08 Oct 2021
Key Advice:
- All students 7-12 will return to face-to-face learning on Monday the 11th of October
- All students 7-12 will return to face-to-face learning on Monday the 11th of October
- Mask wearing is mandatory for all students and covid-19 safe restrictions will be in place in the classroom and playground
- Students with even the mildest symptoms must stay at home and be tested. A negative covid-19 test result must be sighted by the school until the student can return.
- The canteen will not be operating next week.
- Students will be issued a new timetable to commence the term. Students should plan to bring books for English, Maths, Science and HSIE, but teachers will be understanding and accommodating for the first day back.
The current restrictions in The Snowy Monaro LGA will be eased on Monday the 11th of October, meaning our school will move to operating under Level 3 conditions as part of our COVID-safe return to school roadmap.
This means all our students will be expected back for face-to-face learning on site on Monday. Those students who live in an area still under stay-at-home orders are also expected back at school for face-to-face learning and this is allowed under the public health order. The best learning environment for students is in the classroom and we are looking forward to welcoming back all of our staff and students.
Here’s what our families and student can expect when returning to school sites under COVID-safe Level 3 conditions:
- Staff will be required to wear masks indoors and outdoors while on school grounds.
- Students Year 7 and above will also be required to wear masks indoors and outdoors on school grounds
- We will reduce overall mingling of our different student years which means no school assemblies or sport (outside of existing PDHPE classes), excursions or field trips.
- We will reduce cohort mingling by having restricted playground areas for stage 4 (Years 7 and 8), stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) and stage 6 (Years 11 and 12). These areas will be explained to students when they return onsite.
- Only essential visitors will be allowed on site and will be required to check-in and wear masks at all times.
- Canteens are open with appropriate hygiene measures in place. The canteen will remain closed in week 2 as we work through a covid-19 safe way to operate.
- Parents and carers will need to remain outside of school grounds and follow physical distancing and avoid gathering for drop-offs and pick-ups.
- There will be enhanced daily cleaning of the school and wherever possible we will ensure classrooms will be well-ventilated with open windows.
We have worked closely with NSW Health in developing our return to school roadmap and COVID-safe school plan. NSW Health will continue to monitor vaccination rates and transmission levels in our LGA and will advise us if settings need re-evaluation.
We are continuing to work closely with NSW Health and other relevant authorities to support our school staff to receive 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccination by 8 November. This will help protect our staff and students.
All students are expected - and will be supported - to return to school for face-to-face learning. While I know this may be an uncertain time for some students and parents I do encourage you to get in touch with us directly and visit the Wellbeing for students and families page for support materials.
Please have a look at the helpful tips for secondary students to support them in preparing for their return to school.
Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing our students and staff back in the classrooms.
Jai Lester
Relieving Principal