NPS - CORONAVIRUS NEWSLETTER # 4

Coronavirus Update as of Saturday 21/03/2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Yesterday evening, Friday, 20/03/2020 the Department of Education emailed to all schools their latest actions regarding coronavirus.

ADDITIONAL PUPIL-FREE DAYS

The last day of term 1 for students will now be Thursday 26/03/2020. Finish time on this day will still be 2.30pm as is the practice for the last day of any school term.

Commencement of Term 2 for students will be Wednesday 15/04/2020.

The official last day of term 1, Friday 27/03/2020 and the official first day of term 2 Tuesday 14/04/2020 are now pupil free days. This means all school staff will be required at school on these two pupil free days, unless unable attend due to illness.

BEFORE & AFTERCARE

Newlands Primary OOSHC will not be providing any on-site care for students on these two pupil free days as is our normal practice regarding Pupil Free Days. We ask that you make other care arrangements for these two days. Staff on these two days will be involved in preparing student materials for possible extended virtual lessons in term two.

We understand that for many of you this has come as an unexpected shock, but given the circumstances we find ourselves presently in, this response by DET is not entirely surprising.

NAPLAN CANCELLED

The second change is 2020 NAPLAN has been cancelled.

TERM TWO POSSIBILITIES

As mentioned previously this is very much unknown territory for all of us. As teachers and leaders we are preparing for the possibility that children maybe away from school for more than just two pupil free days.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

* At present be supportive of your child's teacher. Remember they also have families and older loved ones. Some of our teachers have family in those countries where the virus has devastated whole communities-they are naturally preoccupied, which is understandable.

* Let your child's teacher request support. At this point they are still trying to figure out what that support might look like. They are professionals and will do what is possible to provide an alternative mode to deliver learning, to the children in their care.

* Really reduce your need to be in the classroom. This is the perfect time to initiate student independence for storing their own bag etc. Let them go into the classroom with their friends.  

* Only contact the school if it is really necessary. We will continue to inform the community as we have been doing so through this type of Newsletter and SENTRAL.

Thank you for your ongoing support, cooperation and understanding,

Ross Dudgeon

Principal

Saturday 21/03/2020