Dear Parents and families
Welcome to all our families, new and returning for 2022. We faced more challenges than we expected over our summer holidays, however we have made an amazing start to the year. It is very exciting to see our new preschool and kindergarten students begin their learning journey here at PPS. It is equally exciting to see our current Year 6 students take their place as the leaders of our school, preparing them for their transition to high school in 2023. Our teachers and students have made a flying start to their learning, building positive relationships and focusing on our school values of respect, safety and learning.
A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning.
The Premier and Minister for Education have announced changes to school settings for the remainder of Term 1. These updated settings were developed in close consultation with NSW Health and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to keep our schools open for learning, while keeping up with changing community settings.
School arrangements
As of Monday 28 February:
In the morning, drop off at all our gates will be from 8:30am and classes will commence at 9am. I encourage parents to keep the ‘Kiss and Drop” in place. Our students have shown an inspiring level of independence as they head into school through the gates every morning.
Parents are welcome onsite in the morning and afternoons for drop off and pick up. No School check in is needed as you will only be onsite for a short time.
Parents who attend the office, will need to use the School Check-in QR code. To avoid crowding in the office area, the limit will be 3 adults at one time.
To speak to the class teacher, phone the office for an appointment.
Afternoon pick up will return to a 3pm dismissal for all K-6 students.
Students will no longer be required to be kept in our stage cohorts. Recess and lunch breaks will return to regular times. Community Language and Library will commence.
The Canteen will return to breakfast from 8:30-8:55am and counter sales at recess and lunch. Lunch orders can be made by dropping a lunch bag in the classroom lunch basket or online www.myschoolconnect.com.au
Preschool gates will be open 9:00 to 9:30 for morning drop off and from 2:30 in the afternoon. All children must be collected by 3:00pm.
We will continue to use the core layered COVID-smart measures for minimising risk when planning activities and events.
RAT Testing
From Monday 28 February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Tests are being sent home with students throughout this week.
Your child would have already received nasal swab or saliva rapid antigen testing kits from the school. Instructions are included in the kits detailing how to use the tests, check the results and dispose of the tests safely. You can also download the instructions through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website. The user guides will also contain a contact number for the suppliers if you need additional support.
Students using saliva testing kits must not eat or drink for 30 minutes before taking the saliva RAT, to give more accurate results.
Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests as these are now readily available and accessible in the community. Mask wearing
Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers in primary schools until Friday 4 March. This means that from Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.
In line with community settings, workers who support our students with disability in SSPs, support units and some mainstream classrooms will be required to wear masks while working with students.
Our school will continue to ensure our layered COVID-smart measures are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.
We strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination including boosters when eligible. Find a vaccination clinic to book an appointment near you.
We are excited to welcome our community back on-site next week. We are looking forward to our first Monday Morning Assembly on Monday 7 March at 9am with all our families most welcome.
Thank you again for your continued support during this school term.
Mrs Donna McGeary
Principal