COVID Safety

We want to remind all parents and carers that students who have symptoms (temperature above 37.5 and/or cough and/or sore throat) need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative result or medical clearance before returning to school. You can find a COVID-19 testing clinic here. Please email admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au with a screen shot of the test result or medical clearance. Thanks for working with us to limit the transmission of the virus in order to keep our students safe and our school open

This week the NSW Government released updated guidelines for schools. Avondale School remains committed to complying with all advice in order to keep our students, staff and community safe. 

Here are the main impacts:

• We are disappointed that parents and volunteers are still not permitted on campus. Parents are currently not able to be present for music lessons. We encourage you to remain in your car if possible at drop-off and pick-up times. 
• If you need to talk to a teacher, please email first to arrange a Zoom meeting or phone call. Please be assured that we are available remotely. 
• Group singing, chanting and playing of wind instruments is banned completely. This will impact chapels, worships, music lessons, choirs and band. Special arrangements are in place to support Year 12 music students.
• Students who have symptoms (temperature above 37.5 and/or cough and/or sore throat) need to be tested and provide a copy of a negative result or medical clearance before returning to school. You can find a COVID-19 testing clinic here. Please email admin@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au with a screen shot of the test result or medical clearance.
• Schools are encouraged to limit contact across year levels or stage groups wherever possible.
• Camps and excursions are on hold. Tentative planning for the end of Term 4 or the beginning of 2021 may occur.
• Schools are not permitted to travel outside their local area or mix with schools from outside their local area.
• Orientations and parent meetings are on hold.
• Sporting activities can continue including the use of local venues off campus.
• Families are encouraged not to go out to venues that may be overcrowded, not practising hygiene measures or located in hotspots. Please leave contact information at all external venues to ensure that you can be contacted promptly in the case of a confirmed case.
• Families are encouraged to stay up-to-date with information about hotspots and take the required action.
• All students who have visited Victoria must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to comply with health restrictions relevant to their permit which may include the need to complete the 14-day self-isolation period. 

Responding to COVID-19 Cases 

We have plans in place to respond to any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 at school. We will work closely with NSW Health and will communicate with parents and caregivers if a situation arises. In this emergency situation, email will be our primary form of communication, so please check emails regularly. There are 2 possible scenarios:We close for 1-2 days for deep cleaning and contact tracing. No students or staff would be allowed on campus during this time and we would provide basic learning activities. Identified close contacts would be required to self-isolate and be tested

We are directed to close for 14 days and all students and staff would be required to self-isolate. During this time staff will have greater time to provide online learning through Landscape to the level that you were used to during our previous period of remote learning. 

We are disappointed to have to cancel or postpone many of our events and activities, however, the safety of our community remains the priority. Please know that we are using our creativity to find fun, memorable and safe alternatives for our students. We appreciate the support from our community and know that as we work together to stay safe, our school can remain open. If we can support your family in any way, please let us know.

Kind regards

Deb Cooper
Principal