COVID-19 

COVID-19 KMS Communications 27.07.21 (003)

Dear Families,

As announced by the Premier, Hon Stephen Marshall yesterday, I am pleased we will welcome all students back to school tomorrow, Wednesday 28th July, from 8:30am with important new restrictions in place. Please read below.

Teaching will move to face to face from Wednesday morning and online learning will cease, however, students who are under quarantine or isolation restrictions will be able to keep up to date using Daymap (7-12 students) and via Class Dojo (R-6 students). If you are in this situation where your child is unable to be at school on Wednesday due to COVID-19 SA Health directives, please contact the Front Office on 8821 0100 to inform them of your child’s absence.

MASKS directive

SA Health has advised that due to the biological nature of the virus combined with human behaviour, there is a real risk of further COVID-19 transmission in the South Australian community. The New South Wales outbreak also remains a serious and ongoing concern.

A key protection that allows us to return to our normal daily activities while these risks remain is the use of face masks. When the lockdown period ends at 12.01am Wednesday 28^th July 2021 masks will be required in a range of settings including all indoor public areas.

Face masks in schools

Face masks must be worn by:

• students in year 8 and above should carry a mask with them and wear it indoors – and where congregating (ie canteen)
• adults while indoors, except when teaching or engaging with students
• staff in meeting rooms when present with other adults, and not eating and drinking
• on school buses and public transport
• all adult visitors to sites

The following exemptions from face mask use apply:

• primary school students
• any student who attends a disability setting
• staff when teaching or engaging with students
• during PE lessons
• all staff and students when outside
• students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability, or a mental health condition.

In the short term, all off-site events (Knock Out sports, disability swimming at the CCSLC, debating, etc) have been postponed until further notice. Some events/ meetings will be modified and will be outlined in Thursday’s newsletter. We will continue to monitor the SA Health guidelines and provide updates via Facebook, Class Dojo, and Daymap.

There are some requirements and restrictions on site from Wednesday 28^th July:

• Parents and caregivers are not permitted to enter the site, with staff to meet Early Years students and walk them to their classrooms. (Please have a conversation with your child about which gate you will meet at after school)
• If a parent/caregiver does need to attend, they should limit their time on site (adults to wear a mask)
• As per before the lockdown, ALL visitors to QR code check-in
• Students and adults not to come on site if unwell, stay home until recovered (please ring the Front Office if your child is absent due to illness)
• Students to bring their own named water bottle to school. Water bottles can be refilled at school. (We do not have any new donated water bottles from local businesses to offer students)
• Regular hand washing / sanitising at school (sanitiser available in every classroom)

I have been overwhelmed by our school community support and the quick action of families, students, and staff to ensure continuity of learning at home and the safety of all during this seven-day COVID-19 lockdown.

As one of the largest schools outside metropolitan Adelaide, we believe the wearing of masks is a social responsibility to uphold to ensure the ongoing public health safety of our community and I thank you for assisting us with this matter.

The interstate experience is dire and a situation we do not want in South Australia. COVID-19 has changed the way we operate daily but I am confident we will continue to move forward.

Yours sincerely

Alistair Williams, Principal