown away by the brilliant students and staff at Creagh NS. From the moment I stepped on the grounds of Creagh NS I was made to feel extremely welcome. I was delighted to see how much the students are enjoying the Marathon Kids programme. The students were very engaging and asked loads of great questions and their understanding of the importance of exercise for both physical and mental wellbeing was impressive. A credit to their teachers!
It was a pleasure for me to head west and visit a great school. Well done to all involved - Students, Teacher and staff! ''

Thank you David for giving our children such a memorable experience. You will always be welcome back to visit!!

Some images from David's visit

Our Marathon Kids Journey

At the start of the term this year, we embarked on a new sport's programme in conjunction with and funded by the Galway Sports Partnership.
The children in Mr Ronaldson's and Mr Geraghty's 6th classes have been taking part in Marathon Kids. This is an 8 week incremental running programme that promotes a healthy life style and during which the children will run distance equivalant to a marathon.

The programme will culminate in a mile run, after which past pupil and inspirational member of the Irish Women's rugby team, Beibhinn Parsons, has agreed to present medals to all the participants sometime in December.
In the meantime, rain, hail or shine, 6th class pupils will be clocking up their miles on a daily basis! Well done to all the children in 6th c lass for taking on this challenge and to Mr Ronaldson and Mr Geraghty for givin g them the oportunity to take part.

Mr Ronaldson's Class getting active during one of their daily runs.

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LETTER TO PARENTS RE ANTIGEN TESTING

25/11/2021

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Please click on the image to read a letter from the Department of Education to Parents of Children in Primary Schools detailing how Antigen Testing for Primary school children, scheduled to begin on November 29th, will operate.

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CREAGH NS CELEBRATES SCIENCE WEEK 2021 WITH A BANG....AND LOTS OF FUN!

24/11/2021

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All classes from Junior Infants to Sixth Class enjoyed a wide range of science based activities both inside and outside the classroom for Science Week 2021. There was slime and rockets, zip wires and Knex creations..... and most of all there was lots and lots of hands-on science and lots and lots of fun!
Huge thanks to Mr Dolan, Ms Barrett, Miss O Donoghue and Mr Dolan's fifth class who sorted out science kit boxes for all classes so that everyone could do 'Something Sciencey'!

Take a look at some of the science we got up to!

Infant classes get creative with skittles, green screens and Lego before chilling out with some yoga!

First and Second class explore physics with zip wires, make a bug hotel and lava lamps, do some planting, fire rockets and stand on balloons!!

4th class take the Egg Drop Challenge, make butter, lava lamps ..... and just a few jaws drop!

5th and 6th class have fun with slime and pasta, investigate circuits and put on a show!

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new Antigen testing arrangements for close contacts in primary schools

18/11/2021

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.Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD have today confirmed arrangements for a new system of antigen testing of asymptomatic close contacts in primary schools put in place by the HSE.
Click on the image to read the entire Press Statement.

We appreciate the continuing co-operation of our school community as we do our best to keep the best protocols in place.
Please continue to contact the school with any further queries.
Phone: 0909642634
Email: [email protected]

How the programme will work:

If a child develops symptoms of COVID-19:

If at any stage a child becomes symptomatic they should isolate at home and organise a COVID-19 PCR test if indicated. A 'not–detected' antigen test holds no

When a parent receives a ‘detected’/positive PCR COVID-19 test result on their child, they should notify the school principal immediately.
The school principal will inform the parents of the children in the case’s pod that they are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case. The name of the case or any other details will not be shared.
The school principal will identify the children in the case’s pod, and inform their parents, offering the opportunity to order antigen tests from the distribution company.
The antigen tests will be posted to the parents of the children in the pod.
Parents carry out the antigen test on the day that they receive it and every second day until three tests have been done.
The children in the pod can continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and their antigen test results remain not detected.

if a child’s antigen test indicates a positive result:

If an antigen test is positive, the child isolates at home and the child’s parent/guardian logs onto the HSE to request a PCR test.
The antigen test distribution company will record the numbers of antigen tests distributed, batch numbers and the names of the relevant schools.

If a child develops symptoms of COVID-19:

If at any stage a child becomes symptomatic they should isolate at home and organise a COVID-19 PCR test if indicated. A 'not–detected' antigen test holds no value in this situation of a symptomatic child.

If two or more cases arise in a class, outside a single pod:

In a case where two or more cases arise in a class, within a seven-day period, outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class.
It is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing. Children who are in a pod where a child has tested positive for COVID-19 can continue to attend school, whether they participate in antigen testing or not, provided that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The principal can be contacted by email: [email protected]
or by phone: 0909642634

Symptoms of Covid-19

Symptoms of COVID-19If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus), self-isolate (stay in your room) and get a COVID-19 test.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above) - including having chills
dry cough
fatigue (tiredness)

Less common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they're completely gone or just different to normal
nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)
sore throat
headache
muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
different types of skin rash
nausea or vomiting
diarrhoea
chills or dizziness

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
loss of appetite
confusion
pain or pressure in the chest
fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

You may not have all of these symptoms or your symptoms may be mild. Symptoms may vary for different age groups or variants of the virus.
It can take up to 14 days after you are infected for symptoms to show. You can spread COVID-19 during this time.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to symptoms of cold, flu or hay fever.
If you are in doubt about any symptoms your child has, phone your GP.

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