COVID-19 information

23rd March 2020

Much has come about in a very short time with a STATEMENT FROM THE PREMIER to inform the National Cabinet that Victoria will proceed over the next 48 hours to implement a shutdown of all non-essential activity across our state to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

School holidays will be brought forward in Victoria, starting on Tuesday 24 March. All measures to be implemented by Victoria are consistent with the health advice provided by the Victorian Chief Health Officer.

Students will finish Term 1 at 3.30pm, Monday 23 March.

Teachers and schools will remain working hard to prepare for the possibility that we will need to move at some stage to more flexible learning arrangements, including remote learning and as we stated early today, we will keep you informed of the latest updates. We will be in communication with TheirCare and will await advice as to what is possible. Please stay safe and we are thinking of you all with the best in mind for everyone.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Libby Alessi
Principal

 

20th March 2020

We preface this information by stating that GHPS has NOT been notified of closure and have NO confirmed cases of COVID-19

GHPS undertaking planning if required for home learning continuity for our students

We need to plan for Learning from Home if required.

We need to know: Do you have internet access?

As most learning at home may require the internet, we need to know if you have a limited or weak connection. If the connection is limited or weak, please contact or call the school office so that we can arrange other ways we may provide your child with learning materials, in case of a school closure.

You may also consider using a mobile data connection or contacting your service provider for a temporary economical solution.

We are making the best efforts to adapt programs and information if we need to comply with the recommendations of the Department of Education.

Especially though,  we would like to say a big thankyou to everyone: students, parents and our fantastic teaching, support and office staff at GHPS for supporting each other to be as safe as we all can be. Don’t’ forget to remember Soapy Hero and the important hygiene measures we can all take.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We hope you can all find ways to enjoy the weekend.

Regards

Libby Alessi           Principal

 

Update – 19th March 2020

Dear Parents,

Here is the most recent advice issued by the Minister of Education and Secretary of Department of Education and Training.

Please click the following link explaining why it continues to be safe for our Students, Teachers and Support Staff to be at school.

update 19-03-2020

 

Update – 13th March 2020

Open Communication, Travel Advisories and Continuity of Student Learning

Dear Parents,

In this additional communication today I wish to advise you that the school is preparing our staff, students and families in the event there will be a sudden school closure.

I preface this information by saying we have NOT been notified of a closure.

Travel Advisories

We seek to make a list of travel destinations and make a register of any families intention to travel overseas in the term 1 holidays. Please advise us on Monday 16 March or as soon as possible. Travel bans will be extended to more and more countries so keep abreast of the changes and check smartraveller for updates. Staff or students who travel may need to self-isolate for 14 days on their return from overseas before returning to school/work.

Continuity of Learning

At lunchtime today, Staff attended a briefing to identify ways we assist students to keep learning if we are unable to come to school because of a school closure. If GHPS school closes, teachers will still be working from home, unless they are unwell with an illness. Where possible at your home, Teachers would like all students to use the existing digital learning resources such as:

• Reading Eggs
• Mathletics
• Accessing google classroom where appropriate in certain levels of the school

Workbooks printed by teachers “just incase”- PLEASE only use these in the event the school is closed will be made for students in various levels depending where this best suits what the student can work on. These will be in student’s bags where they have been made ready Handwriting books may be used by some class levels as well.

Reading out loud to parents from your Library book or Home Reading Reader or Novel is always highly recommended.

We are putting together a list of other suitable websites that you may be able to access at home.

Please be reassured that if we have any notifications we will get these to you as quickly as possible and we are taking these actions for our students at GHPS to ensure we are meeting the needs to the best of our capabilities.

Libby Alessi
Principal

 

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First Update – Friday 13 March, 2020

Dear Parents,

I wish to communicate that due to the most recent information provided to me by the Department of Education at 10am this morning, we will take action by way of the following at GHPS to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our students, staff and families and to care for all.

I preface this latest communication by confirming that, at the time of writing, we do NOT have any confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Cancellations

To help lower the risk of exposure we are cancelling:

• Family Fun Night tonight
• Monday Assembly on 16 March and 23 March
• The Easter Hat Parade will not go ahead. We will still draw the raffle, announce winners and give out prizes. Casual dress day will still be a fundraiser for Sandringham PS. Students can wear Easter hats but there will be no parade.
• Hour of Power Working Bee Friday 20 March

Reschedules

We will reschedule the following:

• Rhythms of the World Drumming incursion on Thursday 26 March  is being rescheduled. We will keep you informed  as to whether we can get a new date.  Plans for Sushi lunch are that it will most likely go ahead, but may be rescheduled.
• The Grade 1 Excursion to the Museum has been rescheduled from Friday 20 March to go in Term 2 on Friday 12 June (all being safe). We will advise next term of any further changes.
• Grade 5/6 Camp to Portsea will not go ahead on Monday 23 March – 25 March but has been rescheduled for September 16-18,2020
• Hour of Power Working Bee to be confirmed for term 2

Also

• PLEASE read this week’s school newsletter which went out yesterday providing important information on the best Hygiene Measures
• I encourage all staff, parents/carers to access the smart traveller website prior to any international travel
• If schools receive advice from the Chief Health Officer about school closures, we will communicate this to you and are looking at how we can provide learning programs
• We will exercise exclusion from school for staff and students with flu-like illness including sending home unwell students and staff.

We will get through this and I encourage you all to look after each other during this time.

Libby Alessi