Filter Content
Please find the latest information regarding C19 protocols that relate directly to how we are operating in our school. These protocols will be in place as of Wednesday 18 March. The School response team has discussed the Health and Education Departments directives. Below are the protocols that will be put in place.
Who cannot attend school – advice as at 16 March 2020
The Prime Minister has introduced measures placed on international arrivals into Australia. This means a mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirement will be placed on all international arrivals into Australia. This applies to all staff, students, parents/carers, contractors, visitors and volunteers on school sites.
Students or staff who have been tested for COVID-19 should follow the advice of the WA Department of Health and stay away from school whilst awaiting results.
Students or staff also need to self-quarantine if they have been informed by public health authorities that they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. They must isolate themselves for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case.
C19 Kingston Primary School Response Team
Our school currently has a school response team that meet as often as required. Our last meeting was today at 11.15am. The team now has a school closure plan that will be implemented if directed to do so by the WA Chief Medical Officer.
Will our School Close?
If the Department of Health, Chief Medical Officer is made aware of a positive COVID-19 test result in our school, they will temporarily close the school while assessment and tracing of exposure is conducted. In this situation the Principal will communicate the temporary closure of the school with the school community. A thorough school clean will then be carried out to make the school safe for the return of students and staff. While it is acknowledged that this may be a stressful time for the community, it is not uncommon for a school to close. The reason for any school closure will be to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Communication with Parents
Our main form of communication with parents is through our school app and website. We will also send you a text message for urgent matters asking you to check our website. If you have not informed the school of recent mobile number changes, please provide us with the updated information.
School App
Please ensure that you have downloaded our school app and the notifications are switched on. You can download the app from your preferred app store. Search Schoolzine in your app store and follow the instructions. The password required is 5810.
A step by step install guide can be found on the School Website HERE
Local Sensible Social Distances & Food Practices
The school is actively encouraging and demonstrating to students;
cough, sneeze, cover protocols,
hand washing protocols and good personal hygiene practices.
Handshakes, high-fives and similar must be avoided.
Shared food - our shared fruit sessions in early childhood have now ceased and we will no longer allow food cooked from home to be distributed to entire classes etc. This includes cup-cakes.
We still love celebrating birthdays, so individually wrapped confectionary may be an alternative to cup-cakes if you wish (i.e. fredo frog multipack).
Drinking fountains - students will be discouraged from drinking directly from the water fountains. All student must have a water bottle. Water bottles can be refilled from water fountains.
Social Distances and Special Needs Students
Where ever possible social distance requirements will be maintained.
Our kids will still share a desk with another student.
Our students with special needs will still require additional attention which makes social distance protocols very difficult. We will do our best to manage these situations for both staff and students.
Staff Absences
Staff will follow Health Department advice on when they are to stay home.
Student Absences
Please advise the school through the usual channels (app, phone, note) if your child is/will be absent.
Students who are absent due to self-isolation will be recorded as R + Reasonable cause. Absences that have not be explained will be marked U = Unexplained.
If you are advised that your child has come into contact with C19 please advise the Principal immediately
Mass gatherings
School assemblies will not be held until otherwise advised.
Honour certificates will continue to be handed out by admin to each class separately. Parents will be advised by the teacher that the child is receiving an honour certificate.
Our ANZAC Service is now cancelled.
Our swimming lessons next term are under review and we are waiting to consider further advice.
Provision of homework for students who are absent due to isolation or school closure
We are currently coordinating teachers to prepare information to inform parents of the types of activities they can work on with their children at home. This will include but not be limited to; apps, websites, reading materials on line, numeracy materials on line. We will also upload BYOD iPads with relevant home learning apps. The information will be organised into three learning phases - KP1, 2&3, 4-6. This information and links will be placed on the KPS website as soon as it is available.
Recess and lunch times arrangements
There have been minor changes to break time supervision and locations for eating for students in years 1-6 in order to avoid large gatherings. There are no changes to Kindergarten and Pre-Primary Recess and Lunch arrangements.
Recess
Students will remain under the supervision of their class teacher to eat their morning tea. This may be in the classroom or outside their class (veranda or covered areas). Class teachers will dismiss their students at 10.50pm. The recess play session will be from 10.50am – 11.10pm
Lunch
Students will remain under the supervision of their class teacher to eat their lunch. This may be in the classroom or outside their class (veranda or covered areas). Class teachers will dismiss their students at 1.30pm. The lunch play session will be from 1.30pm – 1.55pm
Please contact our school if have any questions related to these protocols. Please keep a close eye on our website and download our app for the latest advice specifically related to our school.
Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
Yours sincerely
Ashley King
Principal