We are so excited that our students are returning in Week 5 but this needs to be done safely. The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is paramount as we return. I wish to reassure and inform our parents and carers of the arrangements we have put in place for a safe and smooth return.

ENSURING EACH PERSON'S SAFETY AT ST JOHN'S AS WE RETURN TO SCHOOL

Social distancing for students in schools has not been mandated by the Government and NSW Health Department however we will continue to encourage all students to maintain safe social distancing whilst on grounds wherever possible.

• There will be a continuation of enhanced cleaning and hygiene supply arrangements at St John’s. Cleaners are on site moving around the school cleaning hard surfaces (door knobs, benches etc) Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal hygiene. Regular washing of hands, disposing of tissues immediately etc.  All will have access to hand sanitizer in the classrooms.
• There are clear guidelines for the students moving around the school reducing bottlenecks and ensuring social distancing is maintained. Signage will be displayed to assist with this.
• Desks have been arranged in classrooms again ensuring social distancing which will enable students to continue with their classroom learning as well as enabling the teacher to move around safely and effectively. 
• Students will, I am sure, be very happy to be back with their friends enjoying active and quiet recreation. Students will be encouraged to maintain social distancing and no contact activities are allowed.
• Students are allowed to play with sporting equipment supplied by the school which will be cleaned after each break time. Students are NOT to bring their own equipment.

CANTEEN

We have organised a system of distributing lunches enabling social distancing. Students have been informed of this in the daily notices. Parents and students are asked to update personal information regarding their year level on the online lunch order site if this has not already been done this year.

COMMUNICATIONS

Whilst the school was engaged in remote learning, staff were emailing parents in addition to phoning home. We hoped that during that unusual time, it would provide information in a timely manner. Now we have returned to regular face to face teaching, we will resume our regular policy of parent communication which is predominantly by phone contact. Parents are encouraged to phone the school to request a conversation and the relevant staff member will return your call within 24 hours. Teachers will also phone parents if they feel a conversation is required. Our teachers will not respond via email to parents as we do believe a conversation is a more effective way of communicating.

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

Our live-streamed whole school assemblies have been very popular during our remote learning time. We will continue these into the near future as we see these as an important opportunity for our community to connect.

SAFE DROP OFF AND PICK UP 

We are aware that there may be additional traffic when students return to school in Week 5. Please read the following new arrangements to ensure the safety of all students is assured.

Morning Arrival:

• The drop off area is available in the morning with the bollard being removed to allow access. 
• Drivers are reminded that there can be pedestrians walking through this area so please proceed with caution. 
• Year 11 and 12 student drivers are asked to access street parking to enable easier access to the netball courts for the parents in the afternoon. Reminders will be in the daily notices.

Afternoon: 

• There is no pick up from the morning drop off area in the staff car park. In fact no parent car is to come into the staff car park for a pick up. The exception to this is the assisted transport vehicles.
• Parents are asked to collect students from the netball courts. 
• We are allowing our Year 12 drivers to leave the school grounds 5 minutes earlier which should enable a freeing up of traffic in the area. 
• I encourage you to hold back and not arrive expecting to pick up students on the bell. It may be better to collect 5 - 15 minutes later. It may also be easier to arrange to collect students in the side streets nearby. 
• Bus bay: we have spaced out our bus lines to ensure social distancing. This has been in place since last term pre-remote so students are aware of this approach.

Most importantly, I ask that all drivers consider the safety of others. If there is a larger volume of traffic, there will be longer waiting times to leave the grounds.  Our staff will assist the students to exit the grounds safely and with care. Please exercise patience and courtesy for all you encounter.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School photos have been postponed until Term 3. Date to be advised.

FOUNDATION DAY

We have postponed the celebration of Foundation Day. We will resume planning in the current weeks for an alternate experience.