We have had another wonderful week at St Dominic’s, with the students continuing to settle back into school life well. Unfortunately though, COVID-19 case numbers in Western Australia continue to grow. With these higher case loads the following additional measures will be put in place from Monday, 14th February.
Parents/ Caregiver Access
Families dropping off students late, picking them up early or delivering a forgotten item (i.e. forgotten lunch, hat etc), are to come directly to the school office upon arrival. If dropping off late or collecting a child early, parents/ caregivers are required to complete the online sign in/ sign out form on the iPad located at the front desk. A member of the Administration Team will then either drop the student to their class (sign in) or collect them (sign out) and bring them to you at the front gate. When collecting a child early, a phone call to the office prior to your arrival will also assist with this new arrangements. Forgotten items being dropped off during the day should be brought directly to the front office and a member of the Administration Team will ensure it is passed on to the student. Parents/ Caregivers are to come directly to the front office outside of normal drop off and pick up times and should not proceed into the school without permission.
Sacramental Parent Information Evening
In consultation with Fr Bernard, the previously advertised on site Sacramental Parent Information sessions have been cancelled. Instead, there will be one online Zoom session offered for all families who have a child receiving one of the three sacraments this year at Our Lady of Good Counsel or St Dominic’s School. The online session will be held on Thursday, 24th February at 6:00pm, with further details shared once the Zoom link and password have been created by the facilitators of the meeting, 24:7 Youth.
Year 3 to 6 Swimming Lessons
In line with current guidelines, the Year 3 to 6 swimming lessons will continue as planned. Lesson commence tomorrow and conclude in a fortnights time. Families wishing to attend and watch lessons will need to comply with the current Public Health directives as well as any COVID-19 requirements put in place by the Scarborough Swimming Pool. We also ask that you limit your engagement with your child and the class group during these times. More detailed information regarding the Year 3 to 6 Swimming Lessons can be found in the post linked here.
Before and After School Clubs
Some of our normal before and after school clubs, such as Robotics and Ukulele, will not be commencing at this time. We hope, once case numbers reduce and restrictions are eased, that we can announce the return of these wonderful initiatives run by our dedicated staff members.
Ongoing Requirements
Finally, the below requirements announced last week continue to be in place.
- Parents/ Caregivers are not to enter classrooms
- Parents/ Caregivers are allowed on site at normal drop off and pick up times, to walk children to class or pick them up in the afternoon, however, time on site should be kept to a minimum – the use of the Kiss and Ride driveway is highly encouraged as well as dropping at the front gate and allowing your child/ren to walk to class
- Masks are to be worn indoors and when physical distancing is not possible outdoors – the wearing of masks at all times when on site is highly encouraged
- Parents/ Caregivers must sign in using the SafeWA/ ServiceWA app or via the paper based register located in the main office
- Only small, class-based activities will take place
- Whole school activities have been postponed
- Face to face meetings are online or over the phone
- Staff and collaborative planning meetings are taking place online
- Staff are utilising additional rooms/ spaces for recess/ lunch breaks
These ongoing and additional measures will hopefully continue to minimise the number of staff and students impacted in the event of a positive case.
The online planner continues to be updated regularly and will reflect any further changes to upcoming events.
Please don’t forget that the latest Government information regarding COVID-19 is available through the Healthy WA website: Healthy WA. Below are several COVID-19 testing and isolation protocol flow charts from the WA Government website, that may assist with understanding the current requirements for those who receive a positive test or are deemed by Public Health to be a close contact.
Finally, all information is current as of Sunday, 13th February, however, information is subject to change at short notice. We will endeavour to communicate any changes as quickly as possible.
Leon Bolding
Principal