Further to the previous COVID-19 update, dated March 16, 2020, the official advice we have received states that:

• Schools and Early Learning Centres will remain open and respond to local issues as required and on the advice of health authorities.
• All citizens are asked to practice ‘social distancing’ of 1.5 m2 up to 4m2 for indoor nonessential gatherings of up to 100 people. Please note schools are considered essential gatherings and we recognise this is a complicated request in a school setting particularly with students of younger ages;
• All NAPLAN testing, including the NAPLAN practice window, for 2020 has been cancelled by Education Ministers today.

The College continues to communicate with parents of our most vulnerable children to work through strategies to ensure extra precautions are taken to keep them safe. Vulnerable children include those who have moderate to severe respiratory illness, auto-immune deficiencies and other illnesses which would expose them to greater risk due to the virus. Please ensure that any
significant updates regarding your child’s/children’s health (especially in relation to these areas) are communicated to our First Aid staff. We appreciate numbers of families are choosing to selfisolate and we fully support this measure (home learning resources are being distributed as required).

Usual hygiene practices to remind your children:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick or have symptoms.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue in the bin.

If your child is unwell or has flu like symptoms, please keep them at home and consult with your relevant health care professionals. If you or your children have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or are being tested for the virus, please ensure
you communicate this with the College.

As we continue to manage and deal with this unfolding pandemic I would respectfully ask all parents to continue to exhibit patience and self-control in our College carpark, with particular reference to our ‘2-minute drop and go’ zone. When we all do the right thing, it makes our carpark safe and functional for our entire Calvary Community.

I would ask that you continue to pray for the many who have been adversely affected, or will be in the coming days, and continue to pray for protection over our College community especially our most vulnerable.

Yours sincerely 

Steve Downes College Principal