NI school no longer able to cater for vulnerable students as front-line NHS staff move in

St. Malachy's College, Belfast, school principal, Mr. P. McBride, shared a copy of the letter on the school's Facebook page on Tuesday.

From tomorrow (Wednesday April 8) vulnerable students and the children of key workers at St. Malachy's College will now be housed in Dominican College, Fortwilliam in north Belfast.

The front-line NHS workers who will be using the school's facilities are based in the Mater Hospital, Belfast.

The Mater Hospital is the base for the fight against Coronavirus in the Belfast area.

"Thus far, we have had a very small uptake from parents requiring supervision for their sons," explained Mr. McBride.

"However, we have remained open everyday with a skeleton staff (rota basis) working on site."

Mr. McBride said any parents who need to organise supervision for their sons must send an email before noon the day before the supervision is required.

Once organised, parents must then take their children to Dominican College where they will be met by staff from St. Malachy's College.

Mr. McBride encouraged parents, pupils and carers to be "proud" and "pleased" that the school premises will be used by front-line NHS workers who are battling COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.

"All of us at the college should be pleased and indeed proud that we can allow our historic buildings and impressive facilities to support the NHS and play a vital role in the fight against the silent enemy COVID-19.

"I thank parents for all their messages and support and comments appreciating the efforts of our staff who are continuing to work in school and remotely, using the Google Classroom forum."

He added: " I want to put on record that I am very grateful to Dominican College for offering their premises and services to allow us to help our health service.

"Please continue to look after yourselves, your loved ones, others who need your help and of course, keep our Malachians to a good routine and ensure the benefit from the ICT material and contact with our teachers."

Thus far, 70 people have died in Northern Ireland after testing positive for COVID-19 and there have been 1,158 confirmed cases of the deadly virus.