Several children have tested positive for Covid-19 at a school in Co Kildare.
Salesian College in Celbridge sent an urgent letter to parents after "a number" of positive coronavirus cases were confirmed.
Principal Brenda Kearns urged parents and guardians not to send students in if they are showing any symptoms.
Ms Kearns revealed that the school was forced to send several pupils home when it was "blatantly obvious" they shouldn't have come in.
She wrote: "I believe there is an increasing awareness about the importance of all these precautions and that it is up to each individual to protect themselves and their families.
"I write to advise all parents that we have been alerted by parents of students in the school and the HSE of a small number of positive cases for Covid-19.
"I would like to assure all parents and guardians that we are following all the HSE’s advice and we have shared with them any information requested.
"It is important for us here in the school that we have the correct information and that we deal with and manage any positive cases safely and appropriately for the health and safety of all our school community.
"It will only be on professional and medical advice that we will make any decision to send students home, be that by class or year group or named individuals.
"We have every confidence in the HSE and public health officials.
"I re-iterate with parents & guardians that students should not be sent to school if they are in any way unwell.
"We have sent a number of students home quite early in the day when it was blatantly obvious that they should not have come to school in the first place. We simply cannot take any chances on this.
"It is our aim to continue working with all our wonderful and cooperative students in a safe and healthy environment and again I thank you all for your cooperation with this."
