Assistant Principal's Report

Hello everyone, 

We are looking forward to having DPS students back onsite! 

As you all know, the Department of Health and the Department of Education has mandated that primary students from years 3-6 wear a face mask indoors and face masks are also strongly recommended for Prep to Grade 2 students. 

We know that children will have mixed and varying reactions to face masks. So to support you with this transition, the children of essential workers and I spent some time decorating and talking about masks and their importance in keeping us all safe.

We took this DPS photo to show that we are all in this together! And it's a thumbs up for masks at DPS! So when you are back at school wearing a mask is cool!

Talking to your child can really help them feel more comfortable. Here are some tips from Face masks & COVID-19: supporting children | Raising Children Network to help you.

1. Make time to talk about face masks

The best time to talk about face masks is when you can give your child your full attention. This could be at dinner, bath time, or bedtime. If you can, have a mask ready to show your child.

2. Use a calm, reassuring and positive tone

If you're calm and reassuring when you talk with your child about face masks, your child is more likely to feel safe and secure.

3. Find out what your child knows

• Start by asking your child what they know about face masks and whether they have any question

4. Explain face masks in a way your child understands

This is about sticking to the facts and focusing on the positives. For example:

• 'When we talk, breathe, cough and sneeze, tiny drops of snot and saliva can come out of our nose and mouth. Face masks can stop the drops getting on other people. It's best to keep those drops to ourselves!'
• 'Healthy people wear face masks. Lots of people, like doctors, nurses and teachers, wear face masks to do their jobs. Wearing masks is one way we can help to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.'