Principals' Message
A message from Alison and Greg,
Dear Parents/Carers,
We write to you to provide additional information about the managed return to school at St Edward's.
In Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2, schools are officially open to the children of front line workers only. However, no student will be turned away from any Catholic School in the Diocese of Armidale. From Week 3 of Term 2, the managed return of students to face-to-face learning will commence.
Therefore, from Monday 11th May, the following information applies:
Learning experiences
Students who attend school will undertake the same online learning experiences as those students who continue their learning from home. Therefore, it remains an individual family decision as to whether students return to school or continue their learning from home.
High-risk students and staff
Students who meet the NSW Health definition of ‘higher risk’ should not attend school for any reason. Students who are displaying any signs of illness must also remain at home. Please be aware that we have some members of staff at our school who meet the NSW Health definition of ‘higher risk’, and these staff members will continue to work from home. Staff will also be required to stay away from school if they are displaying any sign of illness.
Health and hygiene
We remind parents that your child’s mental health and well-being is an important consideration in the decision to have them return to school. Centacare has expanded its services to ensure that support can still be provided during this period. Students are still able to access the free and confidential counselling service by calling Centacare Armidale on 6738 7200.
The Catholic Schools Office is making every effort to source ongoing supplies of hand sanitiser for use in schools and to enable additional cleaning where possible. We have installed additional dispensers at all entry points to both campuses. The school has also increased the cleaning schedule by sanitising classrooms, staff rooms and office areas that are in use during the day. We have increased signage around the school outlining correct hand washing, social distancing and coughing etiquette. Each classroom has their own bottle of hand sanitiser and this is refilled as required.We would ask all parents and carers to continue to practice social distancing for the health and well-being of our staff and students by not entering our school grounds.
Students who become unwell at school
In accordance with our school policy and existing procedures, students who become unwell at school will be moved to the sickbay. Parents will be called to collect students who are unwell.
Social distancing and student behaviours
Parents are encouraged to discuss with students the importance of social distancing requirements and to encourage students to travel directly to and from school and home, and not visit other places such as shops during their travel.
Pick up and drop off times and social distancing for parents
At this stage drop off and pick up times and venues are as normal. To further help protect our staff and parent community from the risk of adult to adult transmission we ask everyone to continue to practise social distancing by staying outside the school fence.
Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP)
The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) continues to operate under the NSW Health social distancing and hygiene Guidelines.
Timetabling of attendance at school
Attendance
If your child continues to learn from home, their attendance will still be recorded.
Out of school hours care
Early Childhood Education and OOSHC Services are still considered an essential service by the Federal and State Governments and therefore will remain operational unless we are informed otherwise.
Term 2 Sport
All Diocesan and Inter Diocesan School Sport scheduled for Term 2 has been cancelled.
Please be assured that the staff at St Edward's School will continue to work together to provide the very best remote learning experiences for our students and to support their pastoral care and well-being during this challenging time. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your family’s individual needs during the managed return to school.
Sincerely,
Alison Hatton and Greg O'Toole