05 Nov 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
The students have continued with a settled return to school and attendance rates are excellent across the school. Next week we will showcase some of the amazing learning activities that have been occurring in all stages.
Below is current advice from the NSW Department of Education outlining attendance and COVID-safe guidelines for the school.
Student attendance at school
All students are expected to be at school unless they are unwell. Do not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms. Get tested for COVID-19 and follow NSW Health directions. Find your local testing clinics https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/testing/clinics
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you will be sent home and must not return to school unless you have either:
isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available
a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free.
In circumstances where a student has other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from your GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
Self-isolation periods and testing requirements differ for close contacts based on their exposure and vaccination status. If you are identified as a close contact, an authorised contact tracer from NSW Health or from the department's Health and Safety Directorate will contact you and let you know what you need to do. For more information, refer to the NSW Health fact sheet on close contactshttps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/advice-for-contacts.aspx
Please read the following message from the Department of Education: Compulsory School Attendance - Information for Parents
Late Arrivals and Early Leaving
It is important that all students are on time to begin class each morning. The school gates open from8:45 -9:15am and K-2 students are going into class at 9am so families need to make sure these changed times are built into family routines. Please make sure that medical appointments are made outside of school times whenever possible. Students should not be collected early from school unless there are exceptional circumstances.
COVID-safe measures at school
A combination of layered safety measures – vaccination, wearing masks, student cohorting, physical distancing, ventilation, hygiene and cleaning - allows us to prioritise student and staff wellbeing while we keep schools operational.
Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
Our new procedures are working very well and I appreciate that families have adjusted their own routines to help keep our community safe. Please remember that it is critically important to observe local parking regulations around the school to ensure the safety of our students. Double parking, parking in No Stopping zones is very simply inexcusable. Be patient and take the time to and from school where possible.
Kindergarten Orientation
This week the NSW Doe has lifted some restrictions on Kindergarten Orientation activities for schools. This is great news as we are now holding 2 face to face sessions for our 2022 Kindergarten students on December 1 and 8. Next Wednesday families of Kindergarten 2022 students have been invited to an Information session to outline the procedures for students starting school next year. Only families that have submitted a completed enrolment form have been invited to the planned orientation sessions. Following on from yesterday’s reminder if you have a child turning 5 before 31 July 2022 please contact the school office about submitting an enrolment form by Tuesday 9 November.
Other School Activities
The advice on which school activities are permitted changes on a regular basis depending on the current Public Health Order and advice from NSW DoE. The school currently has tentative plans for a number of stage based end of year activities and as more advice comes to hand more information will be shared with families.
Advice for Families
The link below provides updated advice for families. The content of this link changes regularly and families are encouraged to revisit it for updated information.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families#COVID-191
I hope all families have a relaxing weekend!
Kind Regards
Rob Jennings