Implementation of Phase 1 Return to School

Dear Parents and Carers,

As you already know from previous communication, there is a planned phased return of students from next Monday, 11 May. This is in line with Phase 1 Return to School model being implemented by the NSW Department of Education.

• Year 12 students are attending school each day.
• Year 11 students are attending school on Thursday and Fridays
• Years 7 to 10 students return 1 day per week based on house groups
  • Monday 11th May - Bradman (blue)
  • Tuesday, 12th May - Fraser (green)
  • Wednesday, 13th May - Freeman (red)
  • Thursday, 14th May - Rose (yellow)

Infographic with details is attached.

Expectations to promote health and safety of all students and staff

Safety is a priority during the COVID 19 pandemic. Students will be expected to behave in a responsible way, which recognises the importance of protecting the health of themselves, their peers, and staff, who are at higher risk of COVID 19. A few teachers will be working from home due to higher levels of vulnerability to COVID 19.

Students will be expected to:

• Stay home when unwell. Parents must not send students to school if they are feeling unwell. If a student is unwell during the school day, they will not be able to remain in the clinic. Parents will be expected to collect unwell students from school.
• Only attend on the advised house days if in years 7 - 10.
• Assist in keeping classroom desks and school equipment clean as directed by the teacher
• Engage in regular handwashing, especially before eating during breaks
• Not share drinks or food - bring a water bottle as bubblers will be out of action and only bottle refill stations operating
• Remain 1.5 m apart from other students wherever possible - this can be maintained in the classroom for students in Years 7 - 10 with approximately 10 students per class in attendance each day. All efforts to maximise distancing will occur for Year 11 and 12.
• Maintain social distancing in corridors and when queuing - floor markings outside classrooms and in canteen lines have been created to assist.
• Bring all their own equipment including pens, calculators, laptop, glue and anything else needed as there will be NO sharing amongst students.
• Bring their laptop (personal or on loan from the school) to school each day. There will be a very limited number of laptops for student use issued at school.
• Cough or sneeze into their elbows if necessary to avoid spreading infection. Avoid touching face.
• Use soap, sanitisers and other health items in a responsible manner. It is ideal for students to bring their own hand sanitiser.

Students who do not adhere to these health and safety requirements will be reminded of our expectations and the school discipline procedures will be implemented.

If we all adhere to these guidelines we can be confident in this phased return to school. Additional measures are being implemented at school in many areas, including hand sanitisers in each classroom and additional cleaning being undertaken, with special attention to cleaning of desks, doorknobs, bathrooms and other surfaces.

Transport

School buses will be running at normal times before and after school.

Uniform

Students are expected to wear their full school uniform on the days they attend.

Canteen

The canteen will be operational with significant changes. Canteen will open for lunchtime. For the 2 smaller recess breaks in the morning fruit will be available for students to help themselves to at no charge.

• Limited food available - pies, sausage rolls, wraps, cheese bread, drinks etc.
• CASHLESS transactions are preferred at this time

Your Q and A

* Do I have to send my child back to school or do I have the option to continue remote Home Learning?

The government and Department of Education are encouraging students to return according to each school's Phase 1 Plan. We believe it is in the interests of students' learning and wellbeing. However, it is not compulsory. Please notify the school clearly stating your child's name and year group if you intend them not to return.

* Can I change my child's day of attending school?

Generally, NO, to enable us to manage a complex and challenging variation of routine. We have only approved a couple of requests based on very particular circumstances such as accessing learning support.

* Can you clarify how students learning will proceed?

In Phase 1 all classes are still set up on online learning platforms or hardcopies that have been collected. Whether at school or at home, students in Years 7 to 10 will be engaging in the online work in class time. On their designated day, students can seek clarification and assistance in class time directly from the teacher. For year 12 students there will be more direct and explicit teaching in the lesson, but work will still available online for students unable to attend.

* I have been sending my child to school full time as an essential worker. Can I continue to do this?Yes - this has always been an option.

* What about camps, excursions, assemblies and band rehearsals?

At this stage everything additional to classroom teaching and learning is on hold.

One last comment:

We are greatly looking forward to seeing our students attend school - we have missed you.

Yours sincerely,

Carolyn Lasker

Principal