Dear Parent/Carer

Please see below for emails that have been sent to all Lower and Upper Sixth students which explain a decision which has been reached regarding Lower Sixth Level 3 lessons.  Today’s challenges at Loreto College regarding staff absence due to self-isolation have made it unsustainable to attempt to operate ‘business as usual’.  Therefore, a decision has been made to prioritise the teaching of our Upper 6^th students and those students who will be taking external examinations or completing qualifications this summer for the next few days, following which (or perhaps during which) we will learn more about the government’s advice to educational institutions. Depending on the advice provided by the government and College circumstances, these arrangements may continue into next week and beyond.

Thank you in anticipation of your understanding and very best wishes to you all and to your families during this unprecedented experience in all of our lives.

Peter McGhee

Principal

For Lower 6th students

Dear students

 Thank you for your continued patience, resilience and hard work during this ongoing period of uncertainty.  At Loreto, we continue to act upon the advice that we are being given and to do everything possible to prioritise your education and your wellbeing.  We are using College email accounts as our main method of communication with you and we are posting general advice on the College website.

 Some students who have had to self-isolate this week have experienced difficulty in accessing resources or emails from home.  Please can you check that you are able to do this via a PC, laptop, tablet or phone.

Those of you who have attended College this week will be aware that we have a number of staff who are unable to be in work.  This has reached a level which is proving difficult to sustain.  Therefore, for the next few days, I have decided to prioritise the teaching of students who are completing qualifications this year.

On Thursday 19th and Friday 20th March all Lower 6^th lessons will be cancelled with the exception of the following:

• BTEC Level 2 Diploma/Extended Certificate
• GCSE
• Core Maths

The above lessons will be taking place and students should attend College as usual. For all other lessons, staff will be contacting students via email with further guidance and instructions. Lower 6^th students who are not attending lessons must not come in to college and should remain off-site.

Depending on the advice provided by the government and College circumstances, these arrangements may continue into next week and beyond.

I apologise that it has proved necessary to take this temporary step whilst waiting to see what emerges over the next few days.  I hope that you will appreciate and understand the need to prioritise the teaching for those students who will be finishing College this year.  Any time which becomes available to staff will be directed towards producing and sharing resources that you can access remotely.

Please remember that you can remain in contact with your teachers, tutor and Head of Hall via email.

Very best wishes to you all and to your families during this unprecedented experience in all of our lives. 

Peter McGhee, Principal

For Upper 6^th students

Dear students

Thank you for your continued patience, resilience and hard work during this ongoing period of uncertainty.  At Loreto, we continue to act upon the advice that we are being given and to do everything possible to prioritise your education and your wellbeing.  We are using College email accounts as our main method of communication with you and we are posting general advice on the College website.

Some students who have had to self-isolate this week have experienced difficulty in accessing resources or emails from home.  Please can you check that you are able to do this via a PC, laptop, tablet or phone.  

Those of you who have attended College this week will be aware that we have a number of staff who are unable to be in work.  This has reached a level which is proving difficult to sustain.  Therefore, for the next few days, I have decided to prioritise the teaching of students who are completing qualifications this year. 

On Thursday 19th and Friday 20th March the following lessons will be running:

• Upper 6^th A Level and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
• U6th BTEC Extended Diploma
• SSP lessons
• GCSE
• EPQ
• Lower 6^th classes for U6th students who are taking the subject in a year

There will be no lessons taking place for Lower 6^th students unless they are completing a qualification this year. 

Depending on the advice provided by the government and College circumstances, these arrangements may continue into next week and beyond. 

I apologise that it has proved necessary to take this temporary step whilst waiting to see what emerges over the next few days.  I hope that you will appreciate and understand the need to prioritise the teaching for those students who will be finishing College this year.  Any time which becomes available to staff will be directed towards producing and sharing resources that you can access remotely. 

Please remember that you can remain in contact with your teachers, tutor and Head of Hall via email.

Very best wishes to you all and to your families during this unprecedented experience in all of our lives.

Peter McGhee, Principal