21 Jan 2021
25/01/2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope your Christmas and New Year have been wonderful celebrations and your family feels re-energized as we approach the start of the new school year.
I have received an update from the Department of Education outlining the restrictions in place for schools as we continue to live with the risks associated with COVID-19. Schools continue to be safe, and operations are in line with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and NSW Health advice.
While some guidelines remain that restrict our normal practice, there has been a relaxing in certain areas. I have outlined the key points below.
School Attendance:
Parents and carers are reminded that students must not attend school if they are unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms. Students with flu-like symptoms will need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.
Students should be at school unless:
· they have a medical certificate which states that they are unable to return to school due to an ongoing medical condition and the expected timeframe
· they are currently unwell.
Students who do not undertake a COVID-19 test will not be permitted to return to school for a 10-day period. Additionally, they must be symptom-free for at least 3 days prior to returning to school.
Students who have seasonal allergic rhinitis or another condition that presents similarly to flu-like symptoms are still required to get tested for COVID-19 and return a negative test result. Where their symptoms continue beyond 10 days, students should provide documentation from their GP confirming their symptoms are typical for their condition. If the student develops new or changed symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19.
Students will be supported to learn from home in the following circumstances:
· If they are required to self-isolate due to being a close contact of a positive or suspected COVID-19 case.
· Where the school is directed under public health advice to only remain operational for children of essential workers if an outbreak of COVID-19 were to arise in the local area.
Accessing the school:
Parents and carers can enter the school to:
⦁ meet with school staff with a scheduled appointment (this needs to have been booked in advance)
⦁ drop off students for Year 7
⦁ attend parent orientation meetings for Year 7 and ‘meet the teacher’ meetings with school staff for all year/stage groups
⦁ pick up their child if they are unwell or where they have been asked to arrange for a COVID-19 test after their child has displayed flu-like symptoms while at school
⦁ purchase or collect uniforms from the uniform shop/front office
⦁ work in the uniform shop or the canteen.
All visitors must sign the external visitors form each time they visit the school regardless of the frequency and duration of the visit.
Personal Precautions:
⦁ Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks in schools will not be prevented from doing so.
⦁ Masks are not mandatory for parents and carers visiting schools, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons within this advice and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while on site.
⦁ Widespread temperature screening is not required or recommended in schools.
School operations:
⦁ Bubblers in NSW schools can now be turned on although students are encouraged to bring water bottles from home that they can refill when needed.
⦁ Swimming and other sporting carnivals can proceed with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
⦁ Gala days, placement tests, school performances, Schools Spectacular and other major school events can be planned for 2021 with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
⦁ Singing events can continue. Up to 5 performers can sing indoors and there is no limit on the number of performers singing outdoors.
⦁ P&C meetings can continue at school after hours.
These precautionary measures ensure that our schools remain safe places for everyone at the commencement of the 2021 school year. I look forward to seeing your children back at school and continuing to work with them and you as we write our new school plan for continued improvement for all our young people.
Yours sincerely
Linda Langton
Principal