Sacramental Arrangements 2021
Please see the following update for dates and arrangements for First Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Post-Primary Applications
The Post-Primary application process will take place online, for the first time, in 2021. The application will be open from 12 noon on 1 March and will remain open until 4pm on 16 March. You will be able to access it on the EA’s website.
It is important that you read the admissions criteria for the schools that you may wish to apply to. These criteria, along with guidance on the process, are available on the EA’s website:
Road Safety Education Tasks - Be Safe, Be Seen
Dear Parent, these tasks are designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue. The focus is “Be Safe, Be Seen” and encourages the use of bright, fluorescent and reflective clothing when out and about as a pedestrian, on a bicycle/scooter or riding a horse either during the day or in mornings/evenings when it can still be dark. Use the opportunity of your daily exercise to allow children to learn through wearing clothing that can easily be seen by other road users and by identifying bright/reflective clothing or markings on people, objects or vehicles in your environment which make them easier to be seen by the human eye during the day or night. There are also two follow up activities which can be printed out and completed by your child.
Be Safe, Be Seen Task For Ages 4-7
On your daily exercise or when your child/children are travelling in the car with you, play a game of “Be Safe, Be Seen”. This could be something as simple as “who can be the first person to spot 5/10different ways somebody or something use to make it easier for other road users to see them/it”.
Be Safe, Be Seen Task For Ages 8-11
On your daily exercise or when your child/children are travelling in the car with you, play a game of “Be Safe, Be Seen”. This could be something as simple as “who can be the first person to spot 10/20 different ways somebody or something use to make it easier for other road users to see them/it”.
You could look out for some of the following in your local area;
Flashing lights on a bicycle
Reflective strips on the trousers of a work person
Runner/cyclist wearing a fluorescent jacket
Walker wearing bright clothes
Emergency vehicle with its bright colours and/or flashing lights
Worker wearing a hi-vis vest
Reflectors on a bicycle
Flashing lights/bright colours at a pedestrian crossing
Road signs with bright colours or reflective parts
Bollards with reflective strips
Lorries or other vehicles with bright colours or reflective strips
Towers with a flashing light on top
Fluorescent cycling helmets
Warning signs with bright colours or reflective strips
Dog wearing a bright coat or reflective collar
As road users (whether as a pedestrian, cyclist or driver) we all know how much easier it is to see something which is bright especially during dull days or when it is dark.
Fluorescent colours make it easier for you to be seen during the day and reflective materials make it easier for you to be seen at night. Encourage your child/children to wear these materials when they are out. It will help to keep them safe!
For further information, why not have a look at the following resources to assist you in teaching your child how to use our roads safely and effectively as they develop:
Watch the following short video: https://youtu.be/-HlOJqqL56U
To view the teaching aid calendars that are issued in hard copy to every primary school across Northern Ireland providing each class teacher with a weekly photograph, message and discussion note on a road safety theme: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars
A road safety education leaflet “Be Safe, Be Seen”:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/be-safe-be-seen-leaflet
A recently produced guide for Parents of children aged 0-7 years: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/parents-guide-road-safety-0-7-years
General road safety information for parents of 7-11 year old children: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-seven-11-year-olds
General road safety information for parents of young children: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-children-under-seven
Pedestrian safety leaflet: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/pedestrians-leafet
Give Your Child a Helping Hand
If you spend time playing, talking, reading and counting with your child, this can make a big difference in how well they do at school. Take a look at the following link for lots of tips, advice and fun activities that you can use to help support your child's learning.
Internet & Online Safety
The Internet can be wonderful for kids. It can be used by pupils to extend their learning, to communicate with friends and to play interactive games. Using the internet on any device also comes with risks, like inappropriate content, cyberbullying and stranger danger. Parents should always be aware of what their kids see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves. Talk with your kids, use tools to protect them, and keep an eye on their activities.
There are many tools available to help you control what your kids access online and to help keep them safe. Parental Control options are available on different devices, apps and websites. You can also get software that helps block access to sites, restricts personal information from being sent and monitors online activity.