Welcome back to the beginning of Term 4. We hope families had a relaxing break and have had a successful start to the term in Remote and Flexible Learning.

Remote Learning

As communicated via Compass last week, this term we have made a few changes to our program to ensure a strong focus on attendance, wellbeing, and engagement in the learning program as well as provide a routine and stability to our students across all year levels. If you are still unsure about your child’s weekly timetable, please contact your child’s teacher directly to assist you.

School Roadmap

This term we look forward to welcoming back all our students to face-to-face learning through the staggered return to school roadmap.

Information regarding school operations will be soon be shared with families via Compass, as we prepare for our Preps to return on Monday 18th October for three days a week, followed by our Year 1 and 2 students on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd October. Our Year 3 to 6 students will join us back at school from Tuesday 26th October.

COVIDSafe Principles and Procedures on Return to School

Whilst transitioning students back in a supported and efficient way is really important, so too is ensuring that the health and safety of our school community is the greatest priority at this time.

Ventilation

As part of our COVIDSafe plan, we are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces whenever possible. In order to do this, we will keep windows and doors open as much as possible (weather permitting of course). If using air conditioners, we will ensure these are set to use external air rather than recycled air.

We will also ensure we are maximising the use of outdoor learning areas throughout the day. We are currently in the process of applying for the Shade Sail Grant Program through the VSBA and will keep families informed of the progress of this application.

Social Distancing

To ensure we are doing all we can to remain safe at school, we are putting in a number of steps to limit mixing and maintain physical distancing where possible.

Staggered and segregated break times
As we transition back to school, we will be running alternative timetables to ensure we limit the mixing of students. Our break times will be staggered, and our students will be asked to play in specific areas around the school. Our Prep, Year 1, and Year 2 students will be asked to play on the Southside of the school, while our 3-6 students will be asked to play on the Grassketball Court and Oval
Multiple entries and exit point
Our students will be required to use multiple entry points when returning to school

Prep

Returning 18th October

Year 1

Year 1 Returning 21st October

Year 2

Year 2 Returning 21st October

Essential Workers & Vulnerable students in Years 3-6 only

Garden gate (gate 7)

Flex gate (gate 3)

Water tank gate (gate 2)

Main Office (gate 1)

Face Masks

The Victorian Chief Health Officer directs all school staff to wear a face mask indoors and outdoors. Our staff will be wearing masks wherever practical, except where the removal of a face mask is necessary for effective communication.

Students in Years 3-6 are also mandated by the Victorian Chief Health Officer to wear a face mask while indoors at school and Biz-E-Kidz. We ask that all students in Years 3-6 bring their own face masks from home. If it is a reusable mask, please ensure it is clearly labelled with your child’s name on it. If your child is unable to wear a face mask, we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher or the wellbeing staff at NMPS to support you with this matter.

It is strongly recommended all Prep-Year 2 students wear a face mask when at school, attending Biz-E-Kidz or when travelling to and from school.

Hygiene

All staff, students, and visitors should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the toilet. Our staff will encourage, direct and supervise our students, where required, to maintain regular hand hygiene.

Sharing of food is not permitted at this time. This also extends to birthday celebrations, with items from home unable to be brought in to share with the class.

Staying Home When Unwell

As students return to school for face-to-face learning over the next few weeks, we ask that students stay home if they are unwell or waiting on COVID-19 test results.

If your child is unwell, please remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. Everyone should consider their health before they attend school and ensure that they are free from coronavirus symptoms and have not had contact in the past 14 days with a person confirmed to have coronavirus or a person suspected to have coronavirus.

If your child becomes unwell at school with COVID-19 symptoms, the school will phone you to ask you to collect them. We will advise you to get your child tested and for them to stay home until they receive a negative test result.

Keep Surfaces Clean

All Victorian government schools have regular routine cleaning arrangements in place which involves the daily end-of-the-school day cleaning, with a particular focus on cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.

Managing a Confirmed Case of COVID-19

While we will do everything we can to ensure the above strategies and more are in place to limit our exposure to COVID-19, we also need to be aware that there is still a risk involved. The Department of Education has comprehensive procedures in place with the Department of Health to manage suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools. In an event of a confirmed case at NMPS, we will be guided by both Departments following any given processes and procedures.

From the Art Room

Colour Words

Birds with patterned feathers