GPCC Return to School Plan Term 2 2020

2019 ANNUAL REPORT | MESSAGES FROM KEY SCHOOL BODIES WWW.GPCC.NSW.EDU.AU

Green Point Christian College Return to School Plan Revision for Second Half of Term 2, 2020 _________ GPCC has the following plan for the on-going operation of the College now that most students are back in school. We continue to ground our decisions in certain principles and to take into account official medical and social regulations and advice coming from the NSW and Australian Governments.

Our Pandemic Response Plan now sees us at Level 4 as we begin to return to normal (see GPCC website for the PRP). We acknowledge that a return to a post-pandemic situation will require as much careful handling as the phases we went through when entering the pandemic.

Principles: 1. “The health advice consistently provided by AHPPC is that attendance at a school campus for education represents a very low risk to students.” (CSA guidance April 2020, AAHPPC 25 April) 2. “Our schools must be healthy and safe environments for students and staff” (CSA guidance April 2020) 3. “All students must be supported by their school to ensure participation in quality education during the COVID-19 crisis.” (CSA guidance April 2020) 4. “Education staff who identify as high risk, vulnerable or are caring for vulnerable family members, must be supported to work from home.” (National Cabinet Statement) 5. Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan has made it clear that “… there is no expectation for schools to provide two different modes of education delivery. An on-line learning approach at home and on campus is acceptable.” This has been upheld by the NSW Premier, a number of times.

6. “Schools will remain open for students who need them, and no child will be turned away from school.” (Premier’s media release 1 April 2020) 7. GPCC has developed a sound approach to home learning that can be delivered to students at home or at school, should we need to revert back to home learning due to a spike in COVID-19 infections.

8. Both Federal and State Governments want all students back at school. NSW public school students returned to school on Monday 25 May. 9. Independent schools are not required to comply with public school regulations; however, we watch them closely and only deviate from them for valid reasons.

10. Parents should make the call about when they are comfortable for their child to return to school.

2 Plan: A. Students were able to return to school from Wednesday 29 April 2020.

B. With a small number of students still remaining at home, from 25 May, we will discontinue using the home learning platform at school except for Years 11/12 students and in some other cases for Secondary classes. We are ensuring that at home, students continue to receive instruction and are not disadvantaged.

C. Any teachers who are at risk themselves, will continue to work from home until cleared to return to work.

D. All children, except those who have notified us of continuing absence, are now back at school or are being marked as absent.

E. We continue increased cleaning of classrooms and other surfaces students are in regular contact with and will provide hand sanitiser in all Primary classrooms and other high traffic accessible areas around the Secondary School blocks. Soap is available in all toilet blocks.

F. We will re-enforce social distancing for adults in particular, as they remain at a higher risk level than students. Social distancing is not as vital for students so numbers of students in classrooms will only be limited to the normal classroom capacity.

G. We will not hold large group gatherings such as Year assemblies, Chapel, staff meetings, or devotions until such time as the Government relaxes social isolation rules in these areas. This is particularly to keep larger numbers of adults from gathering together.

H. The Canteen and Uniform shops are open for business full time, with some restrictions.

I. We continue to communicate regularly with families via email and our social media sites to ensure everyone is well informed.

J. These measures will be adjusted as the Government relaxes or tightens social distancing and other requirements.

K. Sport and other Co-curricular Activities: a. Until larger group gatherings are permitted by the Government, we will not re-start sports practices. b. PE classes and lunchtime play are continuing. c. Band, choir etc will start in line with sports practices. d. The College Executive are reviewing these restrictions each week.

Due to the constantly changing nature of this pandemic situation, this plan will be subject to modification as and when required.

Phillip Nash Principal