Covid-19: Sullivan Upper School Year 13 pupils told to self-isolate

An entire year group at a Holywood grammar school have been told to self-isolate during Christmas after an outbreak of Covid-19.

The news was broken to the 146 pupils in Year 13 at Sullivan Upper School after 11 Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the year group.

The details were outlined to parents in letter written by the school's principal Chris Peel.

He wrote that he anticipated more positive cases to come.

Mr Peel said that close-contact tracing carried out by the school over the weekend and Monday "led to a situation where PHA (Public Health Agency) advice is that all Year 13 pupils should self-isolate from Friday 18 December 2020 up to including Monday 28 December 2020".

He added that was "extremely sorry to be conveying this advice to you at this time of year and I realise the impact on your family".

But, Mr Peel wrote, "we must follow appropriate procedures for the health and safety of the whole school community".

The news comes as principals at schools across Northern Ireland voiced their frustration at pupils having to self-isolate over Christmas.

Families have 'paid the consequences'

Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry has had to tell 17 families to self-isolate following a positive Covid-19 test.

Glengormley Integrated PS has told the families of 14 pupils to self-isolate after a positive test.

Seven staff members at the school will also have to self-isolate over the Christmas period.

Glengormley Integrated PS principal Nigel Arnold said one of his own children was among those having to self-isolate.

He said a staff member had tested positive on Monday.

"The families who did not send their children in last week will not have to self-isolate," he said.

"Those who followed the minister's instructions to the tee have paid the consequences. It is very frustrating.

"I wish I had had the confidence to defy the minister (by not coming in), but I thought it was a dangerous thing to do."

Daughters unable to see father on Christmas Day

Jane McConville has said her family is "devastated" as her eldest daughter, Hannah, has had to self-isolate, along with some other pupils who attend Loughview Integrated Primary School in Belfast.

She said Hannah's father, Gary, has been diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and both her daughters will now be unable to see their father on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

"It is devastating," she said.

"I have spoken to her father about what we are going to do.

"We may delay Christmas to 27 December, we are not sure what to do at present.

"Hannah's dad, Gary, lives alone.

"He is very upset.

"Even if you move the date it is still not Christmas Day.

"My daughter has been very good, but she got upset last night blaming herself, when it is not her fault.

"I can't see why we leave remote learning to the end of January, we have to do it now."

Fiona McAlinden, principal of Our Lady's Grammar in Newry, said a pupil tested positive on Friday.

She said there have been five cases at the school since Halloween, which are not related.

"I feel frustrated," she said.

"I think it was preventable.

"The Department of Education should have allowed us to go remote learning, the less people in the building the less chance of transmission."

Ms McAlinden said reports of a "new strain" of coronavirus were worrying and she believed there should be remote learning for the "first fortnight of January".

'Not sustainable'

She said it would be "disappointing" for self-isolating pupils that they could not visit their grandparents at Christmas.

"The families could not have been more gracious when I told them about self-isolating, it was horrible for me to make the call and I am sure it was horrible for them to take, but they were very gracious."

Education Minister Peter Weir is considering moving some post-primary pupils to remote learning in January

Reopening schools in Northern Ireland as normal in January is not a "sustainable position", NI Health Minister Robin Swann has said.

On Friday, Education Minister Peter Weir said the new term should begin as planned after Christmas. But in the assembly on Monday he said some post-primary pupils are set to move to remote learning for a period in late-January.

It will operate on a temporary basis for pupils in years 8-10 from 25 January for at least two weeks.

Primary schools, special schools and pupils in years 11-14 will remain in school.

But all schools will initially reopen for face-to-face learning when the new term begins next month.

Mr Weir said he would "not take action which will damage the future prospects of our young people", but would not "put them at harm from a public health risk".

He added that it would not be a return to school as normal.

The minister outlined a number of measures being considered, including the extension to the use of face coverings in post primary schools, changes to school pick-up and drop-offs at school gates and improved messaging to young people.