COVID 19/Corona Virus

As a school, we frequently remind and ask that our staff, students and families are always vigilant with good hygiene practices. Whilst there has been increased media attention around COVID 19, good hygiene practices are just as important as they have ever been to prevent the spread of any virus/illness that can find their way in to school communities ie chickenpox, hand foot & mouth and gastroenteritis. I have spoken with the Director of School Health Nurse Programs today and she confirmed that there have been no cases on the North West Coast of Tasmania and schools are asked to undertake their normal activities as they would expect to.

Please know that if this situation changes, that we will use our normal communication methods to inform our school community.

We are receiving regular advice from the Tasmanian Department of Health about the coronavirus and implications for our sites (schools, libraries, child and family centres and other offices).

In accordance with current national advice, the following people should self-isolate and remain their homes for 14 days:

• Those who have been told by Public Health to stay in home isolation;
• Those who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus;
• Those have left or transited through mainland China (not including Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan) or Iran in the last 14 days;
• Those who have left any other country in the past 14 days for which the Australian Government recommends home isolation (this list of countries may change – check the Department of Health website for latest advice)

The Australian Department of Health has advised that the virus does still NOT pose a threat to the Australian community. Evidence also suggests that most people infected get better over a week or two, and it seems children usually only get mild illness, like a bad cold.

More information about coronavirus is available on the Tasmanian Public Health website.

Reporting

In the coming weeks, teachers will be providing an opportunity for parents to receive an update on their child’s progress. Prep to grade 6 students will receive a ‘Primary Progress Report’. Parents of grade 7-12 students will receive a 'Secondary Progress Report' and be invited to come in for 3 way conferences (parent/student/teacher interviews). We have been trialling different structures to connect with parents earlier in the year. This year Prep-6 teachers won’t be making phone calls, and have instead opened their classrooms up today for an extended period for parents and guardians. Whilst these are just two of the formal structures we have in place, we encourage families to continue to engage with us throughout the school year.

Health & PE – what a busy start!

I’d like to acknowledge the time, effort and energy that has gone in to a number of events over the first 5 weeks. Often many of us are unaware of the depth of planning, preparation and risk assessments that go in to providing exciting and engaging events for our students. Early childhood swimming, primary athletics, secondary surf carnivals x 2, North West Primary School Sports Association Athletics, North West High School Sports Association swimming, inducting new students for our Cert II in Sport & Recreation and a new group of Athlete Development students, as well as trying to establish school teams for cricket, netta and netball. I feel fortunate to have a passionate and innovative HPE team with a diverse range of skills that aren’t satisfied ‘just doing things the way they’ve always been done’.

Staff Leave

I will be taking 5 days of Long Service Leave from Tuesday of next week. During this time, Mr Davis and Mr Perry will share the acting principalship responsibilities.

Mr Robert Maywald is currently on some scheduled leave and is looking forward to returning soon. I’d like to thank Mr Phil Bloomfield for continuing Mr Maywald’s classes and programs in his absence.

Mat Grining

Principal