Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Open Days/Nights for Year 6 and 7 pupils
Thu 05 Jan 2023Dear Parents/Guardians,
There are a number of Open Days taking place over the next few weeks for Y6 pupils and Y7 pupils in preparation for transition to Post-Primary.
Below is a list of the opening evenings taking place this month in order of date.
*Foyle College - Thursday 5th Jan - 6:30pm
*St Mary’s College - Saturday 7th Jan, 10am-1pm
*St. Cecilia’s College - Thursday 12th Jan, 5pm-8pm
*Oakgrove Integrated College - Thursday 12th Jan, 4:30pm-7pm
*St. Joseph’s Boys School - Friday 13th Jan, 10:30am-3:00pm
*St. Brigid’s College, Cairnhill - Thursday 19th Jan, 5pm-8pm
*St. Patrick’s and St. Brigid’s Claudy - Thursday 19th Jan, 7:00-9:15pm
*St. Columb’s College - Saturday 21st Jan, 10am
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
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Welcome Back to School January 2023
Wed 04 Jan 2023We wish all our families and the wider school community a very Happy New Year! We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school tomorrow, Thursday 5th January.
⭐Breakfast Club opens from 8am as normal
⭐AR/My Maths Club open in the morning as normal
⭐All other clubs will recommence from Monday 9th January and a message will be sent to parents over the next few days via the app about these.
See you all in the morning!
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Canteen Menu Change
Wed 04 Jan 2023**Change to Canteen Menu**
Please note that there is a change to the canteen menu for Thursday 5th January and Friday 6th January.
Please see the options now available below.
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Early Finish for Year 1 and 2 Friday 16th December
Sun 11 Dec 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
Due to our Open Afternoon taking place on Friday the 16th December, all Year 1 and 2 pupils will finish school at 12.30pm on this day.
We apologise for the inconvenience.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
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PHA Announcement regarding Strep
Tue 06 Dec 2022Public Health Agency Press Release issued on 6 December 2022
Public urged to be alert to signs of group A strep
Parents and guardians are being urged to be alert for the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections by the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Group A streptococcus bacteria usually cause a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, these bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).
As well as an increase in notifications of scarlet fever, which is above the levels we usually see at this time of year, the PHA is also aware of a higher number of cases of iGAS being reported across the UK.
While iGAS is still uncommon, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms of illnesses caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and seek medical advice so that their child can be treated appropriately and to help prevent the infection becoming serious.
What to do if you suspect your child has scarlet fever
Scarlet fever mainly affects children under 10, but people of any age can get it. In the early stages, symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.
The PHA is asking parents to contact their GP if they suspect their child has scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.
Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Scarlet fever usually clears up after about a week, but anyone who thinks they or a child may have it should contact a GP for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
“To limit the spread of scarlet fever it is also important to practise good hygiene by washing hands with warm water and soap, not sharing drinking glasses or utensils, and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. People should also stay away from nursery, school or work for 24 hours after taking the first dose of antibiotics.”
Don’t put off seeking help if your child continues to get worse
There can be a range of causes of sore throats, colds and coughs. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop an infection and that can make them more unwell.
The PHA is also urging parents to seek help if their child is very unwell or seems to be getting worse – even if they have started treatment. Parents should contact their GP if they feel:
- their child is getting worse;
- their child is feeding or eating much less than normal;
- their child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration;
- their baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher;
- their baby feels hotter than usual when they touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty;
- their child is very tired or irritable.
Call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs;
- there are pauses when your child breathes;
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue;
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.
Dr McClean continued: “The PHA has issued an urgent message to all primary and secondary care healthcare providers alerting them to increases in group A streptococcal infection. Acting quickly if you suspect anyone has this infection could make a difference to the outcomes.”
For further information on scarlet fever, visit www.pha.site/ScarletFever
Rises in recent cases of invasive group A streptococcus across the UK may be due in part to more social mixing, which may also result in other illnesses circulating at the same time. The PHA would therefore urge everyone eligible for the free flu vaccine to get it at the earliest opportunity. In particular we would urge parents of all pre-school children aged two years and over and those aged 6 months to 2 years who are in risk groups to avail of the free flu vaccine.
Find out who is eligible for the winter vaccines and where to get vaccinated see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines
Ends
Notes to editors
For the UKHSA update on Group A Strep and scarlet fever on 2 December 2022 visit www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep
The PHA has also written to Health and Social Care Trusts and GPs to inform them of an increase in GAS infections being seen across the UK, including in Northern Ireland. The letter advises that the increase in GAS infections has been accompanied by a rise in the rare, most serious, form of the infection called invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS).
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Christmas Newsletter
Mon 28 Nov 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
The December Newsletter is now available and contains all of the important dates you may need for the next few weeks.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
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After School Club Update November 28th 2022
Sun 27 Nov 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are now entering one of the busiest seasons in school as we prepare for Christmas: this includes our Nativities, Carol Service and all other events that we have planned for the children in the coming weeks.
The first 6 week block for After School Clubs have now come to an end and for the rest of December, most clubs, with a few exceptions, are going to be paused until after Christmas. We really hope that the children have enjoyed attending their clubs and we do look forward to restarting these again in January.
Anyone who was allocated Block B for Art/Cookery will now begin in January and confirmation of dates will be sent before we return to school for Term 2. Block C will start a little later in Term 2.
Those clubs which will continue to operate for a few weeks longer include: *Skill School Dance/ Skill School Multi Skill as per the agreed timetable with parents.
*Mrs Cunning's Tin Whistle Club as the children are currently learning a Christmas Tin Whistle song for performing.
* Mr McGuigan's Gaelic TBC
* Maiden City TBC.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
Principal
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Sacred Heart Primary School Open Afternoon
Wed 23 Nov 2022**Open Afternoon for all prospective new Year 1 Pupils**
We warmly invite you to our Open Afternoon for all parents/guardians of prospective Year 1 pupils for September 2023.
This will take place on Friday 16th December from 1pm until 3pm.
You will have the opportunity to:
*Meet the Year 1 teachers
*Meet the Principal
*Find out about our Morning and After school clubs
*Explore the Foundation Stage and learning environment
*Ask any questions you may have!
We look forward to meeting you all!
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Exceptional Closure Friday 18th November 202
Thu 17 Nov 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
We have been granted an Exceptional Closure for tomorrow, Friday 18th 2022, as our school heating system has failed suddenly.
School will therefore be closed to all tomorrow and we apologise for the inconvenience at this time.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
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Confirmation Date 2023
Mon 14 Nov 2022Dear Parents/Guardians,
I am delighted to inform you that Fr. Canny has confirmed the Confirmation date for pupils at Sacred Heart Primary School.
The boys and girls will make their Confirmation on Friday 31st March 2023 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Mrs McDermott's Class will celebrate Confirmation at 1.00pm.
Mrs MacAllister's Class will celebrate Confirmation at 3.00pm.
Fr Canny has instructed that each family group can be made up of: Child making Confirmation. their sponsor and 10 other family members.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Louise Cunning
