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Bishop Richard has recorded a special return to school welcome video for secondary school staff and pupils, you can watch it here. Bishop Richard says:

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Dear Staff and Students,

Once again we are emerging from the lockdown arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic and all our schools are opening their doors to welcome people back again. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the work that has been going on in recent months for the students who have been in school and for everything that has been done to support learning at home. This has required flexibility on everybody’s part and a lot of work for teachers in resourcing different ways of learning. The return to school has demanded a lot of work too so, a big “thank you” for all that is being done.

If I may say a word to students: if you have been at home during the lockdown welcome back. I am very conscious that those in the years of public examinations may be particularly anxious but remember that you have so much to offer. I would like to share with you some words of St. Catherine of Sienna: “Be the person you are meant to be and you will set the world alight”.

I know you will look after each other in school this term, doing all that is required to keep everybody safe.

I do hope it will not be too long before I am able to start visiting schools again. Be assured of my prayers for you all as you return to school and prepare to celebrate the wonderful Feast of Easter.

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