Following the announcement of our Prime Minister today, and in light of the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer, as of Monday, 16 March, we will increase our precautionary measures in relation to COVID-19. We will continue to act on advice from NSW Health and other government authorities, responding in a proactive and appropriate manner with the health and safety of our School community at the heart of our decisions.
We have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at NGS currently. One Year 6 teacher has come into contact with a confirmed case and is in self isolation and the School is following advice of NSW Health in this matter. The teacher is currently asymptomatic. We will act on the advice of NSW Health as we become aware of any staff member or student who comes into contact with the virus.
The advice for schools continues to be that it is safe to continue operations, with increased hygiene and social distancing interventions implemented to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of infection to students, staff and the community. Furthermore, medical evidence continues to say that the risk of serious illness to children under 10 is very low. Over 10 there is an increased risk, however parents should not be overly alarmed. By far the greatest risk is to people over the age of 60 with a further risk for those over 80 years. We need to take precautions in schools to ensure our efforts help the most vulnerable in our society. This is consistent with our School’s values.
Our COVID-19 Response Team and the Executive have been meeting regularly to review the situation and put in place plans to respond to the rapidly evolving situation. We wanted to update you on these interventions after our meeting today:
Hygiene and Social Distancing Measures:
Teaching and Learning
Lessons will continue as normal.
We acknowledge and respect that some parents will make the decision to keep their children home at this time. Work will be provided for students who are absent during this time through our online learning platform – SchoolBox.
The Learning Centre and Homework Club – Hill Campus
OOSH
Excursions & School-Based Events
Co-Curricular Activities
Sporting Events
Future Plans
Reducing the Spread of Infection
To help reduce the risk of infection within our School community, we ask for your support and assistance with the following:
Please continue to direct questions, concerns or travel notifications to Mr. Daniel Wearne at daniel.wearne@ngs.nsw.edu.au for primary students or Mr. Alan Parsons at alan.parsons@ngs.nsw.edu.au for secondary students.
The School will continue to update you as is necessary.
We recognise the impact that this unprecedented situation is having on families. This can have a significant affect on the health and wellbeing of young people. We encourage you to have appropriate conversations with your children about the pandemic, but also to continue to engage them in other activities. The School offers professional counselling services for our students. Please contact Mr Wearne or Mr Parsons if you would like further information about this. It is important that we as adults model resilience and positive coping strategies at times like this, reassuring our children and young people that we can and will endure something of this magnitude, particularly if we draw on our strengths and come together as a supportive community.