Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope your families have enjoyed the term break and we look forward to seeing the students when they resume school tomorrow.

Due to recent events in Victoria and parts of NSW, I have received updated advice regarding the return to school for Term 3.

Staff and students who have travelled through or visited Victoria

As you would be aware, the border between NSW and Victoria closed as of 8 July 2020.

All staff and students who have been in Victoria in the 14 days before the commencement of school should not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria. Please be in contact if you require clarification of this advice.

Pick up and drop off times

We are continuing to encourage parents and carers of older students to make use of kiss and drop zones, if safe to do so. We are permitting parents and carers of younger students to enter school grounds to drop off and pick up children and we thank you for your cooperation in limiting time on school grounds, avoiding congregating and remaining 1.5m apart from others. Similarly, if parents/carers are feeling unwell, please avoid entering the school grounds. Parents and carers are encouraged to make use of phone calls/emails to make contact with staff for non-urgent matters.

Hygiene measures

We are still reinforcing good hygiene practices at school such as regular washing of hands, avoiding the sharing of food and personal items and cleaning of any shared items such as learning and sporting equipment between uses. Staff and students are encouraged to stay at home if they are unwell.

Students should continue to bring a drink bottle for water refills rather than drink directly from the bubbler.

Activities on hold until further notice

A small number of activities remain on hold and will be reconsidered during Term 3:

• Kindergarten orientation
• School camps
• Excursions (other than field trips with specific criteria)
• Parent and carer attendance at assemblies and other school events 
• Parent and carer volunteers – e.g. parent reading helpers (note: SRE/SEE, canteen and uniform shop volunteers are permitted)
• School-based activities that involve large gathering of adults. These include parent/community gatherings such as parent functions, working bees, fundraisers, school BBQs, large parent information evenings, and large on-site cultural events.

At this stage, it looks like our planned Athletics carnival can go ahead. Unfortunately, we are unable to invite the community to join us on the day.

Attendance

We thank families for their support in ensuring students who are unwell remain at home. Please follow the usual processes for alerting the school to your child’s absence. (Phone, note, email or via the App.) If students are absent due to illness for more than 3 days, please provide a medical certificate. 

Medical certificates will also need to be provided if a student is not sick, but absent due to an ongoing medical condition that places them in a high risk category for COVID. This is also the case if the student lives with a family member in one of the categories identified as being at increased risk by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). The school will support student learning from home for these students, as well as students who are subject to a Public Health Order directive (family recently returned to Australia).

School Cleaning

Schools are continuing to receive an additional clean during the day in line with AHPPC guidance. This includes cleaning frequently touched areas in bathrooms after breaks, as well as replenishing supplies such as soap and hand towels that are provided by the school. High touch surfaces such as balustrades and handrails in the playground and stairwells are also wiped with disinfectant.

Please be in contact if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Lisa Lupton

Principal