If your child is off school because they are symptomatic, then they need to be cleared of COVID-19 before returning. This is one of the new guidelines which will take effect from tomorrow Wednesday 19th August. With the current outbreaks happening in Sydney schools, this is a positive step forward to help keep our schools safe and operating in Lake Macquarie. Several new steps will be adopted with the goal for schools to remain open with face-to-face learning through the pandemic.
New guidelines for schools from Wednesday 19th August 2020
- Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed back to school until a negative test has been reported. Check out all our COVID-19 testing clinics in Lake Macquarie. If no one in your family has been tested yet, getting tested can seem scary at first. Rest assured our staff from Hunter New England Health are caring, fast, and very professional. Nothing to worry about at all.
- While at school, kids must remain within their relevant class or year group to limit mixing.
- Schools won’t be allowed to travel outside the local community or zone, including between rural and regional areas.
- Interschool sport and zone carnivals are now restricted to 100 people per venue and must be held in the local area.
- Spectators, including parents and carers, can not enter school grounds or attend sporting events held during school hours.
- All group singing and or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings, will now not be permitted.
- Dance activities and drama group work can continue under a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- School formals, dances, graduation, or other social events are now all cancelled. Schools can hold a Year 12 assembly at school without parents to recognise the completion of school or can delay until later in the year.
Activities that will remain on hold for term 3
- Kindergarten orientation
- Year 7 orientation has been delayed until Term 4
- School camps
- Excursions
- Interstate excursions
- International excursions (cancelled until further notice)
- All students (except year 12 students) attending classes/activities relating to subjects only available on other campuses
- School or community-run playgroups
- Face-to-face professional learning for staff.
- Parent and carer attendance at assemblies and other school events
- Parent and carer volunteers – e.g. parent reading helpers (note: canteen and uniform shop volunteers are permitted)
- School-based activities that involve a large gathering of adults.
- Interschool sport, drama, debating and other events that are not within the local community or zone including gala days and regional sporting carnivals.
- Certain large arts and sports events are cancelled or delayed.
School cleaning and hygiene
NSW health says our schools are receiving additional cleaning in areas such as high-touch, hard surfaces, door handles, light switches, toilets, etc. Ours schools have also received supplies of key hygiene supplies such as soap, sanitiser, paper towel disinfectant wipes, and PPE. NSW Health says these supplies can be reordered as needed.
Reference:
Education NSW: Updated COVID-Safe guidelines for NSW schools {Accessed 18/08/20}
Education NSW: A guide to NSW school students for Term 3 {Accessed 18/08/20}
ABC: NSW coronavirus cases increase by seven, new restrictions for public schools {Accessed 18/08/20}
