COVID-19 Update 2.00pm 18/3/20
As you would be aware, the situation around COVID-19 continues to unfold on a daily basis. As the situation evolves we are monitoring and reviewing our school operations and events to ensure we are working in line with the most up to date advice received from Department of Education.
I would like to assure you that the safety of all our students, our staff and the community remains our top priority. Department of Education will continue to work closely with Queensland Health and all other government agencies to ensure the welfare of our school communities and to provide you with advice and information as the situation continues to change.
Queensland Health is leading the response to COVID-19 in Queensland. They should always be your first port of call for accurate, up to date information. I would encourage you to become familiar with the COVID -19 health updates available on the Queensland Health website.
On Sunday 15 March, the Prime Minister made a number of announcements regarding increased national measures to support the response to COVID-19. The purpose of these changes is to slow the spread of virus in our communities and reduce the impact of this outbreak on our health service.
Hygiene precautions at James Nash
As a precaution, we have increased the hours of our school cleaning staff.
Cleaners will now be present throughout the school day, as well as before and after school as per usual.
Day-time cleaning will focus on amenities check before school, after Care Class, after morning tea and before lunch. Cleaners will continually sanitise basins and cubicles, check toilet rolls and soap dispensers (as well as the functioning of soap dispensers for any breakages). Hand rails, door handles, and un-unused classroom desks will be continually sanitised.
Un-occupied rooms will be cleaned on an as-needed basis.
Hygiene and cleanliness continues to be a priority for our school grounds.
All school assemblies (Junior, Senior and Year Level Assemblies) have now been cancelled in line with the Government's recommendations.
Exam block
The Year 10, 11 & 12 Mini Exam block is scheduled to go ahead as planned from next Monday 23/3/20 until Friday 3/4/30 unless otherwise notified by the school.
Students are expected to attend their exams unless a medical certificate can be provided.
Online resources
Curriculum resources, including year and subject specific tasks and activities are available for students to complete away from school at their own pace.
A Teacher-directed eLearn (Blackboard) course is available that contains Curriculum into the Classroom Independent Learning Materials and supporting resources from Prep to Year 10 in English, Mathematics, Science and HASS (History and Geography).
Two-week units of work, for Prep to Year 10 across English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Design and Technologies and the HASS subjects of History and Geography. These are available in both downloadable and print formats.
Excursions
All excursion planned for this term are now postponed or cancelled. Excursions planned for the first five weeks of Term 2 will be reviewed in the next two weeks and across the Easter break.
All representative school sport cancelled until further notice
All representative school sport programs, including district, regional, state, national, interstate and international competitions, are cancelled until further notice from 17 March 2020.
In addition, Queensland School Sport teams will not be participating in any national, interstate or international events organised across Australia or internationally.
This decision to cancel has been taken in line with the Australian Government directive to minimise non-essential gatherings in order to reduce exposure risks associated with COVID-19.
The department will continue to provide ongoing communication as Australia's response to COVID-19 evolves. For latest updates, visit the Education website.
International Travel
The Federal government has imposed a self-isolation requirement on all international arrivals, regardless of whether you are an Australian citizen or otherwise. If you have returned from overseas from midnight 15 March onwards, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Australia. Queensland Health provides clear guidelines on what self-isolation means on the Department of Health website. This self-isolation can be enforced under the Public Health Act.
Social Distancing
The Federal government has also implemented measures to restrict mass gatherings of more than 500 people. You may have already noticed changes to some of our school activities such as assemblies, sports days and other incursions and excursions. These measures are our proactive response to advice from Queensland Health. It is important that you continue to send your child to school. Schools are doing a great job of promoting health and hygiene with students and staff and will continue to play an important part in ensuring the continuity of our public services. However, If your child becomes unwell or shows flu-like symptoms, please keep them home and don't expose others to illness.
During these unprecedented times, we are continuing to remain focused on delivering a high quality education to your children and working to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our community members.
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA)
We have received advice that the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) on Friday 20 March 2020 is postponed.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused, however this decision has been made with the health and safety of students, staff and the community as the priority.
The new date for the NDA 2020 will be announced as soon as possible. We'll keep you updated with our school's future NDA plans.
Thank you for your continued support to say Bullying. No Way! every day of the year.
Jackson Dodd
Principal
James Nash SHS