Dear Parents and Guardians,

We know that this year Halloween will be very different from what we are used to- no visiting families, no trick or treating and no community events to attend.

We will endeavor to make the last day of school before our Mid-Term break as fun as possible in the school. One thing won't change- we will hold our annual dress-up day for the girls! Unfortunately we will not be able to have our usual Halloween assembly in the school hall, however at today's Staff Meeting we will discuss our options, which may include the children parading around the school yard (weather permitting) or the school corridors. The teachers will also have some fun in their classrooms with fantastic art and games planned. We might even have a whole school karaoke over the intercom! 

We would encourage you to dress the children up in a 'school-friendly' costume- nothing revealing or anything they will be cold in. I am a HUGE fan of homemade costumes, so please don't feel you have to purchase anything for the occasion- it is amazing how far a onesie or a few cardboard boxes can go!

I would like to thank you most sincerely for your support over the last few months. As you can imagine myself and the staff have been under huge pressure in the current circumstances. Your carefulness around your children's mild symptoms in particular, is gratefully acknowledged, and I thank you for keeping them home from school when they were feeling unwell. Thank you so much for helping to keep the staff, our extended vulnerable family members, and all in the school community safe. 

As we move into a second lockdown, we do not know what lies in store for us, and that can be very tough on all of our mental health. What I will say to you is that we are determined to keep Our Lady of Victories Girls' School open, if that is what is advised by NPHET and the Department of Education. In order to do so, we must do whatever we can to keep Covid19 from entering the school and I encourage you to monitor your daughter's health as you usually do. Do not send your daughter to school if she is displaying even very mild symptoms of Covid19 (available on HSE website). Please can I ask you again to wear a mask when collecting your daughter from the pedestrian gate as it is not possible to maintain 2m distance as the space is so small. This will protect all in the school community. In the event that the school receives communication from the HSE that a class or some pods in a class need to restrict their movements, we have a plan in place to deliver remote learning. This can be read here Policies. 

I wish you all the very best for the coming weeks. I know that many of you will be feeling anxious about what is to come. Please be assured that your wellbeing is as important to us as that of your daughter's. If you need to speak to anyone in the school, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 01-8379833 and we will assist you in any way we can. Claire Thomas our HSCL teacher is also available on 0874152165, if the office phone is busy. 

Myself and the staff will be taking a well deserved break for the Halloween mid-term and we will be fresh and ready to tackle whatever may face us on 2nd November. Stay safe, stay well and look after each other.
With my warmest wishes,
Lorna Greene
​School Principal