COVID-19

The plan from Monday 25 May

Returning to the classroom full time.

From May 25

Students will attend school full-time five days a week

Keeping schools safe together

Schools have cleaning and essential hygiene supplies

Excursions and inter-school activities are on hold for now

Non-essential visitors should not be on site

Schools are safe and open for learning full time face-to-face learning

All schools are returning to full on-campus learning from Monday 25 May. All school activities and operations will be in line with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and NSW Health guidelines as applicable. 

School students do not need to follow physical distancing guidelines, but should follow good hygiene practices like:

• Regularly washing hands
• Avoiding sharing drinks or food
• Coughing or sneezing into your elbow, or a tissue which should be discarded immediately.

All students should be at school unless:

• They have a medical certificate which states that they are unable to return to school due to n ongoing medical condition
• They are currently unwell.

Students who have a medical certificate to stay home will be supported to learn from home in line with regular procedures if they are able to. These regular procedures are different to what was offered during the learning from home period. If you require work to be provided to your child whilst they are at home due to an underlying health condition, you should contact the school for assistance.

Please note, students who live with a family member in one of the categories identified as being at increased risk by the AHPPC, should attend school unless a medical practitioner advises otherwise in writing. 

If your child is unwell, do not send them to school. If they are unwell at school you or your nominated emergency contact will need to collect them immediately. Please make sure your contact details are up to date. 

If a student is absent without a medical reason for more than three days, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and followed up by the school. 

If you need any support to get your child back to school, please contact your school.

Your child has been assessed during the learning from home period if they have completed work via Google Classroom or returned home learning packs and will receive additional assessment on their return to school.

You will receive your child's semester 1 report before the end of August (week 6, Term 3). 

This will be a simplified version of the report you normally receive. 

Teachers will continue to follow the same school curriculum with the exception of some activities that can't go ahead for now.

What children can do:

• Use the school library
• Engage in non-contact sporting activities

What students can't do:

• School assemblies (unless for critical information)
• School incursions and excursions including camps
• Inter-school activities (debating, inter-school sport)
• In-school activities requiring parent or other volunteers
• Drink from a water bubbler - bring a water bottle instead

BWPS will receive additional cleaning in line with the AHPPC guidelines and advice from NSW Health. Targeted areas include high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, lockers, light switches and handrails in stairways and movement areas. There will also be additional cleaning of toilets and bubblers and topping up of supplies like soap. 

The school has received supplies of soap, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and personal protective equipment. The school is able to order more as needed.

There should be no visitors to school sites unless they are essential. We ask parents to drop off and pick-up students from outside the school gates where possible.

Wherever possible, P&C and parent/carer/teacher meetings should be conducted virtually.

Out of school hours care can continue to operate. Community use of school facilities will recommence only for uses that are necessary for continuation of education and with principal's approval. 

https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/returning-normal-after-covid-19​

FAQs

Why is it now safe for students to return to school?

School are receiving extra hygiene supplies and daily extra cleaning services for high use surfaces such as door handles, bathrooms, handrails and light switches.

Why is the phased return being replaced?

Since commencing the managed return to the classroom on May 11, there has been a strong degree of confidence from school communities in managing COVID-19 and a clear desire for all students to be back at school. 

Schools and students are expected to adhere to the health advice and guidelines which combined with increased cleaning in schools, access to hygiene supplies and compliance with hygiene practices across each campus health advice confirms face-to-face teaching is safe.

Is it safe for students with significant medical needs to be at school?

NSW Health advises that parents of students who may be at increased risk if they contract COVID-19 because they have a specific medical condition may wish to seek advice from their health care team about any specific risks, discuss these with school and review current health care plans.