31 Jan 2022
2022 Principal’s Update - Week 1, Term 1
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back to the 2022 school year. I hope you had a safe and refreshing school holiday break and that you were able to enjoy some time with family and friends. All staff at Blacktown South are excited to welcome our students back to school.
Blacktown South Public School’s – ‘2022 COVID-smart plan to start the school year’
Years 1 to 6 students start tomorrow – Tuesday 1st February.
Kindergarten students start next Monday – 7th February.
Kindergarten Best Start assessments are being held during this week Tuesday 1st to Friday 4th.
Protocols for Returning Students
Rapid Antigen Test
Thank you to the many families that have picked up their RATs from the school hall over Friday 28th, Saturday 29th or today, Monday 31st January.
Families are encouraged to test their children twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Do not send your child to school if they test positive. Please report a positive test to NSW Health and inform the school.
Masks
Masks are required to be worn on school site by staff indoors. It is strongly recommended, but not mandatory, for students to wear masks indoors.
I encourage parents and caregivers to send a mask with your child to school. Please ensure the mask is labelled.
Hygiene and Hand Sanitisation
Students will be directed to wash and sanitise hands regularly during the day- especially before eating and after play times.
Adults on School Site
Parents and Caregivers will not be permitted to enter the school site with the exception of-
- The Designated Drop Off and Collection Zones (see map below).
- Parents and Caregivers who have very important business not able to be managed over the phone or via email may be permitted to make an appointment to meet with school personnel.
- Parents of newly enrolled students – day one only.
- Families with children attending Before and After School Care are permitted to deliver and pick their children up from the Children’s Activity Centre.
- Kindergarten Parents – for Best Start and Kindergarten students’ first week at school only.
Cohorting of Students
Blacktown South Public School will continue similar cohorting arrangements for students as per our 2021 arrangements. Students will be cohorted in Grade groups.
- Staggered Recesses and Lunch Times
- Canteen
Parents will not be permitted to visit the school canteen. Recess and Lunch Orders may be made online or students only, may drop orders at the canteen.
Staggered Arrival and Departure of Students – starting tomorrow Tuesday 1st February
- We encourage families where possible to arrange a suitable place outside the school grounds to drop their children in the morning and to pick them up in the afternoon.
Student Arrival
- All gates, except Flushcombe Road Gate, will remain locked until 8.55am. Students who arrive earlier than 8.55am will need to be dropped at the Flushcombe Rd School entrance.
At 8.55am School Executive will unlock gates allowing students onto the school grounds.
Students will then proceed to line up at their classrooms. There will be no play time before school.
Parents may drop students at the gate or proceed to School Drop Off Areas – the School Oval or Front Grass.
- Parents will not be permitted to go beyond these points.
Staggered Departure of Students
School Executive will unlock all gates by 2.55pm to allow parents and caregivers access to the three Designated Students Collection Areas- School Oval – for Joseph and Benaud St Gates, Driveway – for Valda St Gate & Front Grass for Flushcombe St Gate.
- Parents will not be permitted go beyond these points.
3.00pm – First Cohort Departs
- At 3.00pm Years 1 and Year 2 students and their older siblings will be dismissed.
- Year 1 students will be escorted by grade teachers to the designated collection or departure points.
- Year 2 and older siblings will make their own ways to the designated departure/collection points.
3.15pm – Second Cohort Depart
- The remainder Year 3 -6 students will be dismissed.
- Students make their own ways to the designated departure/collection points.
Working Together to Stay Safe
I would thank our school families in advance for your patience and cooperation with adhering to the continuation of these Department of Education and Department of Health school protocols.
Please stay safe
Andrew Bowmer
Principal
To see further details, please follow to the Full Update