COVID-19 update

COVID updates/re-sharing latest information:

• Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) - We urge you to obtain the free RATs that you will receive at the PCR testing. You need to ask for the free RAT tests, and confirm the school notification regarding being close contacts. All education contacts are entitled to 5 free tests after completing the PCR. If your child has recently had a PCR test, please administer a RAT with your child before each school day as a precautionary measure. If the RAT test is inconclusive or you get a positive result, please go get confirmation via a PCR test.
• Face masks - Staff are required to wear their face masks in all indoor spaces, except for when eating and when their ability to communicate with children is compromised. Children in 3-6 must be wearing their masks indoors at all times (unless an exemption applies - please inform the School in writing). In the latest School Operations guide, the children in P-2 are strongly encouraged to wear them to help limit the spread.
• Outside shade sails - We have secured a grant to construct a shade sail structure on Joan's Yard. As per the recommendation, this will be placed over the wooden logs seating structure near the Eleanor St. gate.
• Ventilation / Air purifiers - No word yet on when these are being delivered. Priority spaces as per the recommendation are Hall, Staff room, first aid rooms where there are high levels of mixing, low ventilation and a place of aerosol generating. Educators ensure all windows and doors are open and the children are learning in big spaces or outside as much as possible.
• Assemblies / Liturgies - These can still go ahead outdoors as per our guidelines. All visitors MUST check in via QR and present their certificate at the gate BEFORE entering.
• Staff off testing - When there has been a positive COVID case identified and we are required to send all Primary Close Contacts home to isolate, our educators stay until almost all children have been picked up from school. This means they are likely to get their tests administered after your child’s. Sometimes this means that their results are not back in time to come to school the next day. Children who come to school the next day with a negative test result will be supervised. Hubs will not undertake their usual learning activities until the following day when all educators are able to be back at school. Thank you for your understanding.
• Home learning grids - Each Friday a home learning grid gets sent to all children who are isolating at home for an extended period. Please let Lauren know if your child is isolating and you have not received a grid. Hub educators will also touch base with those families to see if their child would like a video over their isolation period. This can be in a small group/1:1 with friend/s.
• Bubbles / cohort mixing - We will continue our yard bubbles and indoor learning kept to Hubs only. Educators are taking children / groups outside as much as possible (weather permitting) to keep ventilation high. At this stage, we will only gather as a whole school outside.
• Before school play - ALL children will be required to go straight inside when they arrive at school. This is to limit the mixing between the bubbles of P-2 and 3-6 children.

If you have any further questions about St. John's COVID management, please call/email School Office or Lauren. Thank you for your support.