A SCHOOL in Swanmore has been forced to cancel its Christmas lunches this week due to staff sickness.

Swanmore College has said that “with great regret” it has had to cancel the festive meals for three of its year groups.

Publishing the announcement on its Facebook page, the school said that the Year 9 lunch was cancelled on Wednesday, and Year 10 and 11 will not have their Christmas meals today.

It has added that the kitchen will be closed for the rest of the week and advised parents to provide packed lunches.

The post published yesterday reads: “With great regret, we have had to cancel Christmas Lunch today for Year 9 and tomorrow for Year 10 and Year 11 due to staff sickness.

“Please also be advised the kitchen will now be fully closed on Thursday and Friday of this week. Please provide your child with a packed lunch.

“Today, Year 9 pupils will go to lunch 10 minutes early at 10.50am to ensure they are all fed, as there will be no afternoon food service. All other year groups will break for lunch at 11:00 for their normal food service.

“As soon as we are able to do so, we will transfer the Christmas Lunch money to pupils' Scopay account.

“We are all devastated for the pupils who will miss out, however, we have been left with no choice.”

In response, one parent posted: “Shame for the children, and probably a logistical nightmare for the school too... It's tough times at the moment, unfortunately things are going to get cancelled at the last minute but as long as we all pull together it makes it much easier for everyone.”