Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
How has that affected schools in the Southern Tablelands?
For schools outside the lockdown regions, all students are expected to be at school unless they have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
Students can only return when they have received a negative test result and are symptom free.
While at school, masks or face coverings are recommended in all indoor settings for all students in year 7 and above and all staff.
With regards to visitors, non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools.
All staff and visitors need to check in using the QR codes available and check out once they leave the school site.
Parents should:
- Maintain physical distancing by avoiding gathering outside of school gates.
- Remain outside of school grounds.
- Follow mask-wearing requirements and sign in using the Service NSW QR code when entering the school.
Looking at school based activities, the following are allowed:
- Assemblies can be held with COVID-safe practices in place, but no visitors permitted.
- Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs are permitted if conducted outside in a well-ventilated area.
- Bands and ensembles are permitted in line with current health advice.
- Dance or drama are permitted in line with COVID-Safe practices within classes.
- Library activities are permitted in line with the Infection Control requirements.
These are the rules regarding events and community activities:
- Community use and events outside school hours.
- Excursions will be limited to outdoor locations within the Local Government Area of the school where the school can demonstrate COVID Safe practices.
- Parents and carers may attend for the purposes of school orientation programs.
- School orientation programs are permitted with COVID-safe practices in place.
- Inter-school, inter-regional and intrastate activities and events, such as gala days and sporting carnivals can continue with COVID-safe practices in place.
- Schools must make alternative arrangements for performances, productions, concerts, speech nights, award presentations, graduations, formals and school dances that support the broader guidance. Personal hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping practices must be adhered to at these events.
- P&C activities including meetings.
- Community use outside school hours.
- Canteens and uniform stores where appropriate hygiene measures are in place.
- Electoral commission officers conducting polling location inspections permitted they follow COVID-19 requirements for visitors.
- All polling days will require additional planning from the electoral commission based on health advice of the time.
The following are not permitted or on hold during school hours or within school grounds/
- Camps and out of area field trips.
- Voluntary student activities of a religious nature (VSA).
- Overnight stays.
- International excursions.
- Student visits to aged care facilities.
- Community events within school hours.
A school that is coping really well is Trinity Catholic College and principal Gaye McManus said they were following all the government guidelines.
"A number of staff and students are wearing masks when indoors as is recommended," Ms McManus said.
"We continue to hand sanitise, be socially distant and ensure we stay home if we have COVID-like symptoms.
"Our students, staff and parents have been very patient and supportive of the mask wearing recommendation.
"Mask wearing indoors at school is only a recommendation; it is not mandated.
"The restrictions are about keeping our students, staff and parents safe and well."
Ms McManus said the school was fortunate to be located in Goulburn and not in other parts of the state.
"We can still continue with face to face learning unlike in Greater Sydney where all schools have had to move to remote learning."
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.