Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Wednesday 15°CThursday 14°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusDerry CityHealthNews

Omicron spread: Derry principal calls for extended break

written by cassoscoop January 3, 2022
ShareTweet

St Cecilia’s School principal Martine Mulherne

A DERRY school principal has advocated for an extended Christmas break to manage an immediate loss of staff amid surging Omicron cases and to allow schools to stay open long-term.

On a St Cecilia’s College Twitter account, Principal Martine Mulherne said “we are all in the same storm but not in the same boat” as some families will have followed guidance over Christmas and the New Year while others didn’t.

However, pupils from 30 different households will have to sit next to each other in a “confined space” regardless of their adherence to restrictions, she explained.

Covid cases have rocketed across the North of Ireland in recent weeks and the Derry City and Strabane District Council area has the highest seven-day rate at 2,947 per 100,000 of population.

Ms Mulherne made it clear that she was not casting judgement but stated that in the interests of student and staff welfare schools should remain shut for the rest of the week.

“This week children of these families will have no choice but to sit beside other children whose families may have chosen to celebrate in the more traditional way and not strictly followed current guidance. Remember I’m not here to judge – I’m no angel,” she said.

“All of the sacrifice of families with vulnerable members may well have been in vain.

“We’re being told Omicron is highly transmissible, much more so than the Delta variant.

“The symptoms of Omicron are ‘milder’ than the Delta variant. But ‘mild’ is a relative term – symptoms may be ‘mild’ to the healthy and yet much more serious to the vulnerable.”

Ms Mulherne added: “So this week in all of our schools we are planning a return of classes of up to 30 children from 30 different households in a confined space with ‘open windows’, ‘mask’ wearing and washing hands as the mitigations. Anyone like to make a prediction?

“If the current trend of Covid cases continue it is highly probable that an immediate return to school after festivities may result in an immediate loss of staff (illness or self isolation periods) with no possibility of replacing them due to the shortage of substitute teachers.

“Schools are due back on the 3rd/ 4th of this week.

“Giving us a 3/4 day ‘break’ from face to face teaching this week may not only help to keep our children, staff and their families safer but may also give us a fighting chance to keep our schools open in the weeks and months ahead.”

Omicron spread: Derry principal calls for extended break was last modified: January 7th, 2022 by cassoscoop

Tags:
Covid casesDelta variantDerry Citymask wearingOmicron spread: Derry principal calls for extended breakOmicron variantopen windowssocial distancingst cecilia's college
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

7 hours ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

7 hours ago

Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event

13 hours ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

13 hours ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

13 hours ago

Harkin: MPs must vote down punitive welfare...

1 day ago

Mayor welcomes first cohort of Medical School...

1 day ago

Eastwood to oppose British Government’s disability cuts

1 day ago

Mayor announces charities of the year and...

1 day ago

Two males arrested over vehicle crime incidents...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025
  • Woman charged to Derry court over shop robbery

    June 25, 2025
  • Killer Hazel Stewart loses appeal over ‘cruel’ double Co Derry murders

    June 25, 2025
  • Dosey Derry rally fan to donate €275 to hospice after THIRD street sleep

    June 25, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy