Lambton PS implements the guidelines of NSW Department of Education as applicable for our context. The NSW Department of Education follows the advice of NSW Department of Health. The following guidelines are current as at 3:00pm, Friday 23 July.
The latest advice for families is available on NSW Department of Education website. Advice for families (nsw.gov.au) If you are unsure about whether or not your child should be at school please contact the school office to discuss in advance. We are happy to help.
Level 2 COVID Guidelines – Lambton PS
Updates will be communicated as required through Skoolbag.
Attendance
All staff and students are expected to be at school unless they have even the mildest of COVID symptoms.
Under the current health orders, there is nothing to restrict students and staff who must attend school from moving between two areas with different levels of restrictions. Students and staff should reduce travelling to geographical areas with higher levels of COVID restrictions in place.
Students should not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
Masks
While at school, masks or face coverings are recommended in all indoor settings for:
- all students in Year 7 and above
- all staff in school settings.
Masks are mandatory on public transport for students aged 13 years and over, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services.
Visitors
Non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools. Some visitors are permitted in schools based on the guidelines that follow.
Parents and carers of Lambton PS students K-6 should make drop off and pick up arrangements in advance so that your child knows what they need to do (eg, how are they being collected today). Some staff will be present at key gates in the morning to assist students with making their way into school. Parents and carers must not enter school grounds without prior approval from the principal until further notice. School grounds begin at the boundary fence/gates. Please assist us to implement these guidelines and do our part to keep our community safe and well.
Parents should:
- maintain physical distancing by avoiding gathering outside of school gates
- remain outside of school grounds (note some exceptions may apply for vulnerable students or students with disability – consultation and approval must be confirmed in advance with reasons specified)
- follow mask-wearing requirements and sign-in using the Service NSW QR code when entering the school
- contact the office or teachers through email or phone rather than coming into the office (any payments, etc can be made online).
Who is permitted:
Staff providing essential support for student wellbeing are permitted on site, such as home school liaison officers (HSLO) and counsellors, workers supporting the infrastructure development and maintenance of schools can continue on site. This includes contractors, general assistants and other grounds support staff. As of today, essential visitors will be asked if they live in Greater Sydney. Proof of residence will need to be sighted. Anyone from the Fairfield area will need to show evidence of having a COVID test within the last 3 days and anyone from the Greater Sydney area within the last 7 days.
Checking in and out
The NSW Government have introduced mandatory QR codes across a range of additional settings, including schools. Staff and on-site visitors, including contractors, will be required to check in every day. If a person is unable to provide contact details, another person may provide contact details on their behalf.
Parents and carers or other visitors to the school who do not have access to electronic devices for the purposes of QR check-in can:
- authorise another person to provide their contact details on their behalf
- provide their details to the school to be recorded in an appropriate manner for provision to NSW Health should it be required.
What is permitted
Schools can continue to operate:
- Scripture and Ethics
- Sport within school grounds may continue, provided mingling of students is minimised
- Work experience
- Emergency drills.
The following additional activities can continue on school sites:
- childhood education services (OSHC, vacation care, preschools etc.)
- playgroups
- school holiday programs
- all external providers and specialist programs not directly related to educational outcomes and support, eg, band, rock band, sport in schools, etc.
School based activities permitted with modification:
- Assemblies can be held with COVID-Safe practices in place. No visitors permitted
- Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs are permitted if conducted outside in a well-ventilated area
- Bands and ensembles are permitted in line with Health advice on maximum indoor and outdoor gatherings
- Dance or drama are permitted in line with COVID-safe practices within classes
- Library activities are permitted in line with the Infection Control requirements
- Principal-endorsed activities for students are permitted in line with COVID-safe practices.
- Events
- Excursions should be limited to outdoor locations within the local government area of the school where the school can demonstrate COVID-safe practices
- Parents and carers may attend school for the purposes of school orientation programs
- Inter-school sport can continue with COVID-safe practices in place. More advice is coming regarding gala days and regional/state activities
Community activities
The following activities may continue in line with COVID-safe practices:
- P&C activities, including meetings
- Community use outside school hours
- Canteens and uniform stores where appropriate hygiene measures are in place
- Electoral commission officers conducting polling location inspections permitted they follow COVID-19 requirements for visitors
- All polling days will require additional planning from the electoral commission based on health advice of the time.
Thanks everyone for your cooperation and support. We will keep you posted of any further developments.
