LATE on Friday, long after schools closed for the week - some for Christmas - principals received two letters.
While the first caused anger, it provided some clarity - that schools will open in January, in the middle of a lockdown.
The second, which landed close to 9pm, was greeted by apoplexy.
Primary school heads are being encouraged - some argue guilted - to rescue unregulated, privately-run 11-plus-style exams.
Even if the education minister claims his statements were not released to miss the evening news cycle and teaching unions on Friday, that was the result.
In The Irish News last week, it was written, half-jokingly, that schools would only be kept open to save the transfer tests.
We know now that this is no joke. Peter Weir is determined that they must happen.
They don't need to, and he knows that. Some grammar schools have decided it is not worth it.
It was also written that the easiest solution was - like GCSEs and A-levels - to cancel them. This remains an option.
Concerns have rightly been raised about grammar schools bringing children from several different bubbles together on exam days.
There had been some talk months ago around 'why not allow children to take tests in their primary school?'. Months ago.
Now, out of the blue, Mr Weir said hosting in the pupil's own primary school is "clearly" his preferred option for this year and "in fact every year".
So clear that this is the first anyone has ever heard him express this publicly.
He added that he was sure some principals would be willing to compromise but it "has become clear to me over this year that others will not".
Principals have received no official correspondence from the minister at any time asking them for their views.
What is clear, is that the impending six-week lockdown has pulled the rug from under the grammar schools and their champions. You cannot expect to get away with bringing hundreds of children together when the rest of society is grinding to a halt.
This has created a problem for Mr Weir. Rather than cancel the exams - and he still can - principals say he is trying to guilt primary schools to host the tests for the sake of the children.
There is barely any time - less than three weeks until the first paper, and schools are closed for two of those.
The old 11-plus involved external invigilators coming into primary schools to inspect the test setting - ensuring walls were covered, time keeping was accurate, there would be no cheating interruptions/assistance and so forth.
There is no suggestion of any of that. There is no plan. Just a desperate plea and a lot of resentment that will boil over next term.
