Dear Parents,

We wish our 27 children competing at the District Swimming Trials tomorrow, Friday 25th February, the very best of luck. We know they will do their very best and be wonderful representatives of our school.

Our District Swimming representatives are:

Addison Jones, Lilian Klootwijk, Harvey Glasgow, Charlotte Falconer, Beau Francis, Adelaide Fulthorpe, Alexis Hickey, Cooper Jones, Max Naylor, Elena Noonan, Will Simeonidis, Hannah Skein, Amira Buttsworth, Lara Glasgow, Darcy Hair, Tom Hamer, Chyna Robrahn, Archie Bartholomew, Max Clements, Riley Cooper, Ryan Copeland, Demi Forrest, Sophie Francis, Charlie Higgins, Ella Pringle, Grace Ronan, Ruby Turnbull.

A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning. The Premier and Minister for Education have announced changes to school settings for the remainder of Term 1. These updated settings were developed in close consultation with NSW Health and key stakeholders to ensure we continue to keep our schools open for learning, while keeping up with changing community settings.

As of Monday 28th February, some COVID-19 restrictions will start to change for schools. On 7th March, further restrictions will ease for Primary schools. A letter will be sent home next week outlining these changes and the proposed timeline. We are planning a very steady and staged approach to lifting some of our arrangements so that the well-being of every child and staff member is monitored.

Some general information:

• From Monday 28th February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Rapid Antigen Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Our school will provide each student and staff member with more tests tomorrow. Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests as these are now freely available and accessible in the community.

• FOR PRIMARY – Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers in primary schools until Friday 4 March. This means that from Monday 7th March, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

* FOR WORKERS SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY – In line with community settings, workers who support our students with our support units will be required to wear masks while working with students.

*As of Monday 28th February, staff will no longer be required to QR code into the school. All visitors, parents and contractors that need to come in to the school will still be required to QR code in.

*Staff Meetings and Professional Learning can return to Face to Face.

*Ventilation by way of windows and doors being open and enhanced cleaning across the school will continue.

As well as the above changes, at Bathurst Public School from Monday 28th February:

*Stage 2 and 3 children will commence using the same play ground areas at Break 1 and Break 2.

*We will maintain 4 gates in George Street and the gate in Lambert Street being open for children to exit each afternoon and ask that children continue to exit the gate that is their year/stage allocated gate. This is to assist with social distancing of parents and friends who gather on the footpath.

*Our school will consider activities such as assemblies and other gatherings in the coming days. We will let you know if these can proceed with our school in a COVID-smart way in the coming week.

Our school photos will be taken next Tuesday 1st March by Advanced Life Photography. Please ensure you pre-order and pay before Tuesday. We will not be having the traditional class photo shots in 2022 due to the impact COVID has had on student attendance. Children will have portrait photos taken and assembled as a class group in each package. This will ensure all children can have their photos taken and included whether it be on photo day or our allocated make up photo day. If you have any queries regarding school photos, please contact the office at school.

As restrictions are easing, Parent Teacher Interviews can now be Face to Face or via phone. We would appreciate if parents could now elect if they would prefer a face to face meeting or phone meeting. If you have already returned your note, please inform the office of your preference by contacting them before Interview day.

A reminder to parents that we have several children and staff at our school with severe nut allergies. For the health and safety of all children and staff, we ask parents not to pack nuts or foods that contain nuts in them, into lunch boxes please.

If any parent has any concerns regarding any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kate White

Principal

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