Dear families,
It is great to welcome everyone back for the 2021 school year and all signs point to an engaging and productive school year. We are indeed a caring community with the common aim to nurture our young people along their learning journey.
As we approach the start of 2021 school year, it is time to review our COVID-19 restrictions. We continue to be very fortunate on keeping our Community transmission rate to zero in South Australia which is a wonderful thing. At the same time we continue to monitor closely what is happening and we are continually being reminded not to be complacent, just because we are doing well at present.
Below is a reminder of what we know at the moment, given that things can change at short notice.
Access to school grounds
We are asked to minimise parents, volunteers, and non-urgent service providers entering the site where possible.
There is no access to classrooms or the Atrium (or any buildings other than the front office) at present, other than people who are ‘invited’ such as for a teacher meeting or as a volunteer.
Contractors are considered essential and can continue to enter the grounds, providing all details are recorded on the site access form for contact tracing purposes.
Physical distancing and density requirements
All adults are requested to maintain the 1.5m social distance as per government guidelines. This applies in the school grounds and when dropping off or collecting children before and after school.
Site visitors’ log / QR Codes
All visitors (eg. volunteers) and contractors sign in at the front office/reception and provide the date and time of their visit and a mobile number and email address. This will enable communication in the event of a site closure and assist SA Health with contact tracing. We have QR codes to make this an easy and quick process.
Gates that you will find locked
The gate on Young Street and the gate next to Room One on Edward Beck Drive will be locked from 9am to 3pm each day. This is to manage specific needs in relation to several students.
Excursions
Excursions will continue provided that they comply with state directions. We will check with the venue being visited to ensure they’re open and accepting school groups. We will comply with any COVID-19 Plan that is in place.
Classes visiting/using a public venue will be clear on their responsibilities and obligations to ensure COVID-19 safe practices.
Acquaintance Evening
Due to COVID requirements we will not have the evening as a face to face meeting at school. Instead, teachers will arrange an alternative way to share what they are doing for 2021. Acquaintance Evening is scheduled for Tuesday 9th February. More details will also be shared via your child’s class teacher in the first week of school.
Volunteers – Canteen and Kitchen
Volunteers will be sourced for the Canteen and the Kitchen Program, ensuring that the 1.5m distancing rule is complied with and that all hygiene practices are followed.
Volunteers for Classrooms
This will be reviewed in the first four weeks of term one, depending on advice from The Department and SA Health. At this stage we continue with the rule of no parent being permitted to enter classrooms or school buildings.
New Receptions – Day One
We ask that parents say goodbye to their child at the classroom door where the class teacher and possibly an SSO will be on hand to take over. At the same time we ask that parents maintain a suitable 1.5m distance socially at all times.
Cheers and Tears
This occurs from 8:30am on Wednesday 27th January and all reception and first time Woodend parents are welcome to attend. This will be held outside of the Canteen entrance area on the asphalt. Given that is well ventilated, and that parents maintain a suitable social distance, this can proceed. Coffee and Tea will be available along with some Covid-19 safe food.
Preventing illness
Personal hygiene and the hygiene standards in our schools are critical to reducing the risk of infection.
All children and staff are encouraged to:
- wash their hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating
- avoid spreading infections to others by staying home if they are unwell
- cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or sneeze into the elbow.
Get tested if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, however mild.
Kind Regards,
Steve Freeman
Principal
