Coronavirus Updates
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.
JUNIOR SCHOOL COVID ALERT - 24 OCTOBER 2023
Dear Junior School Families,
The Junior School currently has a number of students, across all year groups, testing positive for COVID-19.
The health and safety of children and staff is our top priority. We are monitoring the situation and taking appropriate precautions at school through good ventilation, hand sanitising and offering masks.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 are most infectious 2 days before symptoms appear and while they have obvious symptoms. A person may be infectious for up to 10 days.
Students should stay home if they are unwell. If a student is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms, even the mildest of symptoms, they should always be tested for COVID-19 by taking a rapid antigen test (RAT) to identify infection early. The School has a supply of free Rapid Antigen Tests available to families from the Junior School Office.
If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student should still not return to school until either:
· the student no longer has any symptoms, or
· a medical certificate is provided to the school confirming that symptoms are explained by another diagnosis (such as allergies or hay fever).
Students and visitors should only attend school when they are symptom free. We strongly encourage all students and visitors to follow the guidance issued by NSW Health if they have COVID-19 symptoms. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, we ask that they remain at home until their symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever) have gone.
Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Junior School Reception at junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au
Denise Hayward
Head of Junior School
COVID-19 UPDATE - 2023
COVID-Smart measures at School
Term 1 2023
We know that being together in the classroom is the best thing for our students. This term we will continue to implement several measures to allow us to prioritise both the wellbeing of our students and a consistent and productive learning environment.
The following guidelines have been updated for students and staff at Kinross Wolaroi School:
Stay home if unwell
• If your child is unwell, you must keep them at home. If they are displaying COVID-19 symptoms, they should take a COVID-19 test (PCR or RAT) and follow the advice from the NSW Government on managing COVID-19 safely at home.
• Your child should only return to school when they are symptom free.
Vaccinations
• Vaccinations for COVID-19 and other viral illnesses are one of the best ways of protecting yourself, your family and the community. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to give your immune system a helping hand against many illnesses.
• All eligible students and staff are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with their vaccinations to protect their health.
Rapid antigen testing
• Rapid antigen tests (RATs) should be used if your child is displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
• Students who test positive to COVID-19 are encouraged to notify their school and register their positive test results with Service NSW to have access to timely advice and support from NSW Health.
• The School will maintain a reserve stock of rapid antigen tests onsite for surveillance testing purposes in the event of an outbreak.
• Cleaning at school will continue to focus on high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, lockers, light switches and hand rails in stairways.
Hygiene and cleaning
• Students are encouraged to regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water, and to use personal protective equipment as required.
Ventilation
• Fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise the risk of transmission.
• All learning spaces in the school have been checked to ensure appropriate levels of ventilation and air purifiers have been provided where needed.
• Using outdoor spaces will continue to be encouraged where possible.
Masks
• Masks are an effective way to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses and infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Masks are recommended for all students, staff and visitors to school sites, particularly when using transport, excursions and other large group events where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are also particularly recommended for people who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Visitors
• Visitors can attend school sites regardless of their vaccination status.
Activities
• Health and safety risk assessments will be integrated when planning activities, including excursions and overnight camps.
• Parents and carers will be made aware of the risk of exposure and will need to give permission for certain activities.
Responding to local situations
• The School will work with the AISNSW and NSW Health to respond appropriately to local situations, including outbreaks of viral illness.
• In some extreme cases, the School may temporarily introduce additional measures as a ‘circuit breaker’, including requiring mask-wearing, postponing or limiting non-essential activities and directing cohorts to learn remotely.
Learning remotely
• The School will continue to have access to digital and printed learning resources to support students who need to learn remotely.