In light of the Department of Education’s new updated guidelines released on Monday, 17th August 2020, additional safety measures have been put in place in order to minimise the risk of spread of the Covid-19 virus. Our school has made various changes to its operations in order to reflect these guidelines.
Playground
“Where possible, students will stay within their relevant cohort group (i.e. class, year group, or stage) for all learning activities within their school in order to limit close contacts to the relevant student cohort.” This includes the playground during lunch and recess. Students have been allocated designated play areas where they will play in stage groups. The multi-purpose court, grass area and playground equipment will be accessible to all students during the week on a rotational basis, where they will play in year/stage groups.
Choir
“All group singing (choirs) and/or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings, are not permitted.”
Therefore, our choir groups will no longer be operating this term.
Scripture and Ethics Classes
Classes will operate in stage or year groups.
Sports in School Australia
Lessons were put on hold for 2 weeks to allow the providers time to comply with the Department’s new measures. All activities will be conducted in year groups and all equipment will be cleaned by their staff prior to any activities commencing. Equipment will also be cleaned in between each year group and before a new group commences. Our school has now received the Sports in Schools Australia Safety Plan, reflecting the Department’s guidelines and classes will recommence on Wednesday 2nd September.
Tennis
Lessons will be conducted in year/stage groups and all rackets/equipment will be cleaned between each group.
Chess
As chess involves students from Kindergarten to Year 6, classes have been cancelled until further notice.
Community Users
Community Users are now permitted to use the school facilities. Before each group recommences, they must have a Covid Safety Plan in place. I have met with every Community User to explain the Department’s safety requirements. For the groups that have recommenced, they have agreed to adhere to the Department’s guidelines and we have copies of their Covid Safety Plan.
Parents/Carers & Visitors on School Grounds
Parents, carers and all non-essential visitors are not permitted on the school grounds, with the exception of picking up sick children, signing-in children arriving late to school or early pick-ups. Any parent, carer or visitor coming on to the school premises, even for 1 or 2 minutes to drop off a jumper, hat, form or lunch will be required to fill-in a Visitor’s Form, as per the Department’s requirements.
Interschool Activities
Activities involving the competition between schools, such as debating, will be conducted via zoom.
What to do when your child in unwell
All teachers and staff continue to exercise vigilance to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
In accordance with advice from NSW Health, parents and carers are reminded NOT to send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. Schools will make arrangements for students who present as unwell or have flu like symptoms to be sent home.
As advised by NSW Health, the school will strongly encourage parents to arrange to have their child tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the Covid-19 clinics, for even mild flu-like symptoms.
Students and staff with flu like symptoms who do get tested for Covid-19 will need to provide a copy of a negative Covid-19 test result before being permitted to return to school.
If your child is unwell and you are not sure what to do, please call the school for advice, before you send them to school. We are more than happy to help where possible.
As always, please do not hesitate in contacting the school if you have any concerns or queries. We are only a phone call away. Or if you prefer, please send an email to the school’s email address –
concord-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au