News on the coronavirus changes daily and I continue to monitor the Health Department website and heed Education Department advice to ensure best practice at school for our students. I encourage parents to check this site for daily updates: Health Department
Today the official advice for schools is:
Who cannot attend school
Students or staff cannot attend school and need to self-quarantine if they have:
- left or transited through mainland China in the last 14 days, they must isolate themselves for 14 days from the date of leaving mainland China;
- left or transited through Iran on or after 1 March, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving Iran;
- left or transited through the Republic of Korea, on or after 5 March, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving the Republic of Korea;
- left or transited through Italy in the last 14 days, they must isolate themselves for 14 days from the date of leaving Italy;
- been informed by public health authorities that they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case.
Students or staff who have been tested for COVID-19 should follow the advice of the Department of Health and stay away from school whilst awaiting results.
The above also applies to all parents/carers, contractors, visitors and volunteers on school sites.
Parents/carers and staff should notify their school or line manager if the student or staff member will be away for the isolation period and confirm the date in which they were last in mainland China, Iran, the Republic of Korea or Italy, or have been advised by the Department of Health to isolate.
Who can attend school
Students or staff who have travelled to or transited through other countries (excluding China, Iran, Republic of Korea and Italy) can attend school. If students or staff display symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, shortness of breath) they should not attend school and seek medical advice.
All returned travellers who have travelled in or transited through “higher risk” countries or a country considered to pose a “moderate risk” of transmission in the last 14 days should self-monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate themselves if they become unwell.
Higher risk: Must isolate for 14 days prior to attending school: Mainland China; Iran; Republic of Korea; Italy.
Moderate risk: Can attend school, but self-monitor: All other countries.
Please could you let me know if anyone in your immediate family is required to self-isolate or is tested.
If a WA school has to close due to a confirmed case, it will be on advice from the WA Health Department’s Chief Health Officer.
This is the advice we are giving students, from the Health Department:
- Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Refrain from touching mouth and nose.
- If coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a paper tissue or flexed elbow.
- Dispose of the tissue immediately after use and perform hand hygiene.
- Avoid close contact with anyone if you, or they, have a cold or flu-like symptoms (maintain a distance of at least 1 metre).
Just a few other quick reminders and notices:
Tomorrow is photo day and we have a very full schedule all day. Due to demand, Kapture made 36 sibling slots available – before school yesterday (surnames A-K) and tomorrow (surnames L-Z) and were fully booked. Unfortunately, yesterday nearly half of the bookings did not show up for their photo. So this is a gentle reminder to booked L-Z families to present for sibling photos from 7.45am-8.30am tomorrow…
There are three upcoming P&C events:
- The big breakfast is this Friday, from 7.30am. Everything will be $5.00 and the correct money will be very much appreciated!
- The dads and kids camp is on the weekend of 21-22 March.
- A sundowner (adults only) will be held on April 3. There will be drinks, live music and finger food. Tickets are limited so do get in early to avoid disappointment. Sundowner tickets
Finally, I am inviting children to design a logo for our centenary. The logo will be used for marketing. Designs should be on A4, using black fine liner pen, in black and white. The centenary dates are: 21 March 1921 to 21 March 2021. Entries should be given to the office by Friday 20 March please.
Hoping to see everyone on their bike on Friday with wacky hair (bring a gold coin to raise money for kids with cancer) and washed hands!
Lisa Dentith