Narromine $2.00 incl GST
PROUDLY SERVING THE NARROMINE, TRANGIE AND TOMINGLEY REGION
Thursday, February 3, 2022
HOME DELIVERY AVAILABLE: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL NEWSAGENT FOR DETAILS
Community remembers brother-priest
‘CARS AND COFFEE’ Local named A HIT WITH LOCALS Brumbies STORY, PHOTOS: PAGE 9 rugby captain SPORT
Back to school for good, premier promises By BROOKE CHANDLER Kindergartener Grace Gibson, 5, and mum Tara Gibson about to enter the Narromine Christian School on January 31. PHOTO: NARROMINE STAR
First day feels By SHARON BONTHUYS MONDAY is not everyone’s favourite day of the week but it certainly was at the Narromine Christian School this week as classes resumed for the new school year. Excited chatter could be heard as students made their way into the school grounds on Monday, January 31, 2022. Lottie Lyons and Grace Gibson, both aged five, were excited but nervous about joining the kindergarten cohort at the school. They looked very smart in their blue uniforms, accompanied to school by their parents. “I think I’m more nervous than Grace,” mum Tara Gibson said, indicating she would deal with fi rst-day nerves by heading off to work and her supportive colleagues. Parent Louise Ryrie said her three children in year four, year two and kindergarten were also excited to be coming to school. She said the family had prepared for the school year in line with COVID recommendations. “We did our RAT [rapid antigen tests] at home. We’ve also been social distancing, using hand sanitiser etc,” she said.
THIS month may be off to an anxious start for students as they return to school. Although over the weekend NSW recorded its deadliest day with 52 COVID-19 related deaths, NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has assured an undisrupted school year. Released last week, the NSW back-to-school plan aims to “minimise the risk of the virus and allow teachers and pupils to return... under COVID-smart settings”. “As part of the news measures, every student and teacher in NSW government and non-government schools will be able to receive rapid antigen tests (RAT) kits before school returns on February 1.” Education and early learning minister Sarah Mitchell said more than six million RATs were delivered to 3000 schools before the January 26 public holiday. Denise Toohey, principal of Narromine Public School, said they experienced no upset during the delivery of their RATs. “We have been incredibly supported by the department of education”, Ms Toohey told the Narromine Star. “The guidelines they have provided have been a great scaffold for us to personalise.” The staff from Narromine Public School decided on the contactless distribution of RATs to student parents. “Last week, families with last
Narromine Public School staff spent Friday distributing rapid antigen tests to families. PHOTO: CLARE GILL. names starting from the letters A-K picked up their tests from the bus gate, while those starting from L-Z got there’s from the ‘kiss and drop’ zone,” Ms Toohey explained. “We made no changes to the use of the RATs though. Students are to take the test two times a week, before the start of the school day, for a four week period.” Limiting interactions between year groups was an-
other guideline provided in the NSW COVID-Smart Plan. “We have changed this from our previous COVID ventures,” Ms Toohey said. “Instead of cohorting in their stage groups, students will stick to those in the same building.” While the students fi rst and second lunch breaks will follow at staggered intervals, this strategy will ensure an easier use of the playground.
Mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students will remain, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools. Ms Toohey happily shared the schools COVID positive procedures. “I believe it is important to keep not only the staff, students and families up-to-date with what is happening, but the community as well. “If there is a positive case, a note will be sent home to the corresponding building bubble. The child’s learning will continue just as if they were at school with access to Learning Grids and Google Classroom.” All staff and visitors present at Narromine Public School are double vaccinated and are in the midst of receiving their booster shot. “These guidelines will help staff, students and their families predict how the start of the school term will roll out.” Alleviating any stress in our school community has also been the focus of St Augustine’s Parish School principal, Renee Matheson. “The NSW school calendar has been more forgiving than QLD and at St Augustine’s Parish we are extremely lucky that we have introduced “HEAT WEEK” in 2021. This has allowed our school to have more time to digest and prepare for 2022.” At the same time, St Augustine’s staff will undergo literacy development training. Continued page 3
ORDER FUEL 24/7 OVER HARVEST CALL DREW 0437 045 056 OR HARRY 0498 747 371
Servicing Narromine and the Central West More than just fuel. HARVEST OIL SPECIALS UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER