Guidelines on COVIDSafe measures during the return to school

Naranga school has begun the gradual return of students to school. We are so excited to welcome all of the students back to on site learning. To support our school community in a safe return to school, there are processes which we will follow to minimise risk. 

Entering the School

Restrictions will remain for access to the school site to anyone other than immediate school staff and students. Parents are not to enter the school yard.  If you have a need to contact staff or the office, please use the intercom at the front office.  School assemblies will continue to be online. Parents are encouraged to contact the school by phone or email before coming to school in person.

School drop-off in the morning

Parents who bring their children to school are asked not to enter the school playground.  Please say your goodbyes at the gate next to the main entrance to the office.  Please also minimise your time on site and practice social distancing. Close proximity between adult members of the school community should be avoided.

School pick-up on Alexander Crescent in the afternoon

For students who do not take the school bus, a staggered dismissal time will help us avoid a large gathering of families at the back gate of the school. This will take effect from November 5th when all students return to on-site learning.

• Lower Junior School students being picked up by parents will be dismissed at 2:45 and will be escorted to the back gate to meet parents.
• Upper Junior and Senior School students being picked up by parents and those who travel independently will be dismissed at 3:00pm and will be escorted to the back gate to meet parents.

I ask that you arrive no more than five minutes before your child’s dismissal time. This will minimize any gatherings of parents and make more parking available on Alexander Crescent. 

Students who take the school bus

No changes will be made for students who travel by the school bus.

Drink bottles please

Students attending school will need to bring their own water bottles as the drinking fountains will not be available. Students will be able to refill their bottles from school taps.

Good hygiene practices

Students will continue to use hand sanitiser when they enter their classes or specialist lessons, prior to and after recess and lunch. Shared resources will continue to be used if essential to student programs. Use of shared resources will be supported by the use of hand sanitiser.

Students may use their own sanitisers, otherwise Naranga will provide hand sanitising liquid in all rooms of the school. Portable bottles are available to all staff and students. A number of fixed hand sanitiser units have also been installed at key locations of the school. 

Use of facemasks by students

Use of facemasks by students in grade 3 and above is mandatory.  Students in grades 3-6 may remove facemasks when outdoors.  Facemasks are strongly recommended for Prep to grade 2 students.  Students with a medical condition that prevents mask use will not be required to wear a mask.  Exceptions to face mask use include a physical or mental disability where their disability means it would be unsuitable.  For students in grades 3-6 who meet the criteria for an exception, parents/carers must provide their approval in writing for their children to not wear a mask to school. 

Management of unwell students

It is important that any unwell students remain at home. Should your child become unwell at school, and experience symptoms consistent with coronavirus, such as fever, cough or sore throat, they will be supervised while parents are contacted to collect their child as soon as possible.

Meeting with teachers or school business

To support social distancing and school access requirements I ask where possible that office-related business be conducted via phone or email. Where it is necessary to attend the main office, I ask that you adhere to the guidelines previously mentioned.

Should you need to meet with your child’s teacher, I ask that you contact them via telephone or email first. The school community’s capabilities to meet via Webex and Google Meet make it possible to speak face-to-face with digital technology if necessary as we have in the past.

I understand that some families may feel anxious about his move back to classroom teaching and learning. I can assure you that this decision has been taken on the basis of the best health advice available to our state. Further information is available to families via the Department of Education and Training website: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/coronavirus-advice-parents.aspx

The conditions outlined in this letter will be in place until further notice. The conditions will be reviewed periodically or to coincide with the release of further advice from DET or the Chief Health Officer.

Thank you for your support and understanding.  I am looking forward to seeing students as they begin the return to school.

Kai Pukarinen

Principal