Term 4 has started smoothly, no doubt assisted by the beautiful weather we have been enjoying.
Our student cohort numbers are understandably a little higher as parents begin to work away from home again. The increase in traffic density certainly attests to that.
We are looking forward to the earlier return to school for students and staff are planning ways in which children can be settled back to school routines and quality instruction in literacy and numeracy. Teachers are also planning activities to encourage socialisation and resilience. Remember if you express your confidence in your child to adapt and resettle with friends, that's the model they will follow. We have been particularly impressed with the great job parents have done with the Learning from Home programs.
I know there is some hesitancy in our community about the return so I will outline some of our safety measures:
- Good ventilation- windows and doors will be open and teachers are encouraged to take children for a quick exercise break outdoors each hour to let the air refresh. It's funny, but this is a normal practice in Finland regardless of viruses so a good one to emulate.
- In the classrooms children will be spaced out as far as is possible and rigorous hand washing will be maintained.
- Playground spaces will be allocated by grade to minimise cross infection should a positive case occur in the school.
- Children MUST remain at home and be COVID tested for even the mildest of symptoms. It's up to everyone to keep the school site safe.
- All school staff are fully vaccinated before resuming work and must wear masks indoors and out.
- Children are encouraged to wear a mask indoors. Please ensure it is clearly labelled with a name.
- Pick up will be staggered to avoid congestion. Please wear a mask, move away from the site quickly, use Kiss and Go or have children meet you a little away from the school (Alison Park). Please be respectful of others and do not congregate on the footpath after pick up.
At this stage all schools in Greater Sydney will return under Level 3 plus restrictions. This means that no external provider programs can run, no excursions and no entry on to the site for non school staff. We are awaiting advice regarding our Canteen. If they are able to start it will be for orders only. OOSH will continue to operate.
We are thrilled to welcome welcome our students back earlier than previously advised as announced this morning. Kindergarten and Year 1 will return on Monday 18th October with all other grades returning on Monday 25th October. Thank you to all parents through a very long period of Learning from Home. Your assistance in keeping to these dates is appreciated where you are available to supervise students at home. As each grade returns support for at home learning will reduce accordingly.
While I understand some parents may be hesitant to return children, we anticipate that the majority of our students will return and all teachers will be required on site for face to face teaching. In accord with the current DOE advice, packages for learning at home/online activities will be available. Teachers will not be available to conduct Zooms but will respond to online questions and marking as available.
I know that your family, like all of us, will be keen to gain some more normality and structure to our lives. The school will look at a range of ways to build in some special COVID safe activities to finish the year in a joyful manner especially for our Year 6 students.
As your children return, the must remember to BRING and WEAR A HAT!
KINDERGARTEN 2022 ENROLMENTS CLOSING. If you know of a local enrolment or have a sibling, please enrol online or contact the office for advice. Out of area enrolments have now closed. |
Regards
Susan Allen, Principal