Updates during COVID-19  Closure

Telephone and Web Support from EA for Young People  (updated 24/03/20)

Update 28 March 2020

As we end our first week of sailing through unchartered waters I'd like to commend pupils, parents and teachers for their engagement in this very different remote learning environment.   This relatively new concept, I am proud to say, has been readily embraced by our school community.  It has been encouraging to see the high level of engagement from our pupils and thank you to parents for ensuring this has happened.  Thank you to the teaching staff for your continued efforts and engagement with all classes.

It has been heartening this week to see some of the fabulous work completed by our talented pupils, some much welcomed positivity during these difficult days.  Please keep contributing and sharing these wonderful pieces.

I would like to remind all students that your welfare, even though we are no longer in school, is still of paramount importance.  If you have any pastoral concerns Form Teachers, Year Heads, Designated Teachers for Child Protection and other pastoral staff are all available to be contacted via email.

To our Year 12 and Year 14 students, we are aware that this has been a very abrupt and unexpected end to your time here in school.  God willing, when we come out the other side of all this, we can come together and celebrate your time in school the way it should have been done.  Rest assured we are all thinking about you and will continue to support you as you move towards the next phase of your education/career.  In relation to GCSE and A Level exams, the guidance is not yet available regarding how final grading will be decided.  The latest advice received from CCEA on Friday afternoon stated "learners should be working towards completing their programme of study and further updates will be provided as soon as possible."  In light of this, it is important to stress that you should continue to fully engage with teachers via remote learning in order to ensure courses are complete.

For students who are entitled to free school meals information regarding Free School Meals payments can be sourced via this link www.education-ni.gov.uk.  Our school remains open to support the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils also.  A text message was sent to parents this afternoon to contact the school info account should they wish to avail of this service.  We would request that parents give us 24 hours advance notice of this.

Although we are not together in the same building, we remain connected as a school family.  I am incredibly proud of the way our school community has responded to the current crisis.  From embracing remote learning to volunteering in the local community our school family has come together to support one another in a wonderful way.  Thank you to everyone.  Take care, stay at home and stay safe.

Janice Allen
Principal

Update 27 March 2020

A text message was sent to all parents stating that our school will remain open for children of key workers.  Parents have been requested to contact the school via the school info account, info@college.fivemiletown.ni.sch.uk, to request this service (giving 24 hours notice.).  A Social Media post over the weekend will remind parents to check that their children have access to their My-School page.  Once here they can access school email, My Files and Google Classroom.  The guide sheet is available under Update Friday 13 March.  Pupils are reminded to use their school @c2ken.net accounts for accessing all school related materials, and for communicating with teachers.

Update 20 March 2020

The Minister for Education has outlined how schools will support key workers in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus from Monday 23rd March.

We aim to help parents who are critical in the fight against Covid-19. In order to support them it is vitally important that we are made aware how many children (who are in Years 8, 9 and 10) of key workers will be attending school on Monday morning.

With this in mind, if you are an identified key worker, please make contact with us here in school by 3pm today (Friday 30th March) via phone on 02889521279 or via email on info@college.fivemiletown.ni.sch.uk.

Please note this is aimed directly at children with BOTH parents working as key workers and both parents out at work at the same time (in single parent families the individual parent must be a key worker.)

If possible, alternative childcare arrangements should be sought before deciding to send your child to school in order to try and limit the number of children and adults together in a small place in line with recent social distancing guidance. We will also be limited to normal opening and closing times (8.55a.m. – 3.20p.m.)

Please see list below to help clarify who key workers are:

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.

Transport

Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.

 Update 18 March 2020

I would like to begin by thanking you all for your support and understanding during these challenging times.

In light of the announcement from the First Minister this evening, school will be open tomorrow for pupils in Years 11-14 only. Teachers will be available throughout the day to provide support and guidance to pupils regarding future work to be undertaken.

Can I thank those pupils who came in to complete their GCSE Art examination and Science Practical today.

We will keep in contact with you all via Google Classroom, email and the school messaging service. If you have any queries please contact us via the school office or email using the school info account.

We will endeavour to keep you updated with regards to how GCSE and A Level pupils will be assessed when we receive more detailed information.

Many thanks

Janice Allen
Principal

 

Update Friday 13 March

In preparation for remote learning, all pupils were given this guide sheet on how to access My-School, school email and Google Classroom.

 

CoronaKindness at FMT

Each pupil in school on Wednesday was given a sheet with two postcards that will allow them to show kindness to others in their community.