Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

The following information/reminders may prove useful:

 

Covid-19 Update:

We are planning to open the school to students as normal beginning on Tuesday September 1st. These dates and plans will be subject to HSE guidelines and may be subject to change. If any changes are necessary, we will communicate those changes to you.

We are preparing the school to welcome everyone back to what is now a new normal. Hand sanitisation units and signage are now in place.

 

2020/2021 Return to School Dates

Thursday 27th August – Staff Day

Friday 28th August – Staff Day

Monday 31st August – Staff Day

Tuesday 1st September – First Years Only – full day

Wednesday 2nd September – 6th Years and LCA 2

Thursday 3rd September – 3rd year

Friday 4th September – 5th year and LCA 1

Monday 7th September – 2nd Year

Tuesday 8th September – TY

 

Base Classrooms at Junior Cycle: Students at Junior Cycle are going to be based in the same room for most of their classes as a way of limiting movement and contact throughout the building. They will still move for practical subjects where they need to access equipment for that subject. Base classrooms will be open first thing every morning and students must go directly there upon entering the building and take their assigned seat. Seating has been arranged to allow for social distance of 1 metre.

Junior students will also have the designated toilet block in this area.

Any room with its own external exit door will facilitate exit when it is permitted and always under teacher observation.

Tutor classrooms at Senior Cycle: Senior Cycle Students will have a tutor room available for them every morning and they will need to go directly there upon entering the building and take their assigned seat.

Lockers: Lockers will not be available this year due to restrictions around social distancing. Students in Junior Cycle will have their own base room for most subjects, reducing their movement around the school and therefore reducing the need for lockers. We would encourage students to bring only the books and equipment they require for that day. All books and materials must be brought home with them each evening.

One Hour Classes: We have changed the structure of the day meaning classes will now last one hour instead of forty minutes, again the purpose is to reduce movement around the building during the school day. There will be no change to the start or finish times of the day.

Face Coverings: Government advice is that all staff and students need to wear a face covering in school. Students must have clean face coverings on every day. Students are expected to provide their own face coverings.

Specific Entrances and exits: In order to reduce traffic in the building year groups will be allocated doors to use in the mornings and afternoons.

  • 1st Year and 2nd Year will use the student entrance opposite the Mercy Hall
  • 3rd Year and TY will use the entrance into the assembly area from the New Hall side of the building
  • 5th and 6th Year will use the entrance to the practical area beside the photocopy room on the New Hall side of the building.
  • Staff and visitors will use the Main Entrance, but visitors will be strictly by appointment only.

One Way System: A one-way system will be in operation where it allows for this to happen and additional barriers are being prepared for the corridors to separate traffic from left to right, where necessary.

Leaving site: No one will have permission to leave site during morning break. During lunch 1st and 2nd Year must remain in school. They can use the school canteen or bring a packed lunch. Again, the need to reduce large groups of students congregating in town is necessary.

Uniform:  We will be operating our normal uniform policy. The Coláiste Cholmcille school uniform is available from Slevin’s and Herron’s Boutique Ballyshannon. The uniform consists of a blue crested sweater, school skirt/black trousers (of which two are advised), white shirt and optional school tie.  Students must wear sensible black or brown shoes.  No stripes, designs, white or coloured soles or white laces are permitted.  (Please see additional page on uniform)

Fleece:  The official school fleece with crest will be available to buy in Slevin’s, Ballyshannon. (This is the only fleece allowed to be worn in class)

School Coat:  Students may only wear the official school crested coat as an alternative/in addition to the school fleece.  School coat will be available in Slevin’s, Ballyshannon.

Canteen:  The school canteen offers a range of hot food and snacks at morning break and lunchtime.  The Breakfast Club, from 8.15am daily, is available to all students.

Book Rental:  Coláiste Cholmcille operates a Book Rental Scheme. All the required books are supplied but must be well cared for by the students. Copies, pens, etc. are not included in the Book Scheme.

 

One student €190 Fees and Book Rental
Two students €350 Fees and Book Rental
Three students €495 Fees and Book Rental
More than Three €495 Extra Book Rental only at €100 per additional student
LCA €85 LCA: fees only €85
TY €125  

 

Payments: These payments cover/subsidise a range of services and activities including, photocopying, materials for practical subjects, house exams, lockers, mock exams, retreats, school library services and the Coláiste Cholmcille Journal.

We have introduced a facility to allow you to pay school expenses securely online with your debit or credit card. We would encourage ALL parents to avail of this facility. Go to the School Home Webpage (www.ccbs.ie) click on payment link at top and you will see Easy Payment button & instructions to activate account.  We ask you to continue to make payments and thank those who have already made payments.

Parents’ Association: Each year our Parents’ Association organise a series of activities, events and publications to support the parents/guardians and students of Coláiste Cholmcille.  All parents/guardians are automatically members of the Association and a voluntary contribution to the Association of €15 per family can also be paid online as above.

Pupil Insurance: Pupil Insurance – 24 Hour cover – €10.00 / School Related Activities – €6.00, again paid online.

If your child has developed any medical problems or requires special medication it is important to notify the school prior to the beginning of the school year.

I hope you and your families enjoy the rest of the summer.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Cora Fagan

Principal