Return to school 

Dear students and families,

Well we made it and thankfully, we can’t wait to welcome all students back to school tomorrow and reflect on the lock down and how well we all did. 

Please note the following arrangements for tomorrow, pending additional advice from DET. It's a long message but please stick with it through to the end. We are relying on each and every family to ensure safety and consistency complying with the expectations and required safety protocols. 

Please ensure students are:

1. Dressed in 100% correct uniform.
2. Have their water bottle.
3. Have an adequate personal mask supply.
4. Know to lock their mobile phone in their locker all day, if they feel the need to bring it to school at all.

Students will attend normal classes on site tomorrow, Thursday 18 February, follow their normal timetable on Compass and carry all necessary equipment. 

We aim to settle students quickly and get them into those routines that we know work. Please be familiar with all information listed below and go through these expectations with your child.

General advice

• Students, don’t come to school if you are sick!! Act quickly. Get tested. Isolate. Notify covidOHS@emc.vic.edu.au if a positive test result is received.
• Carry face masks. Why not bring a packet and store these in your locker?
• Staff and students are to use outdoor pathways when moving across the school to limit crowding.
• All staff have completed the Infection Prevention and Control in Schools Module to keep our school safe and hygienic.

Face masks

In 2020, our students did a fantastic job of wearing a mask at all times in Term 4 but for some reason a large percentage are choosing NOT to comply with this State-wide requirement at this time which puts us all at risk.

Students MUST carry a face mask at all times. Leave home with masks each day, have spares in their locker and wear these at all times when indoors and outdoors if they can’t socially distance. We cannot sustain the sheer volume of disposable masks being distributed daily. 

Face masks must be worn indoors by people aged 12 years and over, unless an exemption applies. This includes school classrooms and while travelling on public transport. Face masks are not required outdoors except where physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained. If a student presents at an office requesting information or assistance and is not wearing a mask they are unlikely to be assisted until they put their mask on. 

Classroom set-up: 

Classrooms have been set up to encourage physical distancing and must remain so.

Hygiene

• Practice good hand hygiene, particularly before and after eating, after blowing nose, coughing, sneezing.
• Hand sanitiser is readily available in classrooms and at major indoor entry points.
• The automated hand sanitiser machines are also in outdoor high traffic areas.
• Ensure you use this before and after each class or activity and when handling any shared equipment.
• Minimise hand contact with high touch surfaces.
• Lockers - students to stand back and show patience. No sharing lockers or locks.

Let’s ensure a long-term, COVID safe return to school.

Judy Curson

Assistant Principal