20 May 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Yesterday the Premier announced a return to full time education for all student’s week commencing May 25 2020, confirming media reports from Monday night. This is very welcome news and demonstrates the enormous effort the community has made in complying with the regulations around maintain health and safety. It has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, and I could not be prouder of the Erina High School Community and their amazing support and engagement with remote learning and embracing a staged return.
All Erina student’s 7-12 are expected to attend full time from Monday and return to their normal timetable, commencing as week 5 B. “The research from the National Centre for Immunisation and Surveillance has shown limited transmission risk associated with school children in the school environment. Consistent with this line of evidence, the guidelines of the AHPPC have become less stringent, removing the requirement for physical distancing of school children in schools”, NSW Government Website - Education.
EHS will still maintain high level hygiene procedures with hand sanitizer in all classrooms, soap in bathrooms and observe social distancing protocols during breaks and in the canteen area. Additional cleaning hours have been allocated to all schools to enhance the cleaning procedures, with more regular cleaning of bathrooms, wiping down of high touch point surfaces such as railings, stairwells, outdoor tables. Classrooms will be set up to minimise interaction and make full use of the space available.
All non- contact curriculum related activities can resume such as project and group work, practical lessons in technology and Science. Non– Contact sport can resume but contact sports such as – basketball, netball, soccer, tag and rugby are not permitted. All equipment used in practical activities must be thoroughly cleaned before and after use. EHS are developing a sport program for year 9 and 10 on a Tuesday afternoon that provides opportunities for physical activity within the guidelines provided. This will be communicated separately.
All students should be at school unless they have a medical certificate which states they are unable to return to school due to an ongoing medical condition, or they are currently unwell. As Teachers will resume face to face learning, remote on line learning will cease. For students absent with medical certificates for extended periods of time parents can request work packages to be provided.
We will not host whole school assemblies or engage with non-essential activities such as school excursions, athletics carnivals or work experience. Non- essential visitors to our site including parents, volunteers and members of the community will not be permitted. We will not be able to host parent/teacher night this term and this may be possible in term 3. Parents are still able to contact our Teachers for feedback on their children’s progress and a modified Semester One report will be provided in the coming weeks.
Social distancing remains in place for adults so we will not host staff meetings or meetings of more than 5 adults and have procedures in place to support the health and safety of our staff. EHS will continue to implement all advice provided to ensure we maintain a safe school site and our highest priority will continue to be the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. The strong community support throughout the pandemic has been deeply appreciated and we look forward to seeing all of our wonderful students and staff back full-time next week.
Karen Nicol (Principal)
