Leadership Report
Most Recent Covid Update -3.00pm Tuesday 7/07/2020
We have all been alarmed and of course concerned by the latest developments regarding the spread of Covid-19 within the metropolitan area not far from Newlands Primary. I'm sure like me you will have friends and or family within these postcodes, and our thoughts are very much with them.
Recently during the school term holidays we had some very dedicated parents volunteer their time to spruce up the students toilets, which is fantastic commitment to Newlands.
I must inform the community of the following information. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed that a contractor who attended Newlands Primary School has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). This contractor attended during the first week of the school holidays, and at no ther time prior to the first week of the holidays.
Following advice from DHHS, Newlands Primary School will close from Tuesday 7 July for three days initially.
The school will be closed to all students, staff and members of the community. This closure will allow time for the school and DHHS to undertake a full risk assessment. The closure will also allow appropriate cleaning of the school site to occur on the recommendation of DHHS.
DHHS has advised that all our students and staff are requested to remain at home while contact tracing occurs. If you are identified as being a close contact, DHHS will be in contact to discuss the appropriate next steps, including testing.
I am very aware that this is a time of heightened anxiety for us all. The people best placed to answer your questions are the Department of Education and Training staff who are supporting us.
You can contact them on the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 338 663. If you call them, please be clear that you are calling in relation to Newlands Primary School, and they will provide as much information as they are able.
We wish the contractor a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your support, and I will provide any further information as soon as I receive any updates.
Ross Dudgeon
Principal
Reminders
School Start & Finish Times - No change at this time
Beginning in Term 3, our school start and finish times will return to normal. Students are to be at school at 8:50 for a 9:00 start. The school finish time for all students will be at 3:30. While starting and finishing times will return back to normal, we ask families to continue to follow our social distancing regulations including:
Students in the F-1 area will enter and leave the school via the gate next to the bike racks as they have done so during Term 2. All students and teachers will continue meet on the basketball court each morning and be picked up from there in the afternoon.
The 2-3 students will continue to enter/leave the school through the front gate. Students can still be collected by 2-3 families in the breezeway if needed.
Grades 4-6 students are to continue to enter and leave the school independently. Parents are asked not to enter the school at this time.
Parent/Teacher Interviews - No change at this time
Parent teacher interview day is a normal school day and students are required to attend. If you have any questions or seek clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
Pupil Free Days - Term 3- No change at this time
Reminder: We will have two pupil free days happening in term three. The first day will be the very first day of term three, Monday 13/07/2020. The second day will be Wednesday, 16/09/2020, which will be in the last week of term three.
School Photos - No change at this time
School photos will be taken on Friday 17th of July.
Please keep an eye on the notifications through Sentral prior to this date in case there are some adjustments. We have the forms which were returned last term for the previously advertised photo day.
Further Covid Updates
I will provide further updates to the community as I receive them from Department of Education - DET. I will only provide the community with information that is official, and has been directed to me as principal to forward onto the community.
Please stay safe