ISSUE 30: 22nd October 2021

Return to School Arrangements - Minimising Risk to Our Community

As students start returning to school we know that many students, parents and staff may feel anxious due to the current situation in Mildura.  It is a certainty that Coronavirus will still be present in the community, but as a school, we all need to be fully committed to doing all we can to protect the safety and wellbeing of all in our community.   Below we have some important points that we hope provides some reassurance to families.  The guidelines we are required to follow aim to minimise risk so that  if cases do present in a school community our safety measures taken would hopefully mean only a few people or a class are impacted by isolation.  This is much better than what we have been experiencing over the last two years.

Supporting Primary School Children Return to Onsite Learning

Do you have questions about the safety and logistics of a COVID-safe return to school? This webinar from the Royal Children’s Hospital looks at how we can support students returning to school from lockdown.  The panel features experts in COVID-safe practices for children, mental health and educational development. To watch this video please click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1DizMUOeng

Facemasks

Masks for students in Years 3 - 6 are now mandated in indoor settings, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID as on-site learning recommences over the coming weeks.  We have a limited supply of child-sized masks in each classroom.  Please send your child with their own mask with their name clearly written on it. Masks are strongly recommended for students in Foundation – Year 2 in indoor settings, but will not be mandatory.  

Face masks, along with other preventative measures, improve the safety of the school environment and contribute to reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission within the school community and the wider community. To be effective, a face mask must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements. 

Staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or mental health condition may be exempt from wearing a mask. Further details are available on the Victorian Government Coronavirus website:

 www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks-when-wear-face-mask  

We ask that those students from Year 3-6 who are exempt provide a letter to the school.  It can be emailed to principal@shmildura.catholic.edu.au    If the school has no evidence of medical reasons the school may request documentation from a doctor.

Parents Accessing School Grounds

Parents are able to enter the school grounds to drop off and collect students. It is a requirement that visitors wear masks and socially distance themselves from others, but we strongly advise against parents gathering outside classrooms for more than 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, parents will be required to check in via the QR codes provided outside each classroom door. When entering any school building the QR check in is a requirement.

Social Distancing

As a staff, we are very conscious of maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres between ourselves and other staff members or adults.  Where practicable we also encourage this between adults and students and between students themselves.  Seating has been arranged in confined spaces for staff and visitors to promote appropriate physical distancing.   Larger meetings are held via Zoom amongst our staff.  Some classes are being held outside and students are given opportunities to have breaks outside where appropriate.

Classes & Year Level groups

We will be working towards limiting as much as possible classes mixing with other classes and other year levels.  Where possible, students will work, eat and play with members of their own class or year level to minimise risk of transfer in the event of a positive COVID case.

Recess & Lunch Play Times

All students will follow our normal timetabled recess and lunch times, however units will be restricted to playing in designated areas of the school on specific days. 

Kiss and Go

Kiss & Go will be slightly different - students will sit in their year levels when waiting to be picked up.  Areas will be marked in the Kiss and Go area for students to sit.  To spread students out more, we will use the grassed area further down from where students normally sit. 

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing

The mental health and wellbeing of students remains an important consideration.  If you have any concerns in regards to your child please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher. Our Wellbeing Officer is also available for families or students to speak to if needed.

Illness/Monitoring of Symptoms

It is important that we all continue to monitor our own health and that of our children daily during this time. If you or your child develop any symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath you should get tested and remain at home, even if symptoms are mild.  Everyone should consider their health before they go to work or attend school.

Due to the current situation, the school will be extra cautious and if children present with any symptoms, parents will be contacted to collect their child. If covid symptoms are present, they must get tested. If symptoms do not go away and are due to allergy or other conditions we will ask that a medical certificate is supplied stating that the child is safe to attend school.

Illnesses or symptoms that are passed on amongst those in our school community can have an impact on staff and families.  This may just be a cold but if passed on it can impact and cause distress to both families and staff as this may mean having to get tested, waiting for results and staying at home with students.  With many parents currently working in important roles to help protect our community and many people anxious about the current situation, I think it is important that we take this cautious approach.

Ventilation

As a school, we are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces whenever possible.  Where possible we are keeping windows and doors open.  Air conditioners are set to external air rather than recycling.  Where fans are available they are being used.  The Victorian Government is delivering air purifier units (model Samsung AX7500) for the school to use in high-risk areas.

Vaccinations

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect the community and slow the spread of COVID-19.  All staff, contractors and visitors who work in our school are required to have the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by now.  All staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by 29th November unless a medical exemption applies.  All staff are required to show evidence of their vaccination status.

At this stage It is important to know that when parent volunteers return to classrooms and are required to work in close proximity to students or staff that they will be required to follow the same vaccination requirements as staff.  

Hygiene and Cleaning

All staff, students and visitors to the school should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival at school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.  Staff are reminding students of this regularly.  COVIDSafe routine cleaning arrangements continue to be in place; in particular regular cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, and the inclusion of some elements that were not included prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical Vulnerabilities

As per the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, COVIDSafe measures have been put in place to ensure our school is safe for all children including those that are medically vulnerable. If a student has a higher risk for severe outcomes or complications of COVID-19 (for example, those with chronic medical conditions) advice from the child’s medical practitioner regarding onsite school attendance should be sought.  In most cases, the presence of common conditions such as asthma or diabetes, should not preclude a student from attending face-to-face learning.

Supervision of Students

Please note that when school is open for on-site learning, remote learning will not be facilitated.  Students who don’t attend will be marked as absent.  Students who do not attend in-person will be supported as per the school’s normal procedures for students who are absent from school.  We would encourage parents to talk to their child’s teacher who may be able to give suggestions for learning that could occur at home, but their priority will be with the students attending school.

Arriving at and Leaving School Grounds off Twelfth Street

As students arrive and leave school, they will be encouraged to not use the office area as a thoroughfare.   They will need to enter and leave via footpath near the bike rack and around the Office.  This will help ensure appropriate social distancing can occur.  We can set up a portable sanitising station near the bike racks.

Communication

If a student becomes a primary contact or is a confirmed COVID-19 case we would greatly appreciate it if you could let the school know ASAP.   This will allow the school to be proactive and not wait for confirmation from DHHS.  This can sometimes take some time after a person is a confirmed case.

Sacred Heart will keep the school community up to date with the latest advice on school COVID requirements as directed by the Chief Health Officer, State Government and Catholic Education Commission Victoria.

I thank you for your support as we continue to work through the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic as a school community.

Prep Unit Team Contact Details

• Unit Leader: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
• Cooinda (Year Prep): Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
• Wahroonga (Year Prep): Miss Courtney Sheridan

Junior Unit Team Contact Details

Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.

• Unit Leader: Mrs Katrina Groves 
• Karinya (Year 1): Mrs Chris Carmichael
• Barramunga (Year 1): Mrs Katrina Groves (Monday-Thursday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Friday) 
• Bundaleer (Year 1): Mrs Maree Irvin (Tuesday-Friday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Monday)
• Waminda (Year 2): Miss Georgina Hewitt
• Kyema (Year 2): Mrs Kim Taylor

Middle Unit Team Contact Details

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• Unit Leader: Miss Sophie Price
• Amaroo (Year 3): Mrs Xana Priestley
• Yongana (Year 3): Mrs Cathy Rowles
• Mootwingee (Year 3): Miss Sophie Price
• Minga (Year 4): Mrs Natalee Johnson
• Eumeralla (Year 4): Mrs Maria Beer
• Nangare (Year 4): Mrs Kerryn Weaver (Monday-Tuesday) & Mrs Emma Kotsiakos (Wednesday-Friday)

Senior Unit Team Contact Details

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• Unit Leader: Mrs Jo Campbell
• Myalla (Year 5): Mrs Sarah Beckwith
• Illawarra (Year 5): Miss Belinda Zappia
• Narooma (Year 6): Mrs Jo Campbell
• Dourim (Year 6): Mr Corey Barbary