The Newlands Times

              Covid-19 Update

                                                                       Sunday 02/08/2020 (UPDATED 9:00pm)

 

Dear Families, 

 

We have just received official correspondence from the Department of Education, please read the following.  Please note that the below letter has been edited to ensure information is relevant to Newlands Primary School. 

 

 

Dear parents, carers, students and staff,

 

Earlier today, the Victorian Government announced that, on the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, regional and rural Victoria will move to Stage 3 restrictions and metropolitan Melbourne will move to Stage 4 restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

These requirements apply to all schools across the government, Catholic and independent sectors, and across all metropolitan Melbourne and rural and regional Victoria.

 

The changes to schools’ operations will come into effect from Wednesday 5 August, following a student free day on Tuesday 4 August, and are likely to apply until the end of Term 3.

 

As outlined in the Chief Health Officer’s advice on Friday, schools remain safe places for staff and students – but these steps are critical measures to reduce the movement of students and families across the state. 

 

There are implications for our school, and for families in our school community.

A summary of what the changes mean for METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE schools is below:

 

  • Prep to Year 6 students will continue with remote and flexible learning.
  • The criteria for students that can attend on-site has changed as follows:
    • Children whose parents are permitted workers. The Victorian Government will provide further advice about this over the coming days
    • Vulnerable children in out of home care, children known to child protection and other agencies and children the school identifies as vulnerable
    • Children with a disability who also fit one of the above two categories.

TIMELINE

  • Monday 3 August will be a ‘normal’ day of school under current arrangements, with students attending on-site learning asked to take all their necessary learning materials home.
  • Tuesday 4 August will be a student-free day across Victoria to enable teachers, especially in rural and regional Victoria, to prepare for flexible and remote learning. Newlands will provide learning experiences through SEESAW on Tuesday 4 August. However, No live check-ins nor small group work through Microsoft Teams will take place on this day. 
  • Wednesday 5 August will be the first day of new arrangements for schools across Victoria.

     

STAFFING

  • Schools will ensure sufficient staff are available for necessary on-site supervision.
  • Staff not required for on-site supervision will work from home.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support. We hope this provides some clarity. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the school. 

 

Luke Cripps

Newlands Primary School