14 Oct 2021
Dear Parents / Caregivers,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well. I want to sincerely thank you for your support, in ensuring our students are back into the swing of learning from home for the beginning of Term 4. This term will see a lot of changes as we gradually transition back to face-to-face learning as the Premier announced in the adjusted return to school plan last week. Below are the key dates and details to help prepare you and your family for the return, including some changes in the staged return to school.
Return to school roadmap
During Term 4, students will return to school in a staged approach, with no mingling or on-site activities. In schools like ours where we have been learning from home for extended periods of time, students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings on school sites in the following order:
• from 18 October – Kindergarten, Year 1
• from 25 October – all remaining year groups.
The return to school roadmap is subject to change depending on advice from NSW Health. You can stay up to date with the most recent information on our Advice for families page.
For those families who have siblings across year groups I know it will be difficult to keep some at home while others are back at school. But to re-iterate the message above – we need this time to prepare our school and staff for having all our students back, so it’s essential that you only send your children to school in line with our set plan.
Virtual Assembly
To discuss the roadmap to the return to face-to-face learning, we will be holding a virtual ‘return to school’ assembly via ZOOM. There will be two sessions available on Friday afternoon. Both sessions will cover the same information, however the second session will be presented with the support of Mrs Hammou, who will interpret for our non-English speaking families.
You can enter the virtual assembly through the following links or by using the meeting IDs and passcodes below:
Session 1: 4pm on Friday, 15 October 2021
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/68042723076?pwd=d3RsRTZMRjZVaXZkcnBOZnRpdFBQQT09
Meeting ID: 680 4272 3076
Passcode: 296022
Session 2 : 5pm on Friday, 15 October 2021 - for our Arabic speaking families
Join Zoom Meeting https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/63809436061?pwd=U0lKSlFQZTNVaUw5MlVlMkYyM3hSUT09
Meeting ID: 638 0943 6061
Passcode: 933710
During the assembly we will outline our school’s plan for bringing students and staff back on site in a COVID-safe way this term; what to expect when face-to-face learning resumes; and where we need your support to ensure a successful return to school.
If you can’t make the assembly, we will share an outline of our return to school plan in a letter on Friday evening. We look forward to connecting with you at the virtual assembly.
Mask requirements
When students and staff return to school the following requirements are in place:
• masks are required for all staff and students in Year 7 and above indoors and outdoors (unless exercising or eating).
• masks are strongly recommended for primary students indoors and outdoors (unless exercising or eating).
Masks are mandatory on public transport. This applies to students aged 13 years and over, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services.
Students aged 12 years and over eligible for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines
NSW Health are urging all students 12 and over to get vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible before returning to school.
There is currently sufficient supply of the Moderna vaccine to community pharmacies and the Pfizer vaccine to General Practitioners. Bookings can be made via the Vaccine Clinic link. Depending on location, bookings are available within the next few days.
COVID-19 vaccination is the best protection against severe illness and also reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 now will help to protect both you, your family and our school community.
Wellbeing resources for students and families
Please take some time to check out our wellbeing resources for students and families. You’ll find useful tools for mental health and wellbeing. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can do anything to help you and your children to prepare for the return to face-to-face learning or if you have any concerns about the return to school.
Thank you again for your continued support during what has already been a fast-moving school term.
Tracey Betts
Principal