Intensive Swimming
Intensive Swimming started this week. We are very fortunate that Julia, one of our Hydrotherapy teachers is also qualified to teach intensive swimming and she already knows all the students. There are 28 students participating in intensive swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks. They are being taught swimming strokes and skills. The students who are not involved in the intensive swimming program are able to do Hydro either on a Monday or Thursday until the other program is finished. Please remember to bring in all necessary swimming gear for both programs.
Holiday jobs
In the holidays artificial turf was laid in the 3rd playground near the bus bay. It looks so much nicer and is much easier to manage. Also, two of our demountable classrooms had their rooves replaced (as they had been leaking) and workers started the refurbishment process of the Blue Gum classroom. This should be finished in about 2 weeks. Lastly, a whole new pool thermostat system was installed so the Hydrotherapy program could start up again at the beginning of this term.
COVID 19
Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our students, staff and community safe while COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. With winter approaching, we will also see an increase in respiratory illnesses and by working together, we will keep our school community healthy this term.
Our COVID-smart measures continue to be in place to help reduce the risk of transmission for students and staff members and are vital in allowing us to keep our schools operational while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These measures include:
· Staying home if unwell and test for COVID-19 if showing any symptoms
· Boosted day cleaning of high-touch areas in our schools
· Strongly encouraging masks to be worn by all students, staff and visitors if exposed to COVID-19
· Requiring masks for staff and volunteers who interact with students at greater risk of serious illness if they were to contract COVID-19 – including in SSPs, support units and some mainstream settings
· Strongly encouraging up-to-date vaccinations for our staff and students, including COVID-19 booster shots for anyone eligible
· Maintaining natural ventilation with windows and doors open whenever possible, including when cooling/heating systems are in use
· Continuing to provide RATs and other hygiene products to schools free of charge
In certain circumstances, the department's Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing Case Management team may recommend that additional COVID-smart measures be temporarily reintroduced at our school. We will provide further details of any changes to COVID-smart measures at our school, if and when required.
Please continue to notify our school if your child tests positive to COVID-19 as we will continue to regularly notify the school community of any known positive cases, to prioritise student and staff safety and wellbeing. Although no longer mandatory, NSW Health recommends you register your result with Service NSW; this helps you to access medical support and advice from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines, if eligible.
For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term, refer to Advice for families.
Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional. These symptoms may be related to other illnesses that require treatment and management by a doctor.
For more information on vaccinations refer to Vaccination requirements for school sites or the Australian Governments COVID-19.
Katrina Eyland
Principal
Havenlee School
