Facilities News 

 

Dr Denise Clarke 

Facilities Manager 

Staff Bus Safety & Maintenance Training

Since 2011 School owned buses have to comply with Bus Safety Act (2009). These rules and changes since then mean that:

• Buses must be inspected and complete an Annual Roadworthy Certificate
• Staff Training on expected bus inspections must be repeated annually
• Drivers must apply for their driving approval annually.

As part of the Curriculum day all teaching staff were provided with training to: 

• Gain an awareness of regulations for using the school bus
• Be aware of the Bus Drug & Alcohol use policy
• Be familiar with expected bus safety  Inspection & Defect documentation
• Be aware of emergency procedures

This was a good refresher for all staff whether they are drivers of the bus or not.

OHS Training

Leila Tehrani (new OHS Manager) has prepared, in addition to the one whole school plan, seven individual evacuation plans for each section of the school. She was able to present these to staff on Monday. Over the coming weeks they will be deployed in the designated areas.

OHS Risk controls for COVID 19:  The attached diagram show the five (5) levels of risk control starting with the most effective which is Elimination and at this stage this is not a possibility. The school has implemented controls at each of the other four levels to minimise the risk to students and staff. These procedures will continue in place when we return from remote learning. 

If a vaccine is developed we may be able to eliminate the risk if everyone in the community participates.  However, many of the practices we have developed for COVID will keep the school healthier in the long run. For example, staff and students not coming to school when they are “only a little bit sick”.  We have learned from COVID that is when you are most likely to infect others.

Technology Devices for students & staff: we have loaned out 44 devices to students and Education support staff.  All student requests have now been filled.

It was pleasing to see that many families had invested in another device at home this time around.

Maintenance: Due to the Stage 4 restrictions only essential maintenance is being performed. We need to have a number of regular tasks undertaken to ensure that the school is safe for the students who do need to attend.  We have had no contractors on site except for urgent works e.g. the blocked sewer.

Cleaning: with reduced student numbers the cleaners will begin to complete cleaning tasks which are not in the normal scope of service.  We will still maintain the enhanced cleaning for infection control but we will not need as many hours per day.

Grants: there has been an opportunity to apply for a Minor Works Grant which the Government has offered as part of the Economic recovery. We have applied for the extension of the current climbing room to provide for our “crash & bash” soft play furnishings. Currently, we are using a classroom which is not very suitable. This was part of the original climbing room plan which was reduced because it was too expensive. Let's hope we are successful this time.