Armagh prinicipal pens letter to parents to warn pupils against house parties

by Q Radio News

A Lurgan school principal has warned parents that some sixth form pupils are planning to attend house parties this weekend. 

Fiona Kane of St. Ronan's College says such action is causing a "great deal of concern" in the school. 

In a letter to parents, she urged them to take steps to help prevent their children from attending the house parties and to stop engaging in "risk-taking behaviours". 

St. Ronan's College has more than 1,500 pupils, with around 330 being in sixth form. 

Ms Kane said in the letter, she had been made aware of plans for a number of house parties in the Lurgan area involving pupils. 

While she also accepted young people have the right to a life outside of school, Ms Kane says these actions put both them and other members of the school community at risk. 

"We have been informed of a number of planned parties, including indoor house parties and other social gatherings over this coming weekend involving a number of our sixth form pupils.

"However, their health and safety and that of our entire college community is of paramount importance to us, particularly whilst we are still working and living through this pandemic. she continued.

"Such gatherings, as described above, are in breach of current guidance and legislation. Participants in these activities are also subject to fines."

Ms Kane added, "We do not want to have any outbreak of the coronavirus in the college."