20/08/2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Over recent weeks we have been working with the advice from the Department of Education regarding a full return to school. Our priority is the safe return to school for all our students and staff. Parents, students, and teachers have been assisting us with designing and implementing the guidelines in our school. Our detailed Covid-19 Response Plan and Covid-19 Policy Statement are attached. Below are key updates which will help you with your back-to-school planning at home.
The plans we are putting in place are designed to allow a full return to school for everyone so we can become fully immersed in our learning again as well as enjoy the experience of being back in our school community with friends.
Please note: all plans are subject to any change issuing from the Department of Education and the health authorities.
Safe return for everyone:
Stay at home if you are unwell or if anyone in your household shows any of the Covid-19 symptoms Complete 14 days self-isolation if you have been in a country that is not an exempted green list country.
Complete 14 days self-isolation if someone in your household is unable to completely self-isolate at home after having been in a country that is not an exempted green list country.
Arriving in school:
We are encouraging walking/cycling to school as much as possible.
For those arriving by car, parents are encouraged to drop their daughters off safely at the path on the main road to avoid congestion.
Those arriving by school bus are receiving information about how to travel by bus safely.
As students arrive at school they will be directed to their designated classroom.
Given our space and student numbers, we do not need to stagger the school start and end times.
When in school:
We have introduced a one-way system for entry/exit of the school building and a one-way system for circulating the building safely.
Floor stickers/wall stickers posters will help direct students, teachers and staff around the building. Classroom layouts have been adapted to allow at least 1 metre to be maintained between desks or between individual students or staff.
We will encourage students to be outdoors whenever possible for breaks. `
Assembly:
Morning assemblies will take place each day in the designated classroom at 08:50am.
Moving between classes:
Students should move quickly from class to class and avoid gathering in groups or blocking the corridors.
Keeping your space and equipment clean:
The girls will be asked to wipe down desks, chairs and any shared equipment at the end of each class.
Canteen/microwaves:
Students will bring their own food and drinks to school, including cutlery when required.
The water fountains will not be operational.
For health and safety reasons there will be no microwaves available in school.
The canteen will not open in the first weeks of term as we analyse the feasibility of whether in practice it can be re-opened safely with all protocols, especially social distancing.
Sports gear: Students may wear their sports gear in school on the day they have PE. Gym showers will not be in use.
Know the Symptoms of COVID-19:
To prevent the spread of Covid-19 it is important to know and recognize the symptoms:
• High temperature
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties • Loss of smell or taste or distortion of taste
Frequency of Hand Hygiene:
Students and staff must perform hand hygiene:
• On arrival at school
• Before eating or drinking
• After using the toilet
• After petting animals
• After playing outdoors
• When their hands are physically dirty • When they cough or sneeze.
Respiratory Hygiene:
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and safely into a nearby bin.
Face coverings:
In line with Government and public health advice, students and staff are required to wear face coverings. Other than in exceptional circumstances, no student will be allowed to attend school without a face covering. Please be familiar with public health advice on how to wear masks safely.
Each student should have a pack containing:
• clean mask each day • tissues
• hand sanitizer
• disinfectant wipes.
• packed lunch and break
Each student will keep their own space and their own belongings clean. Do not share your belongings. Disinfect your classroom desk before and after use.
Before your daughters come back to school they must:
Fill out the Self Declaration Form and submit it three days before they are due back to school. This link will be sent closer to the return to school date.
Induction:
As you know, most year groups will have their initial Induction online to assist the girls in becoming familiar with what to expect when they are back in school. The first day back in school will be focused on having time to enjoy being back with classmates and to allow
students familiarize themselves with new school layouts.
All the new procedures will be explained to students and they will be reminded of the required behavior on an ongoing basis.
An enhanced cleaning plan is in place in line with recommended guidelines.
Lockers:
Our intention is to continue having the lockers available to students. As usual, we will stagger the lockers across year groups, which will facilitate social distancing. Students will be required to respect the 1m minimum social distancing requirement (while wearing a face covering)
when other students are accessing their lockers.
The availability of lockers will be subject to ongoing review
Parents:
To reduce physical contact, parents may not come into the school buildings. Forgotten items should be dropped inside the main entrance lobby, without entering the main building.
In the event of a student presenting with any Covid-19 symptoms while in school, parents are required to be available to collect their daughter. The school will follow established protocols for schools from the health authorities in this instance.
We are really looking forward to having the girls back in school and we are working hard to ensure that it is a very positive experience for them.
We appreciate your support in these unprecedented times.
Next week, there will be further communication as we step towards the full return to school.
Kind regards,
Janet Dean
Principal
