Dear Parents / Carers
This is just a short communication to give you a quick update on our current situation with regards to COVID. A more detailed end of term letter will be coming out on Monday.
Over the last few days our COVID cases have been rising slowly and we currently have 30 students off school and 6 members of staff. As part of updated government guidance and our own outbreak management plan, students have been wearing face coverings in communal areas in school since Monday 8th November.
Face coverings
We are asking students and staff to wear face coverings in lessons next week (with the exception of PE, drama and music) as an additional measure to help reduce the spread of COVID.
Testing
Please can I encourage you to continue to test (LFD) on Sunday and Wednesday. If your child tests positive they should self-isolate immediately and book a confirmatory PCR test: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
It is inevitable at this time of year that there are lots of other seasonal viral infections in circulation. Please do not send your child to school if they are feeling unwell with sore throats or other general cold symptoms.
If your child develops symptoms of COVID, even if they’re mild, get a PCR test to see if they have COVID as soon as possible: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Your child should stay at home and self-isolate until they get the result.
Please report any positive results online and also send an email to COVID19@priory.herts.sch.uk.
The co-ordination of online learning will be undertaken by the Head of Key Stage (Key Stage 3 Mr Freeland Rob.Freeland@priory.herts.sch.uk; Key Stage 4 Miss Follano Claudia.Follano@priory.herts.sch.uk).
Staff absence
With staff off due to COVID there will be disruption to normal learning. Lessons are covered in the vast majority of cases by our in-house cover supervisors and fellow teachers but also by supply teachers when necessary.
My letter on Monday will be less bland and contain more Christmas Spirit; I need to work at not being seen as The Grinch!
Take care,
Geraint Edwards