Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Dear Families

I hope you are well and safe and that your child has enjoyed the Easter holiday break although under very different circumstances. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your supporting a successful transition to remote learning.  My commitment is to keep you fully informed on the situation around COVID-19 at the College.

Ms Valerie Gould, Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA), released a statement to Principals which urged us to make decisions relevant to our own communities. Ms Gould says that it is important that “Independent schools can and continue to make decisions which take into account their own set of unique circumstances”.

As part of our College community, you have contributed to the excellent response to COVID-19 in WA, through the manner in which you have supported the health directions and guidelines as specified by the State and Federal Governments.

Term 2 will probably be different to what was anticipated a few weeks ago, because the number and spread of COVID-19 cases in our community now isn’t as dire as anticipated. For that, we are very grateful. It is a positive basis for adjusting our plans. We do however acknowledge that the situation can change at any time and in keeping one step ahead of this virus we cannot relax.  Executive staff and Board met on 21^st April and the following decisions were made in consideration of recommendations from the WA State and Federal governments, AISWA and Lutheran Education SA, NT, WA.  With expert advice, the College has made decisions we believe will best serve our community.

As you may be aware, Premier Mark McGowan announced Term 2 arrangements for public schools in Western Australia on Friday, 17^th April. The following information lays out our own College arrangements for Term 2, which reflect the guiding principles of Lutheran Education:

1. The health and safety of our students and staff remains our first priority.
2. All students will continue to be provided with a quality education and pastoral care.
3. Decisions regarding school education will continue to be informed by national and state-based   health and education advice, and align with the National Principles for School Education.

When Term 2 commences on Wednesday, 29^th April, Living Waters Lutheran College will provide one mode of learning initially, which will be online learning, until Friday 22^nd May.  A review of this arrangement will take place on 18^th May.

The revised Term 2 commencement date is Wednesday 29 April.

• Monday 27^th April is a public holiday.
• Tuesday 28^th April will be a pupil free day. There will be no students at school as staff will be using this day for preparation. Primary packs will be distributed on this day.
• Wednesday 29^th April – Student learning commences via remote learning (online learning & learning packs) for all College students both offsite and onsite.  Year 11 and 12 will be on campus for face to face learning.

I do apologise for any inconvenience caused by the change in start date.  Due to the recent WA Government update, I have made the decision to align with the public school return date of Wednesday 29^th April.

STUDENTS ATTENDING THE COLLEGE

Year 11 and 12 Students

• If your child is in Years 11 and 12 they are strongly encouraged to attend the College to resume their classes and engage in face-to-face learning with their teachers from Wednesday, 29 April.  Curriculum and assessment requirements make this the recommended option for them.

Kindergarten to Year 10 Students

• From the start of Term 2, if your child is in Kindergarten to Year 10 you may choose to keep them at home to engage in flexible, virtual learning, either online (Teams and SEQTA for Secondary) or via work packs/ Seesaw (Primary students).  This continues the transition to flexible and virtual learning from Term 1.   This approach was developed to allow parents and guardians engaged in essential services or required to maintain employment to send their child to school if unable to care for them at home.
• If you choose to send your Kindergarten to Year 10 child to school they will engage in the same mode of learning being provided to students learning from home.  The College will provide appropriate supervision of online or virtual learning but not face-to-face teaching for your child.
• Students are reminded to fully charge their devices and bring an appropriate set of head phones to engage in online learning.
• No practical lessons will be provided (this will be reviewed on the 18^th May).

On Wednesday, 29^th April, if your child is attending school they should arrive at 8.25 am.  To support the social distancing requirements, we ask that students do not arrive at the College before this stated time on Wednesday.  Following day 1, the gates will open at 8.15 am daily.

Drop off and pick up of students:

• Your child’s temperature will be monitored as they enter the College.They will also sanitise their hands.  Children who have a temperature or present as unwell must go home.
• Daily access to the College grounds will be restricted to students and staff (as per State Government Directive).  I know you will agree that the less people on College grounds the safer the environment will be for your child and our staff.  Staff will still be available to meet with you and we will let you know separately about how alternative arrangements will work.  It would be appreciated if you could drop your primary students at the Currie Street entrance and Secondary students should access via the Swallowtail entrance.
• Staff will be available daily to escort young primary children who are dropped at the Swallowtail entrance, from the courtyard to and from their learning supervision areas.  They will also assist students find you at pick up time at the Currie Street entrance.
• If you are a parent of a Secondary child you are asked to drop off and pickup your child at the College entrances and they should make their way to the appropriate assembly point listed below.

After drop off – student assembly points for the first day of Term 2 only – staff will be available to assist students

• Kindergarten to Year 6 – Primary Courtyard (after drop off at Currie Street entrance)
• Years 7 and 8 – Chapel Area
• Years 9 and 10 – Gymnasium Area
• Years 11 and 12 – Head to normal Pastoral Care Classes in the Senior School building

Based upon attendance, decisions will be made regarding student supervision areas and required timetable changes.  Students will be kept fully informed and assisted with their adjusted routines.

MEDICALLY COMPROMISED OR ILL STUDENTS

If your child is medically compromised, I ask that they remain at home until they receive a medical clearance to attend school. Online learning and/or work packs will be provided for Years Kindergarten to Year 10 whilst they remain at home.  Year 11 and 12 students should refer to SEQTA.  If your child is in any way unwell we ask you to keep them at home.  Staff will also be advised to remain at home if they are unwell in any way.

SCHOOL EVENTS

Parent Teacher Interviews will be postponed until further notice.  The College will provide alternative arrangements to give you feedback on your child’s progress.  We will advise further details in the near future.  Assemblies, excursions, interschool activities and school-based co-curricular activities will not recommence until advice is received from the Department of Health that it is safe to do so.

CANTEEN

The College Canteen will continue to operate with menu options that will reflect student numbers from Thursday 30^th April.  Please ensure your child has a packed recess and lunch if they will be attending school.

UNIFORM

I understand that the normal transition to Winter uniform that would have taken place in Term 2 will be a little more difficult to execute.  If your child is attending the College they may wear either summer or winter uniform until the beginning of Week 4.  The uniform shop is open by appointment.  Contact the College office to make an appointment.  From Week 4 children attending the College should be in full winter uniform.

CLEANING AND HYGIENE

The College will continue to ensure that appropriate environmental cleaning practices are in place.

Your child will be required to continue with the hygiene practices put in place in Term 1 and will need to follow the physical distancing measures as best as we can implement them in the school environment to maximise their safety and that of our staff.

SUPPORT

I wish to reiterate that during this period, my staff will continue to do their best as possible to support our students’ learning from home and those students who may need to be at school. We acknowledge that it will be important to maintain regular contact with you whatever your choice.

The WA State Government will be reviewing their plans for Term 2 after the first few weeks, so we will review our plans at that time too. Our goal is to create as much consistency and continuity for staff and students to ensure the best possible learning takes place during this difficult time.  I wish to reassure you that the ongoing enrolment of your child in our College is guaranteed.  If your circumstances put you in need of financial support, I encourage you to contact my Business Manager, Mr Wayne Burman or me.  We are here to support you, as we know that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on many families.  You may use the confidential email covid19@livingwaters.wa.edu.au or call the College office on 9593 1211.

I would like to thank you for your support during these very challenging times and I will keep you updated with any new information as it becomes available.

Yours sincerely

Francois Pienaar

College Principal