04/05/2020

Dear Parents and Carers of Mudgeeraba Special School Community,

Following today’s announcement by the Premier, from Monday 11 May, 2020, students in Kindy, Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 will be able to return to their school or kindergarten.

The decision to allow this group of students back to school is in line with the progressive relaxation of measures across the state as part of the Government’s response to COVID-19.

For students in Years 2 to 10, the current home-based learning arrangements will remain in place at this time.

The Premier has also announced that if low COVID-19 transmission rates continue, students in Years 2 – 10 will be able to return to school from Monday 25 May, 2020. Confirmation of this step will be made by 15 May 2020. 

The decision and plan to transition back to school-based learning is supported by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer.

The Director General Tony Cook announced that he is pleased that more students will be able to return to school, and while advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) provides guidance that social distancing is not required for students during classroom activities, it is important that we consider the following curriculum and supervision implications:

• continue to implement clear routines for all students, staff and visitors in relation to health and hygiene;
• support additional flexibility within the school day, recesses, lunch breaks and other key transition times;
• use larger locations, spaces or classrooms and outdoor learning spaces where available;
• improve fresh air circulation in classrooms;
• use virtual platforms for staff meetings;
• cancel any excursions, assemblies, sporting activities and other gatherings.

We will plan this week to examine our delivery for students’ onsite and those continuing with Home Learning in preparation for Week 4. Home Learning will continue for Years 2 – 10 students in Week 4 and 5. Parents and carers remain responsible for their children. This includes ensuring their children continue their learning using the material provided by their teachers.

We will communicate planning for Week 4 during this week.

It is acknowledged that some parents of Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 students may still wish to keep their children home from school due to concerns about COVID-19. In these cases parents and carers remain responsible for their children. This includes ensuring their children stay at home and that they continue their learning using the material and websites that can be accessed through the school and on the Department of Education’s learning@home website.
Parents and carers supervising their children at home are not required to phone the school advising of this. The government has automatically adjusted its attendance recording guidelines and procedures during this 5 week period. We do ask that you contact the school by 9.30 am if your child is sick or at an appointment to maintain accurate absence data on One School.

Attached to this newsletter is a survey for Prep, Year 1, 11 and 12 families to complete regarding your intentions and the school’s Call Centre will follow up surveys not completed on Tuesday to check in regarding your intentions for Week 4 given this government announcement.

I would also like to remind all parents and carers that even if you classify as an essential worker for Week 3 and from Week 4 students who have been approved for attendance, it is critical that your child does not attend school if they show any symptoms of illness. This has been clearly stated by the state government as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID 19.

Sincere thanks again for your ongoing support by adapting to the changes and challenges in front of all of us right now on a daily basis - it certainly is greatly appreciated!

Regards at this unprecedented and changing period,

Colleen Hope

Principal

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-04/coronavirus-queensland-schools-to-reopen/12211006