The school is taking precautionary steps to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This page will be kept up to date with the latest information from the school.
COVID-19 Update - Term 1 2022
25 January 2022
COVID Safe Campus Operation
Below is is an update on how we will be managing the pandemic at School for the commencement of Term One. As in 2020 and 2021, we face new challenges from the pandemic. Please be reassured that we will continue to place the health of our students, staff and community as our highest priority.
From the beginning of Term 1 2022, the School will operate with a number of COVID-smart measures that have been developed by NSW Health to minimise transmission and keep schools open. These key measures include:
In this Return to School Update we provide important information regarding our health settings ahead of the start of term. Download your return to school update HERE
You will find more detailed coverage about the start of school in our Commencement Newsletter.
Surveillance Testing
The State Government is providing all schools with Rapid Antigen tests to conduct surveillance testing of every student twice-weekly for the first four weeks of term.
The School requests that families test their children every Monday before school and every Wednesday before school.
Both students and staff should also return a negative Rapid Antigen prior to returning to school on Tuesday 1 February. This test should be taken in the morning before school.
How do I collect my child's Rapid Antigen tests?
Drive-through test collection will take place at school at the following times:
Collection will be split alphabetically by surname as follows:
Please do not leave your car during collection. Our staff will deliver your tests directly to your car. Please note: You may NOT collect tests for another family, you may only collect tests for your own children.
Useful links for the School Community
Where can I find the latest health information on COVID-19?
NSW Health provides information and updates here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/default.aspx
The Australian Government has a dedicated COVID-19 Health Information Line, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1800 020 080
Where can I find advice on supporting my child through this event?
For parents and carers:
For young people:
During these difficult times, maintaining positive wellbeing may be challenging. Relying on news from mainstream media or social media which may be sensational or exaggerate issues can further increase stress and anxiety. It is important to seek information from trusted sources. Below are some resources available to support all children and young people with their wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation has developed a handout on helping children cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Head to Health
It’s natural to feel stressed, worried, anxious, bored or depressed as the Covid-19 pandemic impacts our mental health and wellbeing. This page covers facts about the outbreak as well as tips for maintaining good mental health and how to access mental health services. Psychological tips for coping can help you with managing anxiety and worry about Covid-19.
Reach Out
Self-care can help you feel a little better and can give you a sense of control in a very uncertain time. Here is a list of self-care activities that you can do from home.
Beyond Blue
When children and young people are able to self-manage their emotions their emotions, they feel more confident, capable and in control. Helping children and young people manage their emotions is important for fostering positive mental health and wellbeing.
Student Wellbeing Hub
The Student Wellbeing Hub is a place for educators, parents and students to build safe, inclusive and connected communities that promote wellbeing and learning.
Kids Helpline
KHL provides free, confidential support and counselling for children aged 5-25.
Headspace
Headspace provides mental health services for aged 12-25 including information and resources, as well as online and telephone services. This factsheet is to support young people with Covid-19 related stress.
For younger students:
School TV Wellbeing Checklists
In this Special Report, adult carers will be provided with a checklist that can be used as a guide in determining if there is any cause for concern. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
For primary students: https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-checklist-primary
For secondary students: https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-checklist-secondary
COVID-19 Communication and Campus Closure Plan
29 May 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have recently worked to develop and implement a contingency plan for school closure in the case of a confirmed COVID-19 case at school (or another State or local shutdown).
We would like to share our communication plan and decision-making process should we need to close the campus.
NSW Health will advise the Principal if a confirmed case of COVID-19 has an impact on our school. All other confirmed cases are a personal matter for those involved and they will be managed directly by NSW Health. People assessed as being a ‘close contact’ of a member of the community are identified and contacted by NSW Health and given appropriate advice. Schools are bound by obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) to not disclose the identity of a person with COVID-19 except to authorised people.
Communication Plan
Immediately following notification of a decision to close the campus, as per advice from NSW Health, the communication protocol will include:
Campus Closure Process
Throughout any closure, the steps taken by the school will be under the guidance and advice of NSW Health. If the school is advised of a positive case of COVID-19 during a school day:
Parents please adhere to these guidelines to minimise traffic delays as best as possible. Following the official closure of the campus, we will sanitize all areas of the school.
Collection Points
| Day House | Pick up zone and details |
|---|---|
| Blackman | Senior School Bus Bay Enter via Bathurst Rd Gates, exit via Cox Ave South Gate |
| Brown | Allenby Road Gate |
| Dean | Cox Avenue South Gate Please do not block the gate |
| Douglas | 1st Gate to Wolaroi Boarding House Icely Road |
| Gordon | Cox Avenue North Gate Please do not block the gate |
| McLachlan | Weymouth Boarding House Gate Allenby Road |
| Richards | 2nd Gate to Wolaroi Boarding House Icely Road |
| Williams | Junior School pick up area Enter at Cox Ave South Gate, exit at Cox Ave North Gate |
| Junior School | Junior School pick up area Enter at Cox Ave South Gate, exit at Cox Ave North Gate |
| Pre-Kinder | Pre-Kinder pick up area |
Boarding
Closure of a Boarding House (or Houses) – if deemed necessary – will be completed within 24 hours of the notice for campus closure. Boarding families have been encouraged to prepare a plan for this circumstance. Parents please adhere to these guidelines to minimise traffic delays as best as possible.
Academics
The transition back to remote teaching will happen 24 hours after the announcement of school campus closure. Information regarding timetables and commencement will be sent to students and parents via email.
FAQs
How will I be informed if there is a school closure?
The School will send a notification via SMS and will send a follow-up message via email.
Where do I collect my children?
Junior School children will be collected from the normal pickup zone while Pre-Kinder will be collected as normal from their room. Senior School pickup areas are detailed above and in the map below.
What if I have to pick up children from Senior and Junior?
Pre-Kinder and Junior School students will be collected first. Siblings in the Senior School will be able to travel home with them.
Will the children be prepared to know what to do? Yes, we will be conducting a practice in Week 6.
How soon do I need to be there?
Junior School parents should collect their children within 1 hour of receiving the SMS. Senior School parents will be advised a slightly later time for collection.
Will there be a bus service?
No, there will be no School bus services running and students will not be able to use public transport.
Will there be supervision until I can get there?
Yes. Senior day students will be supervised in the DPA until 6pm while Junior School students will be supervised in Room 52 adjacent to the pick-up area until 5pm.
What if my child is a Boarder?
The Heads of Boarding will be sharing specific information on the process for our Boarding students.
What if my child drives to and from School?
Students who drive to School can drive home and take their siblings but cannot take other students home.
Can my child go with someone else if I am unable to collect them from School?
Supervision will be provided and children will need to be collected by their parents or their authorised emergency contact.
How soon will we have information on who the infected person has been in contact with?
Contact tracing is expected to take approximately 48 hours.
If we suspect our child has been in contact with the sick person, what should we do?
If your child is identified as a close contact you will be advised by NSW Health. If you need advice or have questions, call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
Will the children be sent home with everything they need for learning?
Yes.
How will the school keep us up to date?
There will be regular communication via email.
How soon will the school reopen?
The School will be guided by NSW Health on this and information will be shared as soon as possible by Dr Parry.
Can we take Boarders home?
Boarding students will return to their Houses and be collected by their parents.
Downloads: