The Newlands Times

Leadership 

UPDATE - Wednesday 28/07/2021 

Dear Families & Carers, 

At last we have returned to school. So many happy faces this morning........old and young, all looking forward to be with friends as well as enjoying some self time I'm sure.

This newsletter has been updated to provide additional information, especially in the calendar of events and activities. Please add the relevant events to your family calendar. As we are still under Covid restrictions a number of activities are in the calendar with either TBC or Cancelled beside them. The restrictions are set each fortnight by DHHS & DET  and control our abilty to enjoy the activities listed. Given past history, we feel it is more prudent to plan the activities, and then wait to see if they can go ahead.

 

Please read the information provided, and we ask the school community to please comply with the restrictions and guidelines. 

  • Consistent with advice to the broader community, school staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older, a face mask must be worn at school, unless an exception applies.
  • In all outdoor spaces a 1.5m physical distancing must be maintained. This includes parents on the school site.
  • Visitors and parents must make prior arrangements with the school to enter the buildings.
  • QR code registration must be completed for permitted visits.
  • Large school gatherings (ceremonies, assemblies, school formals etc.) are not permitted at this time.

Stay home when unwell 

  • The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, is to ensure that any unwell student remains at home and gets tested, even with the mildest of symptoms.

Young children with persistent mild symptoms

  • Younger children (pre-school up to Grade 2) may have prolonged post-viral symptoms such as a runny nose or a cough and may return to school following a negative COVID-19 test even if they are not completely free of symptoms. They will need a medical certificate from their GP to confirm they are otherwise well or have recovered from their acute illness.
  • Any worsening of symptoms will require review and repeat COVID-19 testing, if considered appropriate by the doctor.
  • Students with a negative COVID-19 test whose symptoms have completely resolved do not need a medical certificate to return to the school.

Management of an unwell student

  • It is important that parents understand that if the school identifies any student as unwell with COVID-19 like symptoms while at school, parents will be contacted and will be required to collect their child from school immediately. 

The symptoms to watch out for are: 

  • fever
  • chills or sweats
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • runny nose
  • loss or change in sense of smell or taste

Drop Off & Pick -Up as of 28/07/2021

Parents are advised that at drop-off and pick up times, parents can accompany their child/ren to the designated area. Please ensure that you wear a mask and only stay for minimal time.

Parents are not to enter classrooms. These arrangements will continue until further notice. 

  • F/1's drop off and pick up at the basketball court. Children will be accompanied by their teacher.
  • 2/3's to be drop off and pick up is the quadrangle area.
  • 4-6's to gather on the asphalt area outside of the blue sports shed for drop off and pick up.

Excursions/School Based Activities

Thursday 29/07/2021

  • Newlands Athletics - We can advise parents that the 'Newlands' athletics carnival WILL go ahead as schedule. However we may still need to cancel at the last minute if the weather becomes an issue. 

Friday 30/07/2021

  • 100 Days of School - Foundation celebration will go ahead as planned and advertised on SENTRAL. This will be an on-line activity.

Assembly for this week has been cancelled until further notice

We hope to re-introduce weekly assemblies as of next week, but they will be on-line.

Reminders

  • Please keep phone calls to school to a minimum. We advise parents to check Sentral for any updates. We will post any relevant updates on Sentral and in the newsletter.
  • The newsletter in its usual form will resume next week.

Please stay safe and look after each other.

 

Ross Dudgeon

Principal