12 Jul 2021
Educational Department COVID-19 Guidelines Term 3 2021
Dear Parent/Caregiver,
I hope that this correspondence finds everyone well, hopefully rested after the term break. I am contacting you all to inform you of the learning landscape regarding the health concerns over the current COVID situation. I haven’t contacted you directly until now, as I wanted to make sure I had the relevant information leading into the term and to be specific in relation to our context. I can confirm, as we are regarded as Regional NSW, and not Greater Sydney, that we are on current Level 2 restrictions and this means the following -
School Based Learning: School for Irrawang High School students will resume on site from the first day of term, Tuesday July 13. All students are to be at school unless they are unwell. If your child has cold or flu like symptoms, please do not send them to school. If students present to school with cold or flu like symptoms, they are to go home, get a COVID test, and not return to school until they have a negative test reading. If your child has such symptoms that are in line with a separate health condition, please ensure that the school has full documentation of this from a medical practitioner, otherwise I will have to send them home. As we are on Level 2 Restrictions, I cannot offer flexible learning arrangements to students unless this need is outlined in writing by a medical practitioner in the interest of a student’s existing health condition.
Wearing of Masks: This is a change within the COVID-Safe School Operations. Considering Irrawang High School is at Level 2 it is recommended that all students from year 7 to 12, along with staff, wear a mask indoors. If your child would feel comfortable wearing a mask at school, and especially whilst learning indoors, they are recommended to do so. The school is going to be given a limited supply of disposable masks. However, if you are planning on having your child wear a mask at school, I appreciate your support in sourcing your own mask where possible.
Greater Sydney Contact: If any student has had either direct or indirect contact with people from Greater Sydney, they are still to attend school as normal, unless they have cold or flu like symptoms, and then the health guidelines need to be followed.
Excursions/Events: If your child is attending an excursion in the first weeks of term, unless it is in the Greater Sydney Region, it will go ahead. If you have any concerns about any excursion, please contact the school. Please understand excursions are subject to change at any time.
Visitors/Parents: Parents and carers are no longer able to enter school grounds unless they are attending an arranged meeting with a staff member. Parents and carers needing to come onto school grounds, will need to call the school’s office on 4987 4687 to discuss the need of your visit. You will then need to check-in via a QR code, sign a register as well as wear a mask.
Thank you for your support in continuing to follow the NSW Health and Education Department guidelines as you did in 2020. These arrangements will be updated as needed via our website and facebook site.
Paul Baxter
Principal Irrawang High School
Monday July 12, 2021