Updated COVID 19 Guidelines for Schools from the NSW Department of Education

(Current from April 2022)

The NSW Department of Education has updated it's COVID advice in line with new guidelines from NSW Health. Please see updated information below for close contacts, those people who test positive to COVID 19 or students / staff who are unwell.

NSW Health has updated the advice for students and staff returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 including the recommendation to wear a mask for an additional 3 days after the 7-day isolation period. It is recommended that students and staff that return to school after recovering from COVID-19 do not participate in rapid antigen testing for 12 weeks following release from self-isolation unless they develop new COVID-19 symptoms. This is due to NSW Health advice that people who have recovered from COVID-19 have a low risk of contracting it again in the following 12 weeks.

Isolation requirements for close contacts have also changed. Staff and students can return to school as long as they have no symptoms and comply with these additional guidelines:

* They must notify the school and their outside of school hours care (OOSHC) provider if they are intending to return without isolating.

* They should conduct a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) and return a negative result each morning before attending school for 5 school days. A further supply of RATs will be made available for these purposes this term.

* It is recommended that primary school students wear a mask indoors (except when eating or exercising), however this is not mandatory.

* No student or staff member identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps.

* Any visitor to a school site who is a close contact is required to advise the school that they are a close contact before they come on site. These visitors should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result before attending. They must also wear a mask indoors at all times.

If a student is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms they should always test for COVID-19.

If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student should still not return to school until either:

The student no longer has any symptoms, or
A medical certificate is provided to the school confirming that symptoms are explained by another diagnosis (such as hay fever)

It is important that students do not attend school if they are unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests can produce false negative results and symptoms of other illnesses can also be similar to COVID-19, including flu, the common cold and stomach bugs. Health advice is that students who are sick should always stay home to rest and recover and avoid putting other students and staff at risk of getting sick.

The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students are paramount at all times. As such, we will continue to ensure that all necessary health advice is closely followed.

School Hats - No Hat, No Play

Please ensure that your child has a school hat for use whenever outside every day at school. We have a number of children requesting spare hats each day and sharing personal items can pose a health risk.

School hats are available for $10 from the school office.

Students who do not have a hat at school are asked to remain in the shaded areas during break times as part of our no hat / no play policy.

Canteen Information

School Staff

Principal – Brad Hunt

Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction - Mrs Sarah Harper

Classroom Teacher Lower Division – Jess Fortescue & Emma Schaeffer

Classroom Teacher Upper Division – Brad Hunt, Leah Miller, Emma Schaeffer

School Administrative Manager – Anne Miller

School General Assistant – Chris Schaeffer

School Times

Lessons commence 9.00 am.

Recess 11.00 am. – 11.30am.

Lunch 1.00 pm. – 1.45 pm.

Lessons finish 3.00 pm.

School bus departs 3.25 pm – 3.30 pm.

Other Information

Canteen Operates on a Wednesday by volunteers.
Scripture is on a Thursday afternoon provided by the Anglican Church of Uralla.
Library is every Tuesday for Lower Division School Sport is held each Friday.
P & C Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 5.30pm.
The school newsletter is produced every 2 weeks. We are currently discussing the possibility of moving to an online platform for this. However, at this time, a copy is sent home to each family on the day it is published. This can be emailed to you if you wish (just email the school and we will add you to the mailing list) and it is uploaded onto our school website and our SkoolBag app.

School Uniform

GIRLS: Summer uniform; Navy Blue shorts/slacks, Rocky River School shirt, navy socks, black joggers/shoes, maroon school hat Winter uniform; as for summer, but navy slacks or track pants. School jacket Sport: Navy Track Pants in winter & Rocky River Polo Shirt.
BOYS: Summer uniform; Grey short/long pants, Rocky River School shirt, grey socks, black joggers/shoes, maroon school hat. Winter uniform; as for summer, but navy track pants may be worn. School jacket Sport: Navy Track Pants in winter & Rocky River Polo Shirt.
School hats and Rocky River shirts and jackets can be purchased at school through the P & C. Kindergarten students receive a complimentary hat when they commence school. The P&C have a clothing pool of second hand clothing available.
Please contact the front office if you are require assistance. You can access the order form for shirts, hats and jackets through our SkoolBag app. School App

Contact Information

Phone: 6778 4122
Fax: 6778 3019
Email: rockyriver-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: www.rockyriver-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Student Transport Information

If you wish to apply for bus travel for your child applications are to be made online by visiting transportnsw.info/school-students or by phoning 131500
If you transport your child to school by private vehicle you can apply for a subsidy by visiting https://transportnsw.info/ticketsopal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/school-student-travel or phoning 131500 if you don’t have internet access. Further information is available at the School office if required.
Our School Bus driver contact for pick up / drop of location enquiries is:

Rocky River Public School Parents & Citizens

P&C Meetings

Latest P&C Report