From the Principal

Dear families, carers, and school community,

I hope everyone is well and are looking forward to the resumption of onsite learning at Yarrabah School.

The school has been working away to prepare the safest environment for your child. Staff are aware of all guidelines to make onsite learning safe for students and adults alike.

Our school leaders have been considering the most important messages for school thinking over this next phase. These align closely with our school purpose and REAL framework. They are outlined below:

regulate before we educate

• we know that before students can learn they need to be ready to learn
• we will maintain our 'Alert' approach
• we will draw on School-Wide Positive Behaviour principles
• we will co-regulate

relationships result in learning

• we will make time now to build/re-establish strong, nurturing relationships with your students and families
• we will have FUN together at school- play, listen and support
• we understand that the next four weeks are not the time to be reaching for academic goals.

all behaviour is communication

• we will be using visual timetables, Now and Next schedules for routine and structure,
• we will be using core boards and devices to provide our students with a voice and support understanding
• we will be making time to check in using visuals, in the morning and over the day

It's going to be OK

• we know your children
• we will refer to your child's support plans and profiles
• we will use the outstanding support teams available onsite 

Hand hygiene and frequent cleaning is STILL our best form of defence in the fight against COVID-19

Temperature testing:

Recent advice for schools has been received. I have detailed this below and updated our guide. Yarrabah are fortunate enough to have a trained and qualified nurse onsite every day. Your school values the health and wellbeing of students. Nurse Jess will undertake professional judgement in terms of student health and follow recommended advice.

If your child is unwell

If your child is not well, then they should not be at school. This applies in all circumstances, regardless of your work or caring commitments. The school has a student population close to 250 students. Yarrabah employ up to 130 staff, so illness onsite will be treated seriously.

I have had many messages asking that we communicate this very important message across the school. It is the opinion of most families, the school and department, that children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. Sending children to school with colds or related respiratory illness is a risk to other children and those that work closely with them.

Adult Distancing:

Adult distancing onsite is a crucial element in staff and students remaining safe. We have staggered times for student arrival and altered locations of students coming and going from the school. It is essential that adults do not congregate onsite. We ask that you quickly drop off your child and then leave the site. If dropping off at classrooms, we request that you maintain good social distancing from one another. Classroom door congregations cannot occur. Please space yourself from others, and use the playground areas or courtyards to do so. 

There will not be an opportunity to chat with staff during the pickup and drop off times. Instead make use of the communication app seesaw, phone your teacher or call the school.

Student to Student Distancing:

Our advice and that of the Department is that we should not be as concerned about the distancing of students, but instead the distancing of adults. As an added precaution we are ensuring that play times are staggered, that homeroom learning becomes the norm and that students, where possible, will have individual desks. 

Individually spaced desks are not always possible in the spaces we have at school. In some cases, students will be encouraged to learn in shared spaces within the new buildings, or undertake repeated social distancing and hygiene related education.

Concerns and general wellbeing:

If you are feeling anxious or concerned about your child return to school, then please call the school. We are here to help you air those concerns and can support you in lots of different ways. So don’t hesitate to call the school at any time.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Kind Regards,

Matthew Harris

Principal

Yarrabah School