Christmas Day ruined for 17 NI school girls told to self-isolate

The principal of Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, Fiona McAlinden, described as “horrible” phone calls both she and vice-principals had to make on Sunday telling parents their daughters needed to self-isolate on Christmas Day.

“Yesterday my vice-principals and I phoned 17 families to tell them that their daughters have to self-isolate up to and including Christmas Day,” said Principal McAlinden.

“Our parents were so gracious and understanding, but those calls were still horrible to make,” she added.

Principal McAlinden said she wanted Our Lady’s Grammar School and all other schools in Northern Ireland to scale back on face-to-face education earlier in December because she wanted to avoid a scenario where pupils would be forced to self-isolate over Christmas.

“It has been clear to me and many other school leaders, since before Halloween, that schools should have moved to remote learning on December 11 to avoid this scenario, but our voices were not listened to.

“How can it not be obvious that schools should deliver remote learning for the first fortnight in January?

“Exceptions could be made for P7s and Year 12s, so that the transfer test and GCSE English and Maths modules could go ahead, but limited numbers would reduce risk for everyone.

“Supervision could be provided for the children of key workers,” said Principal McAlinden.