30 Jan 2022
IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR THE RETURN OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOL
This information was sent by email to all families on 28.1.22.
Welcome to a new school year, an exciting time as our students start or return to their school journey in 2022.
We will start 2022 with a layered approach to COVID-smart measures that have been developed in partnership with NSW Health to help to minimise transmissions at school. The health and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our priority, and these measures are designed to help keep our school open and our students learning in the classroom. These key measures include:
- Rapid antigen test (RAT) kits will be provided to all students to help monitor your child’s health and minimise transmission of COVID-19 across our school.
- Wearing of surgical masks indoors is required for all staff and strongly recommended for all students. Masks will be provided by the school if required.
- Only fully vaccinated visitors essential to delivering and supporting learning or wellbeing are permitted on a school site.
- Up to two parents or carers are allowed to accompany their child into school on their first day of Kindergarten. Two parents or carers can also accompany any student who is new to Wahroonga Public School into school on their first day.
- Students will be kept in their stage groups on school grounds, with staggered drop-off and pick-ups to minimise the spread of COVID-19 across cohorts.
- We will continue to use good hygiene, enhanced cleaning, good air flow and ventilation in learning spaces, as well as physical distancing practices.
RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING (RAT)
The Department of Education has distributed an initial two-week supply of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits for all students and staff to schools. The use of RAT kits is an important step to support the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. They are a quick and easy screening tool to help detect COVID-19. It is a simple process of placing a nose or throat swab in a chemical solution, which is put onto a scanning device. Results can be ready within 15 minutes. Use of RAT kits is highly recommended but not mandatory.
HOW TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD'S RAT KIT
RAT kits for each student at Wahroonga Public School will be available for collection at the top of the Burns Road Boardwalk (Gate B) on Monday 31 January from 10am to 3pm.
- RAT kits for your child need to be collected by a family member / friend over the age of 18.
- Each child (K - 6) will receive a pack of four (4) RAT kits.
- Wear a mask, be free of symptoms, physically distance
- Any kits not collected will be available for pickup once school resumes. If you are unable to collect your child’s RAT kit on Monday 31 January use a RAT that you may have at home on the morning of Tuesday 1 February for students in Years 1 - 6 and before Best Start testing for 2022 Kindergarten students.
WHEN TO USE A RAT KIT
Week 1: Years 1 - 6 to use a RAT at home on the mornings of Tuesday 1 February and Thursday 3 February in Week 1. Kindergarten students to use a RAT at home on the morning of their Best Start Assessment and Friday 4 February in Week 1.
Week 2: K - 6 to use a RAT at home on the mornings of Monday 7 February and Wednesday 9 February in Week 2.
IF A STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE
If a student receives a positive RAT result, you need to:
- Record the positive RAT result through the Service NSW website or app
- Notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR result as soon as possible by email to wahroonga-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or via the School Stream app as an Absence Notification
- Follow NSW Health advice to isolate for seven (7) days
Negative results do not need to be reported to Service NSW or to the school.
WHERE TO GO ON TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY FOR YEARS 1 - 6
Students in Years 1 - 6 will return to school in their 2021 class and with their 2021 teacher, where possible, from Tuesday 1 February to Friday 4 February. On Tuesday 1 February all students in Years 1 to 6 are to go to the following area when the morning bell rings:
- 2021 Kindergarten classes – Gather under the shade sail in the Infants Quad
- 2021 Years 1 and 2 classes – Gather under the COLA
- 2021 Years 3 and 4 classes – Gather in the Mulch Area
- 2021 Year 5 classes – Gather on the Sportsfield
Teachers will meet students in these areas, give them relevant information and then take them to the room they will occupy for the remainder of the week. On Day Two and for the rest of the first week, students will go straight to that classroom in the mornings, and they will have that teacher.
From Monday 7 February new 2022 classes will be established. Classes will be kept in stage groups as much as possible.
PLAYGROUND
In the playground students will be kept separated by stage as much as possible:
- Kindergarten / Early Stage 1
- Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
- Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
- Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6)
Students in cross-stage composite classes will be encouraged to play in the same area as the stage they fall under but students will be permitted to play with their grade cohort if that is their preference. Students in the Support Unit may play in the Mini Mulch area or in the same area as their grade peers.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP ARRANGEMENTS click here
UNWELL AT SCHOOL?
Any student who is unwell, and / or displays symptoms of COVID-19, will be asked to go home and stay at home until they can complete a RAT or PCR test.
- If symptoms continue, they should stay at home and take another RAT in 24 hours or have a PCR test.
- If the second RAT or initial PCR test result is negative and they are displaying no symptoms OR they are diagnosed as having another condition such as hayfever, the student or staff member can return to school.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
Under the new close contact rules, schools are no longer included in contact tracing. I will inform the school community when there is a positive case in our school and advise families on public health advice, including monitoring for symptoms.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSHOLD TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
If a member of your household tests COVID-positive, please follow NSW Health advice and keep your child at home for seven (7) days. If students are required to self-isolate their teacher will provide them with school work to do from home during the isolation period. We do not expect any students to engage in school work if they are unwell.
WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL?
If your child has been absent due to testing positive to COVID-19 or having a household member who tested positive, there is no longer any need to supply proof of a negative COVID test in order to return to school. However, your child will be required to isolate for the required period of time (seven days).
We will work closely with the Department of Education and take advice from NSW Health to remain up-to-date with current advice as it unfolds. Thank you for your understanding on these matters
MASKS
All primary staff will be required to wear masks indoors. No vented or cloth masks should be worn. If required, surgical masks will be available at schools. Primary school students are strongly recommended to wear well-fitted masks indoors. Masks are also strongly encouraged in outdoor settings where you cannot physically distance. Your child can remove their mask when eating, exercising or playing a musical instrument.
VISITORS ON SCHOOL SITES AND VACCINATIONS
No parents, carers or visitors are permitted on school grounds until further notice with the following exceptions:
- Up to two parents or carers are allowed to accompany their child into school on their first day of Kindergarten. Two parents or carers can also accompany any student who is new to Wahroonga Public School into school on their first day.
- Volunteers or staff operating uniform shops and canteens must be fully vaccinated.
- Visitors supporting school operations and curriculum delivery must be fully vaccinated.
- Allied health partners for the wellbeing of students must be fully vaccinated.
All staff on school sites are required to be fully vaccinated, including having their booster when eligible. We strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination when eligible.
VENTILATION
We will continue to follow NSW Health ventilation guidelines that natural ventilation is the most effective measure so we will maximise fresh airflow in learning spaces through opening doors and windows. This approach is strongly supported by expert advice. Where natural ventilation is not sufficient, mechanical ventilation and / or air purification will be used, and we will continue to use outdoor settings where possible.
To improve ventilation in indoor settings we will:
- Open windows and doors, where possible
- Use ceiling fans and air-conditioning to assist with creating good air movement
- Direct airflow away from faces
- Use outdoor learning spaces where appropriate
CLEANING
We continue to have enhanced cleaning focusing on high-touch and high-traffic areas.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
We will continue to follow physical distancing guidelines and maintain 1.5 metres distance wherever possible
STAY CONNECTED
The main channels of communication from the school regarding any changes to the above will be:
· School Stream – please ensure that you have the School Stream App downloaded on your phone. Click here for more information on how to use School Stream and signing up to important push notifications.
· The Bush Telegraph newsletter – this is our weekly school newsletter and contains vital information on what’s happening at school. It is published every Friday via email. You can sign up to the newsletter on the front page of our school website.
Thank you for your anticipated patience and understanding as the 2022 school year commences. Our first priority in all decision making is always what is best for our students in keeping them safe and well.
I am extremely thankful for the respectful and collaborative manner in which the parent community has worked with the school over the past two years of the pandemic. I look forward to working together again as we strive to keep our beautiful students, families and hardworking staff safe.
Kind regards,
Alison Filipic
Principal