PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Earlier this week, students received this information on our return to school. Updates have been bolded and students should take note of these updates.

COVID-19 update

Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 in South Gippsland and there has not been any new cases since 29th April. Prior to this, there have been only 5 cases in South Gippsland. We should remain cautious but should manage our worry by reminding ourselves that where we live is safer than other places in Victoria and certainly safer than many other countries.

How will school look different?

Recess and lunchtimes

We are a small school with large grounds - you should spread out during recess and lunch breaks. We will open up the oval and provide supervision up there.

Buses, and the start and end of the day

Most of our students bus or walk to school, therefore we will not be staggering our start and finish times. On the bus you can sit in your normal seats except you CANNOT sit directly behind the bus driver. Your parents are being asked to remain in their vehicles when they collect your from school at the end of the day.

Classrooms

Hand sanitiser will be available in every room. You should sanitise your hands on entry and exit from class. Your teacher may have a ‘base’ classroom, which means you may be taught in different rooms from last term. We have tried to place larger classes in larger rooms.

Schools are being encouraged to increase airflow in rooms, this means that some classrooms may be cooler than normal. We encourage you to wear and bring your school jumper and jacket to school and to wear a singlet or white t-shirt under your uniform. Students will be allowed to bring and wear non-uniform jackets for the remainder of Term 2.

There will a cleaner in the school during the day.

Lockers

We are in the process of spreading out lockers where we can. The bells have been extended so that you can wait your turn at the lockers.

Teachers

Teachers must practice social distancing from other adults. Consequently, you may find that some of your teachers have moved offices. We ask that students do their best to maintain 1.5 metres between themselves and staff.

Canteen

The canteen will be open but only so many students will be allowed in at a certain time. You may notice that spaces like the canteen and the main offices now have plastic screens like you may have seen in McDonalds or in other shops. This is to help prevent contact with any airborne germs.

Social distancing

We have heard a lot of talk from students that you are not required to practice social distancing – although this may be true in theory and difficult for small children, we will be encouraging you to be socially responsible. The purpose of social distancing is to protect the most vulnerable in our community. We don’t always know whether someone around us has an illness (teachers, friends, family, grandparents etc), and therefore we must act to protect them by maintaining social distancing. A hug between friends at school may impact on Grandma at home if COVID-19 is shared. It is important that you all understand that coming back to school is a positive step forward to life returning to normal, however, the pandemic is not over yet and we must continue to be careful.

The Chief Health Officer has said that students should minimise their contact with students outside of their year level. The point being, the more people you mix with, the more likely you are to come in contact with an infection. Again, I encourage you all to be cautious so that you protect others in our community who are vulnerable.

Other things you might be wondering

If you have borrowed a laptop, you can continue to do so. However, we have now loaned out all our laptops. If a student forgets their laptop, please be aware we do not have any extras to loan out
You SHOULD NOT come to school if you are unwell; staff and students will be required to go home if they are unwell during the school day
We would encourage you to bring your own bottle of hand sanitiser and keep this in your pencil case or in your pocket
You will not be able to use the drinking fountains - you WILL need to bring your own water bottle
The Mobile Phone Policy remains in place. You phone MUST be switched off and secured at the offices from the first bell to the last bell. If you have the COVIDSAFE app, this can be switched off at the same time, and reactivated after school
STEAM classrooms should be accessed in the same way as you did in Term 1, but rooms in the A wing should be accessed from external doors where appropriate. Signs will be in place to direct you.

Principals

Principal - Vaya Dauphin

Assistant Principal - John Wilson

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