17 Mar 2020
The Department of Education Secretary, Mark Scott, has communicated additional measures to be undertaken in schools to help manage the transmission of COVID-19 in the wider community. NSW Education has been planning and operating in accordance with NSW Ministry of Health advice to support the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. Based on this advice, a phased social distancing strategy has been implemented as of today, Monday 16 March 2020.
Our school is open and classes are continuing. The decision about when and if the school is to be closed will be a decision that will be made based on the best health advice through the Department of Education.
Below is an outline of the changes to operation and routine at our school for Weeks 8 and 9 to support the social distancing strategy. We will update this plan as more information and advice becomes available.
School Excursions, Assemblies and School Events
The following activities have been cancelled for this term:
- World’s Greatest Shave
- Harmony Day
- All excursions
- Whole school and year group assemblies
- PS Enrichment Program
- Work experience / work placement
Food and other learning related activities
- Food Technology and Hospitality classes will continue as per their program including the preparation, cooking and consumption of food. Our Home Economics teachers have stringent hygiene protocols in their kitchens and will maintain their vigilance in this matter.
Sports Activities
- Zone/District, Sydney East, NSWPSSA and NSWCHSSA activities will be 'temporarily ceased until further notice'.
- Thursday sport will continue, however it will be re-organised for Years 8, 9 and 10 as grade teams and recreational sports are ceased temporarily. Year 7 sport will continue as planned.
What we all can do to help manage the spread of COVID-19
- Stay home if you are sick. The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount. If your child is unwell with respiratory illness, they should remain home until symptoms resolve and, where appropriate, seek advice from a medical practitioner (and call ahead first).
- Wash hands regularly and thoroughly. Clean hands thoroughly for at least 20-seconds with soap and water.
- Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue, disposing of the tissue straight away and then washing your hands.
- Posters will be displayed around the school to remind students and staff of these protocols. These posters are attached to this email.
Updated international travel restrictions
On the 15 March, the Government put in place new measures for people arriving in Australia.
Individuals must self-isolate for a period of 14 days on arrival to Australia, including returning Australian citizens and residents.
You are also required to self-isolate if you have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 or if you have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection.
This is a changing situation. We will provide further updates to our families as they become available from NSW Education