PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Dear Families
Staff shortages:
The term has started well in terms of us all being happy to be back at school and enjoying the work, staff and friends being readily accessible. The challenges which we all faced in our various roles will continue. For our school the obvious issues are:
- Absences of both staff and students. This naturally challenges us in providing the continuous learning that we all expect. All indications are that the Winter flu season and the COVID situation will mean disruptions to every school and family.
- In line with this we expect staff and families to not attend school when ill. This is not good for the individual or the others in our environment.
- On the staff front the challenges of replacing ill staff members will continue. This was clearly demonstrated last week in the office !!
Government announcement: Face Masks
The announcement last night on the wearing of face masks and testing exemptions have been sent to all parents and are included below.
The full communication is also attached.
It is strongly recommended by the Victorian Department of Health that face masks are worn in indoor settings, with face masks mandatory for those aged 8 and over who are household contacts and attending school. This is because the wearing of masks is effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19.
What does this mean in practice for schools?
It is the department’s expectation that, through to the end of winter, students aged 8 and over and staff will wear masks when in class, except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication or when a particular activity requires the removal of a mask.
Masks are not required to be worn outdoors but can be worn when physical distancing is not possible. This expectation should not constrain student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.
Exemptions for testing and isolation
The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks.
This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing and isolation requirements from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this exemption period was 12 weeks.
After the 4-week exemption period, students and staff members who are a household contact of a new COVID-19 case, must follow the rules for household contacts, including reporting this to their school.
As part of this they must take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results and wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces.
Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period.
Curriculum Day:
We are planned to have a curriculum day on Numeracy on Friday 5th August. The day will present an opportunity to hear from outside presenters and time for us to reflect on our current Numeracy Program. Thanks to Louisa Blamires and the team for organising.
Care for the Day: If numbers allow we are offering care for the day via Cheryl and our Out of School Care team. Please contact Cheryl asap to book your child/children in. (Please note that the program attracts financial support via the Government CCS)
Before and After school Care:
Please, we must have students signed in and out of the program each day. This means parents must come into the facility on both occasions. This is to avoid children going missing or leaving/entering the program without anyone’s knowledge.
Lunch Orders have commenced on Thursdays. Orders need to be placed before 9pm. on Wednesday.
HELP !!!! We need a parent helper from 12.50 pm. till 1.40 pm. each Thursday to help distribute the lunch orders.
Please contact the office if you can help and we'll get a roster organised.
We need someone to help out this coming Thursday.
Gavan Welsh
Principal Chilwell Primary School.
