Throughout last year’s lock down and our most recent one, the advice provided to schools was to keep water fountains turned off. Throughout Stage 4 lock down restrictions here in Western Australia, it has continued to be a recommendation, however, not a directive.
Here at St Dominic’s, we have up until now, continued to keep our water fountains off and to offer students a variety of alternative options to ensure they always have access to water throughout the day. Staff have been extremely vigilant around ensuring that students are reminded to stay hydrated and have access to water when required.
After a review this week by the Leadership Team and with several weeks now passing since our most recent lock down, the decision has been made to turn our water fountains back on. This decision was shared with staff yesterday and, as is common practise here at St Dominic’s, the water fountains will be flushed prior to their first use by students. Although they will be turned on and available for normal use, staff will continue to encourage students to bring their own water bottles to school each day and to use the water fountains to refill their bottles rather than drinking directly from them.
Staff will continue to remind students to have their water bottles with them during class time, to take them out to recess and lunch each day, and to sports lessons. They will also continue to remind students during the hotter months of the year about staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, choosing lower impact activities and staying in the shade when and where possible. On extreme weather days, we will follow our ‘Extreme Weather Procedure’, which sees our students playing in air-conditioned spaces during recess and lunch.
Thank you for your understanding and support of all COVID-19 restrictions put in place over the past twelve months. All decisions have and will continue to put our communities health and well being first.
Leon Bolding
Principal