WELCOME TO ST BRIGID'S

In the last week, we have enrolled 3 new families at St Brigid's. We hope each family experiences the joys of this life-giving community and that each student grows and develops into the best person they can be.

Welcome Starrsy Dickinson and Natalia Rustomji Treble who will join Year 5 this coming Monday and Veronica Awi Sian Vung who has started Kindergarten this week.

PHASE 3 SINGLE MODE OF LEARNING

From Monday 25 May 2020, the single mode of learning is face-to-face (i.e. remote learning will cease). Students will be participating in full classroom learning experiences and will continue to access guided reading and home readers via the PM eCollection app.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff and school community remains our first priority. Despite the challenges of living with COVID-19, we are still focused on the integral formation and growth of each of our students.

As a community we must work together to ensure that we observe the AHPPC advice on the 1.5m physical distancing protocol for staff and adults onsite, as well as practising exemplary COVID -19 hygiene and cleaning protocols.

COVID-19 –  WHEN A STUDENT IS UNWELL AT SCHOOL 

Firstly, if a student is unwell they should remain at home until they have fully recovered from all symptoms.  However, if your child presents unwell at school then the following processes apply:

1. Your child will be cared for at school in the sick bay by a qualified first aid officer, while they await collection from a parent or carer.  
2.  The student will be provided with a medical mask to reduce the risk of transmitting droplets or respiratory fluids.
3. The first aid officer who is assisting the student will also be wearing a medical mask and gloves.
4. The student’s temperature will be taken using a non-contact thermometer to assess severity of presenting symptoms (note that, regardless of the child’s temperature, all students who present unwell will be sent home).
5. When the parent or carer of the student collects the student from school, a letter will be provided to you, which outlines the steps required for the student to be able to return to school.
6. The Government is encouraging all Australians to get tested even with the slightest of respiratory symptoms. Please either get your child tested or visit a health professional to ensure your child is not positive for COVID-19.
7. Once the student has fully recovered a medical clearance certificate should be submitted to the school office. 

If your child has any of the following symptoms they will be sent home to rest and recovery...

• • • Fever
      
    • Cough
    • Runny  or stuffy nose
    • Sore throat
    • Fatigue 
    • Shortness of breath
    • Aches and pains

Please discuss these measures with your child in the event this situation arises. 

LOOK SAFE, FEEL SAFE - PLEASE BE PROACTIVE IN SUPPORTING OUR PROCEDURES FOR TERM 2

The NSW Premier announcement that students across NSW will return to classrooms full time next week was a decision made with the support of NSW Health and the Chief Health Officer. This doesn't mean that it is business as usual. We must be vigilant, we must work together to ensure the safety and well being of everyone in our community.  

1. CAR DROP OFF AND PICK UP FOR TERM 2

• Arrive between 8:35 - 9:00am (students to remain in car until teacher is on duty)
• Departure from 3:00 - 3:20pm
• Adults to remain in the car at all times
• Follow directions of the supervising staff regarding stopping, moving and students exiting the car
• School bags to be inside the car with the child (not the boot)
• Goodbyes should be done prior to leaving home
• Car family name must be on the passenger visor not the dashboard
• If the car zone is full please do not queue - you must drive around the block
• No u-turns to be made in Vickery Street - approach via Acacia Street
• When exiting the car zone please leave in car order (do not overtake or enter the line in front of another car)

2. OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR TERM 2 

• Parents are encouraged to contact the St Brigid's Office via phone or email. Only visit the Office if essential or picking up a child who is sick
• If you need to pick your child up early please phone the school Office ahead of time and wait at the school gate in Vickery Street to collect your child
• To access the Uniform Shop please phone the Office prior to your visit. Ensure you are social distancing, wash and sanitise your hands prior to entering the Uniform Shop.
• Sign in via the contactless iPad

3. STUDENTS CONTINUING ISOLATION

If your child/ren will be continuing isolation and will not be returning to face-to-face learning at school due to the COVID-19 situation, please complete the form using the link below. Please complete the form separately for each child who will be remaining in isolation.

Students Continuing Isolation

HOW TO EXPLAIN WHAT COVID-19 IS TO A CHILD?

Children have a right to know what is going on, but as adults we have a responsibility to protect them from distress. There are ways to talk to children that will help limit their fears and address their concerns.

• Use age appropriate language.
• Show you are listening and their concerns are important to you.
• Explain you haven’t been through anything like this either but you know the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up each day.
• Remind them you are there to look after them.
• Tell them if we listen carefully to advice and put one foot in front of another, it will be okay.
• Let your children know that we are in the best possible position to fight this disease.
• Explain that Australia has done a very good job of controlling the virus. The experts here are being guided by other countries where they have been though this and are now getting over it. We will too.

WORDS YOU CAN USE TO TALK TO YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19

It can be hard to know how to explain COVID-19. These are some ideas you can put into your own words to suit the age and stage of your child.

• COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new germ or bug.
• Germs are tiny organisms that live in our environment and can make us sick if they get in our bodies. 
• You cannot see germs with your eyes (only under a microscope). They are a bit like chilli. You cannot see chilli on your hands but if you lick your fingers or touch your eyes you will know it is there!
• The germ that causes COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person and infects the breathing system, our nose, throat and lungs.
• It is passed from person to person through tiny droplets when people cough or sneeze.
• These droplets can be breathed in by others – which is why we should try not to get too close to others, and cover our sneezes and coughs with our arm or a tissue. Then wash our hands.  
• The droplets might land on surfaces, like phones, door handles, tables and hands. If we shake someone’s hand or touch these things and then touch our eyes, mouth or nose, the germ can get inside us.
• We need to try not to touch our face, avoid shaking hands and wash our hands often, especially before eating (when we put our fingers to our mouth).
• Most kids won’t get very sick if they get COVID-19. If they do it will be a bit like getting a cold.
• The disease is more serious in old people and those that have other sicknesses already. 
• We all need to do what we can to stop the germ spreading to keep it away from old/sick people.