28 Jan 2022
Return to School Term 1 2022
Parents and Caregivers,
I sincerely hope that all of you had a restful break and are staying safe. It is unfortunate that I need to correspond with you all like this, and on this scale, so early in the year. However, I felt it best for you to have as much information that I can provide as early as possible. I am confident that Merewether Public School is ready to support all our students and staff as we begin the academic year under our current circumstances. Please, if at any time you have any concerns or questions about my information contact me at the school. I will be at school to talk or meet with you. I am looking forward to 2022, supporting our students and working closely with families.
Do all students need to return to School?
All students are to return to school (Yrs. 1-6 Tuesday February 1 & Kindergarten Thursday February 3). However, if your child is COVID positive, or they are a close contact they need to isolate and follow the Health Department advice. Please contact the school from Friday morning if you have any concerns about this, or if you child fits this category.
Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) Requirements
Test kits are available for parents to pick up in our Administration building on Monday from 10am-2pm. Parents will need to sign off once they have received their first allotment. Parents can take enough tests for each child covering two tests per child for a week. Each child will require two test kits. The DoE has made a recommendation, for the first four weeks of term, that all students and staff complete a test twice weekly. The first test being administered just prior to the students first day back at school. Our testing days, after the first week will be for Monday and Wednesday. If students return a negative test, they come to school. If students return a positive test, parents must inform the school, record it on the Service NSW Website, isolate, and follow the Health Department advice. Each Friday the parents/carers will need to pick up the RAT kits for the following week.
Updated mask requirements
School staff must wear masks in all indoor settings at school and are recommended to wear masks outside. Students’ years 3 – 6 are recommended to wear masks inside. The DoE has also recommended that students and staff at school no longer wear cloth masks, or masks with inbuilt vents. Along with the RAT kits we have also been supplied with masks for all students and staff that meet this new requirement. You can get masks for your children when you pick up the test kits, if you wish.
Arrival and Pick Up (remains as it was at the end of last term until further notice)
Drop-offs
All students must enter the school via the main gate in Henry Street.
• K - 2 will go to the COLA area.
• 3 - 6 will go to the senior playground.
Pick-ups
• K -1 will be leaving through the main office gate at 2.45pm.
• 2 - 4 will be leaving through the main office gate at 3pm.
• 5 - 6 will be leaving through the lower gate near the school hall at 3pm.
Parents/carers on Merewether Public School site
Parents and carers must follow the school’s advice regarding changes to student drop-off and pick-up:
• follow social distance rules and avoid gathering outside school gates
• remain outside school grounds
• adhere to mask-wearing requirements in accordance with the Public Health Order.
• sign in using the Service NSW QR code if entering the school.
Cohort Distancing at break times
We will be operating under a cohort system to keep our students separated to comply with public health orders.
• Each cohort will have different zones during break times. We will ensure that we keep these cohorts apart and as safe as possible.
ü K - 2 will go to the COLA area.
ü 3 - 6 will go to the senior playground.
• Physical distancing of 1.5m will be maintained, wherever possible.
Students Sick at School
Just as last year, if your child is displaying any cold or flu like symptoms they need to go home immediately. I understand that there are students who manage allergies, and so I am asking that all students in this situation have a Dr Certificate or note on their person to present to staff if asked. Otherwise, if they are displaying the above symptoms they must go home from school. Thank you for your cooperation on this point and please understand this is a DoE mandate.
Ventilation
The department’s ventilation recommendations have been informed by NSW Health advice, expert advice from the Doherty Institute and the World Health Organisation. This advice tells us that maximising natural ventilation in our learning spaces is the key to keeping people safe and this can be best achieved by opening doors and windows. Staff at Merewether School will be directed to keep windows and doors open, as appropriate, to support these findings.
Greg Culhane
Principal
Merewether Public School