NPS - CORONAVIRUS NEWSLETTER # 2
Coronavirus Update as of Wednesday 18th March
I can only report that inside meetings are restricted to no more than 100 participants. As a school setting a classroom is not a gathering of 100, so it does not as this point in time affect us. Basically schools have been excluded from this directive.
We understand that parents are concerned, today we had just under 40% of our student enrolment absent. I realise this a stressful time and we cannot stop parents making these types of decisions, but having inconsistent attendance does make the delivery of programmes by the classroom teacher difficult. Ultimately it may require teachers to re-teach some concepts again at a later date.
Rumours are starting to swirl around NAPLAN being cancelled. Officially there has been no directive I'm aware at this point in time regarding NAPLAN going ahead or not. I will inform the school community as will the media I'm sure if NAPLAN is to take place or is cancelled next term.
What are We Doing at Newlands PS?
LATEST CHANGES
*School Photos - We have cancelled. We will rescheduled later in the year. We will advise families of the date when its confirmed.
* Combining Classes - Based on our current absence trend we will combine classes on a day by day basis. On these days we will release teachers to plan and prepare e-lessons. These lessons will only be implemented if and when DET directs all schools close. We will not be providing these lessons to parents who choose to keep students home who aren't infected by the virus.
* Volunteer cleaners - I would like to thank those parents who volunteered yesterday and today to help with the cleaning of the tables and chairs. It makes such a difference, no matter how small the gesture is. It demonstrates that in some way we, as a community, are pulling together, that's what is important. A sense of community.
*Changes - If there are changes to DET policy or directives after the publication of this newsletter I will publish updates.
REMINDERS
*Latin Fiesta Cancelled - For those who missed last week's newsletter we have cancelled the fiesta as it would in all probability exceeded the definition of a gathering.
*Classroom furniture - Staff are now implementing the surface cleaning of the tables, chairs and door handles. We welcome volunteers who could be available to assist and reduce the extra workload on staff.
*School assembly - We have now cancelled assemblies until further notice. This action is our decision.
What Can You Do?
* Continue to reinforce the message around hygiene with your child/ren.
* Listen to Norman Swan. His commentary is scientific and practical.
* Sentral is working, so inform the school of your child's absence through this app. Remember just inform us that you are withholding your as parent choice.
* Be prepared and make sure you have internet access at home if required in the future.
Department of Education & Training - 18/03/2020
The information below is directly taken from a statement sent to schools this week. The information is current and based on their data. I think the bigger question is not when are we closing, but more importantly if you close schools when do decide to re-open ; 2 weeks, 2 month or more??????
School Closures
STATEMENT ON SCHOOL CLOSURES IN VICTORIA
Dr Brett Sutton MBBS MPHTM FAFPHM FRSPH FACTM MFTM
Victorian Chief Health Officer
Victorian Chief Human Biosecurity Officer
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) met recently to consider the issue of school closures in relation to the community transmission of COVID-19.
The Committee’s advice is that pre-emptive school closures are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.
As Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and as a member of the AHPPC, I fully endorse this advice in relation to schools in Victoria.
There is currently limited information on the contribution of children to transmission of COVID-19. The WHO-China Joint Mission noted the primary role of household transmission and observed that children tended to be infected from adults.
Previous work suggests that the potential reduction in community transmission from pre-emptive school closures may be offset by the care arrangements that are in place for children who are not at school.
There is a particular risk associated with the fact that children may require care from vulnerable grandparents or may continue to associate (and transmit infection) outside of school settings.
Broadly, the health advice on school closures from previous respiratory epidemics shows the health costs are often underestimated and the benefits are overestimated.
This may be even more so in relation to COVID-19 as unlike influenza, the impact on otherwise healthy children has been minimal to date.
For pre-emptive school closures to be effective, prolonged closure is required and it would be unclear when they could be re-opened. If there were still a large pool of susceptible students when schools are re-opened, there would be likely to be re-emergence of transmission in the community.
School closures may still be considered late in the outbreak in anticipation of a peak in infection rates, for a shorter period of time. Short term reactive school closures may also be warranted to allow cleaning and contact tracing to occur.
Should evidence change in relation to school closures then my advice to the sector, in collaboration with AHPPC, would of course change also.