St Andrew's PS Newsletter

Dear Parents, Guardians & Caregivers,

What a week! 

As we end this week we currently have the students from 4 classes in quarantine. As well as causing difficulties for our families this situation is putting a great strain on the human resources of the school as not only are students quarantining at home but so are teachers and other members of staff. This scenario is being repeated in many schools and therefore finding replacement staff is also proving to be a difficulty. 

We have continually asked your support throughout this pandemic but it has never been more needed than right now as staff are being asked to cover many additional duties, classes and responsibilities.

There is some confusion about contact tracing arrangements so I would like to help clear up the process as it currently relates to schools.

High Risk Primary close contacts

An unvaccinated person who has classroom or staffroom contact with a case are required to quarantine for 14 days and cannot return to school until they provide evidence of a negative day 13 test. Family members do not have to limit their movements therefore siblings can still attend school.

Moderate Risk Primary close contacts

A vaccinated person who has greater than 2 hours classroom or staffroom contact are required to quarantine for 7 days and cannot return to school until they provide evidence of a negative day 6 test. Family members do not have to limit their movements therefore siblings can still attend school. 

Low Risk Primary close contacts

A vaccinated person who has less than 2 hours classroom or staffroom contact, not in the immediate vicinity, wearing a mask or large venue contact. No requirement to quarantine.

Normal School Attendance 

Outdoor contact or high chance of no contact.

As the majority of our students are unvaccinated, classroom contact  with a case will make them High Risk PCCs.

These are not St Andrew's Primary School requirements but the requirements of the Chief Health Officer. Should these requirements change they will be communicated.

I ask parents to keep in mind the impact these current regulations have on families and be cautious about sending your child to school if there is any doubt about their health.

We are constantly reviewing our COVID Safe plan to ensure our school is as safe as we can make it. The following are measures being put in place:

• School Bubbles:

Where possible classes are not mixing. We have ceased many usual activities where children mix such as assemblies, Investigations (F-2), Intervention groups, etc. 

F-2 students play on the junior playground, use the internal toilets, and staff use the wet area as their tea room.

3/4 students play on the senior play equipment & gaga pit, use the external toilets and the staff use the staffroom.

5/6 students play on the asphalt, use the sports centre toilets and the staff use the Sports Centre kitchen as their tearoom.

• Hand sanitiser is located in every classroom and at entrances to buildings. Children sanitise whenever they enter.
• Masks are available in classrooms for children to use
• Cleaning & disinfecting takes place daily and extra cleaning is occuring in high use (toilets) and high touch areas (staff room/office foyer/etc).

With the return to school teachers are now focussed on face to face teaching. The following arrangements will apply in the event your child is impacted by having to quarantine.

Whole Class is in quarantine

On the first day the children will be provided with a learning pack. A learning pack for F-2 will usually be hard copies, 3-6 will be a digital matrix shared on REMIND by their teacher. Chromebooks will be distributed for remote learning until their return to school

Individual students isolating due to being Primary close contacts or household close contacts

Teachers will share a digital matrix on REMIND. The activities will be predominantly screen free. Children can use their own device to access the Student Lounge activities.  Teachers will be unable to provide remote learning as they are also teaching Face to Face. Teachers will make regular phone contact with students & families.

Parents choosing for children to stay home

In this instance teachers are not expected to be also supplying regular work. Students can use their own devices to access the student lounge. 

Congratulations to the Grade 3 students who celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday. It was a sombre, reverent ceremony held in the church with the support of our parish priests, Fr Albert, Fr Anton & Fr Jossy.

I thank Mr Mugavin, Mrs Fitzgerald and Ms Robertson for preparing the children to receive the sacrament.

Planning is underway for the Grade 6 Graduation.

Please save the date: Friday 10 December

More information will be circulated once arrangements have been finalised

Rescheduled Meeting - Monday 15 November @ 7.00 in the Staff room enter via Gate 1. All attending will be required to scan in via the Services Victoria QR code and provide evidence of vaccination.

SUBWAY LUNCH

Our next Subway Lunch day will be Tuesday November 30.