COVID update

Masks

This week, the NSW Government issued a request to the general public, strongly encouraging greater use of masks in high-risk public settings to help prevent the spread of COVID 19. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant specifically recommended wearing face masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, such as public transport.

I would ask all parents to please consider this advice, and suggest strongly to students who catch public transport, to purchase and wear a mask on their way to and from school. Students on school buses may also wish to consider this recommendation, but given they are seated together in classrooms, it is not as necessary at this stage.

On arrival at school, all students should wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer. There are many stations around the College including;

Hand sanitizers in hallways, the ARC, common rooms

Outdoor hand basins with soap dispenser

Outdoor hand sanitiser – College main entrance

All classrooms have hand sanitiser, alcohol wipes and alcohol spray

Hot-Spots

COVID isolation breaches are constantly being reported in the media, and unfortunately these breaches are leading to new and developing Hot-Spots. I would ask all families to be vigilant, especially if you are travelling for a weekend away.

Although it is against the Education Act, some families continue to travel during term time. If you are planning to do this, could I please ask you to complete a Student Absence form and specify your travel destination. In caring for our community, we are monitoring travel outside of Sydney, and would ask that if families find themselves in a Hot-Spot, they follow NSW Health advise to be tested and self-isolate, if requested to do so.

COVID Hot-Spots can be tracked through the NSW Government website – click HERE.

Student Absence forms are located on ATLAS – Forms – Student Forms, click HERE.

Channel 9, A Current Affair – Vaping story “Nicotine Nasties”

As we have written before, and many other schools have discovered, Vaping is increasing in popularity, especially amongst our curious youth. Its high popularity led to a recent A Current Affair report, aimed at making parents aware of the trend and how difficult it may be to identify. As you can see from the image below, the Vapes can be easily mistaken for USB sticks.

A worrying statistic reported by A Current Affair which may not be known to young people, is that one pod equates to 2 ½ packets of cigarettes and some boys may be vaping one or two pods a week.

If you missed the article and would like to watch it, please click HERE. You may also encourage your son to view it.

Kate Earle
Deputy Principal - Students