GPCC Return to School Roadmap

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GPCC Return to School Roadmap 11 October 2021 _________

Table of Contents Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 2 Roadmap to return to face-to-face learning ............................................................................................ 2 Staged return (Level 3 plus) ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Areas of concern ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 Order of return............................................................................................................................................................... 2

About the planned return to school ........................................................................................................ 3 Conditions for a staged return to school ................................................................................................. 3 Learning delivery ................................................................................................................................... 3 Students who will not return to school.......................................................................................................................... 3 Primary School settings .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Secondary School settings ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Drop-offs and pick-ups ................................................................................................................................................... 4

Check-in protocols when attending a school site ..................................................................................... 5 Masks and face coverings ....................................................................................................................... 5 Essential hygiene and PPE ...................................................................................................................... 5 Student vaccinations .............................................................................................................................. 5 Visitors .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Staff supporting schools ......................................................................................................................... 5 Cleaning................................................................................................................................................. 6 Ventilation............................................................................................................................................. 6 What is permitted during school hours or within the school? .................................................................. 6 What is permitted with modification? .................................................................................................... 6 Shared spaces ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Staffrooms...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 School-based activities ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Practicum teachers and professional experience placement (including VET, TAFE, trade schools) .............................. 7

Activities that are not permitted or on hold ............................................................................................ 7 Exams .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Formals, graduations, end of year celebrations, orientations and transition ............................................ 7 Meetings, staff development days, professional learning ........................................................................ 7

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Introduction This Roadmap is based on a plan produced by the NSW Department of Education for public schools. It follows that plan in many respects but also differs from it as GPCC seeks to adopt a plan in the best interests of our students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the delivery of education in NSW and around the world. Our students, educational leaders, teachers, staff and families have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility throughout this period.

While the pandemic has affected everybody differently, there are some clear learnings and common themes emerging from NSW and around the world including the need for students to return to school as soon as it is safe for them to do so, because nothing can replace face-to-face learning with an expert teacher. Being at school with their teachers and peers is also vital for student wellbeing as well as social and emotional development.

Roadmap to return to face-to-face learning Staged return (Level 3 plus) Schools will return to face-to-face learning either through a ‘staged return’ or ‘full return’, depending on NSW Health conditions in their area. The Central Coast LGA has been placed in the Level Three Plus category due to the on-going numbers of new infections.

When stay-at-home rules are still in place, but other community vaccination and transmission conditions are met, students will return to school in a planned way. This will assist the school to adopt covid-safe practices and help students adjust to them.

GPCC will be returning through a planned return model and will operate under the Level 3 plus guidance for schools.

Areas of concern Local government areas (LGAs) and suburbs of concern operating under Level 4 plus restrictions will continue learning from home until they are removed from the areas of concern. Should the Central Coast become a LGA of concern, this will apply to us.

Order of return Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings to GPCC in the following order:

• •

from 18 October – K-2, Y6 and Y12 students (Y12 for a special welcome back day) from 25 October – All remaining students

Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are already able to return in a limited way and this will continue. From 18 October, these students will have access to school campuses and their teachers (by arrangement) in preparation for the HSC examinations starting on 9 November.

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About the planned return to school GPCC is required to restrict activities to established student cohorts. This will be in grades for Secondary and stage groupings (such as K-2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6) for Primary. Where practical, physical distancing and limiting interactions between groups during recess and lunch breaks to reduce contact between student cohorts and staff will be implemented. This will mean students being restricted to designated areas during the breaks.

Students and staff travelling to and from school by public transport must follow NSW Health advice, including mask wearing.

Conditions for a staged return to school The NSW return to face-to-face learning plan for schools under stay-at-home restrictions has been informed by the Doherty Institute Modelling Report for National Cabinet and ongoing advice from NSW Health.

For a planned return to face-to-face learning (Level 3 Plus), the following conditions will need to have been met: • • • • • •

Students will only be able to return if the adult community double vaccination rates are over 70%.

This has been achieved.

Where requirements are reached, students will return to school in accordance with the plans noted above.

If cases in the Central Coast LGA increase significantly, learning from home will resume until case numbers drop. This will be advised by NSW Health.

Mixing among student cohorts will be limited and controlled.

Any staff member returning to school sites from 6 October will be required to present evidence of at least 1 dose of vaccine. Vaccination will be mandatory for all school staff from 8 November as per the PHO, and priority will be afforded to them in the rollout of vaccinations.

Eligible Secondary school students are encouraged to consider having received 2 doses of vaccine before their return to face-to-face learning.

Learning delivery To provide a safe learning environment for students, minimise opportunities for transmission and enable the most effective contact tracing and containment measures in the event of a COVID-19 case, GPCC will be adopting a cohort model.

The principles of student cohorting are to: • • • • • •

minimise unnecessary physical interaction between cohort groupings on school grounds ensure that students learn and play only with those in their cohort, wherever possible minimise opportunities for transmission and enhance contact tracing minimise the potential for widespread infection across the school and wider school community enable learning to be delivered effectively via face-to-face and home-based learning where necessary facilitate opportunities for ongoing collaboration for staff, while delivering face-to-face teaching.

Students who will not return to school In the event that some families may not wish for their children to return to school, the College will look to ensure on-going learning for those students via home learning. Plans for how this will operate will be developed prior to the 18 October but will mean a reduced level of teacher interaction online compared to what is happening now as teachers will need to focus more on face-to-face learning. Other adjustments may be made depending on the numbers of students involved. GPCC will survey parents early in Term 4 to determine the number of possible stay-at-home students. It is likely that this will cease at some stage as soon as the Government may require all students to be back in school from then on.

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Primary School settings On returning to school students will be placed into stage-based cohorts: K- 2, 3/4, and 5/6.

During this period: • • • • •

Masks are recommended by NSW Health for primary students, at all times, indoors and outdoors, but are not compulsory.

Classroom teachers will ideally be the allocated teacher for their class. We may use additional flexible staffing arrangements to support the delivery of face-to-face and home-based learning for that cohort, including the use of casual teachers.

Each cohort will be allocated an outdoor space, completing all break times with their allocated cohort in that space. These may be rotated amongst the three groups.

Within each cohort, students should maintain strict personal hygiene and physical distancing wherever possible.

Students who are unable to return to school will continue to receive work delivered via online learning and/or learning from home packs. The on-line interaction is very likely to be reduced from what happens currently and may not be continued for long.

GPCC will manage the cohort model in a way that best meets the needs of our students, while maintaining the core principles of cohorting (outlined above).

Students receiving Enrichment support should return in line with their year group and according to the needs of each student.

Secondary School settings • • • • • •

Schools with secondary students will adopt a year-based cohorting model from the outset Within each cohort, students should maintain strict personal hygiene and physical distancing.

Masks must be worn by all students, at all times indoors and outdoors unless they are eating or engaging in strenuous physical exercise.

These measures will enable secondary school students and teachers to return to their normal timetable.

Students who are unable to return to school will continue to be supported to learn from home, but GPCC will need to make some adjustments to home learning such as reduced teacher contact time as teachers manage face-to-face classes. The length of time this will continue is uncertain.

Students receiving Enrichment support should return in line with their year group and according to the needs of each student.

Drop-offs and pick-ups Drop-offs and pick-ups will not be staggered by cohorts but at the Kiss and Drop zones and the bus bay, students will need to remain in a designated area in pre-determined cohorts until their parent or bus arrives.

Parents and carers must follow the school’s advice regarding changes to student drop-off and pick-up. This includes staying in the car when dropping off and picking up children if it is safe to do so. This does not apply to drop off and pick up from outside of school hours care (OOSHC) as sign-in and sign-out procedures are required.

Parents and carers should: • • • •

follow the physical distancing advice for their local area and avoid gathering inside the school grounds remain outside school grounds (some exceptions may exist, vulnerable students or students with disability – check with the school) adhere to mask-wearing requirements in accordance with the Public Health Order sign in using the Service NSW QR code if entering the school to speak with a staff member.

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Check-in protocols when attending a school site All staff and visitors attending a school site must comply with school protocols and check in using the applicable Service NSW QR code.

Masks and face coverings NSW Health advice requires that all staff must wear a face mask or covering at all times including when working outdoors – this includes in playgrounds and elsewhere on school grounds.

While at school, appropriate face masks are required in all indoor and outdoor settings for all students in Year 7 and above. Masks are recommended for primary students but not compulsory.

Staff and students should bring their own masks although GPCC will have some spares available. Some exemptions apply. Refer to the NSW Government face mask rules.

Teachers are permitted to remove their mask to aid in communication with students in the classroom but will keep them on as much as possible.

Essential hygiene and PPE Appropriate use of PPE (dependent on the task) is important and incorrect use can increase the risk of infection. This will be particularly important in the first aid station.

Student vaccinations In the event that a vaccination program is implemented for primary-school-aged children in NSW schools, informed consent will be sought from the child’s parents or carers before any vaccine is administered. GPCC has no plans to become a vaccination centre.

Parents and carers may wish to discuss options for vaccination with their GP in the event their child becomes eligible for a vaccination in NSW.

Visitors Non-essential visitors are not permitted on school sites including: • • •

official visitors and dignitaries media and production crews visits by local members.

Workers supporting the infrastructure development and maintenance of schools can continue on site. This includes contractors, general assistants and other grounds support staff.

Allied Health partners and other providers (such as speech therapists and occupational therapists) that are unable to deliver critical services remotely are permitted on site and should continue to operate in a COVIDsafe way.

All essential visitors are required to sign in using the school’s Service NSW QR code and register at Reception.

All visitors are required to wear a face mask or covering in accordance with the Public Health Order.

Staff supporting schools •

Services should be delivered online where possible, including any professional learning.

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• •

Staff providing essential support for student wellbeing are permitted on site, such as community liaison officers and counsellors.

Mask wearing and COVID check-in is required for all visitors.

Cleaning Current cleaning regimes will continue at school. Target areas include high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, light switches and handrails in stairways and movement areas and playground equipment. Enhanced cleaning will be delivered as part of the daily cleaning of the school.

Ventilation Open or well-ventilated spaces reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. For more information, refer to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 guidance on ventilation. Teachers will ensure that their classrooms are well ventilated with open doors and windows as much as possible. Where any room is not able to have crossventilation ( survey has been conducted by GPCC), the school has provided air purifiers that meet the standards for dealing with covid-19.

What is permitted during school hours or within the school?

We can continue to operate: • •

The canteen where appropriate hygiene measures are in place: o Students who normally purchase directly from the canteen will be able to do so only by placing a lunch or break time order. There will be no walk-up purchasing available. early childhood services (OOSHC) as normal

What is permitted with modification?

Shared spaces Shared spaces, such as changing rooms, libraries, school halls and other communal areas, will only be used by one cohort at a time, with adherence to strict personal hygiene protocols and physical distancing requirements.

Staffrooms • • • • •

Staffrooms will be fully ventilated, with windows open wherever possible.

Teachers and staff must not congregate or sit together in staffrooms in groups exceeding the 4 square metre rules.

Physical distancing rules and strict personal hygiene protocols will always apply.

High-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, light switches and handrails in staffrooms will be cleaned thoroughly throughout the day.

Masks must be worn in staff rooms, temporary removal allowed in line with PHO (e.g., eating or drinking)

School-based activities • • •

Dance and/or drama are permitted in line with COVID-safe practices within class groups in outdoor spaces. Mixing of classes is not permitted Library activities are permitted in line with infection control requirements.

The Uniform Shop will only operate online and have pre-ordering arrangements in place, with one dedicated staff member attending outside of school hours to arrange distribution.

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Practicum teachers and professional experience placement (including VET, TAFE, trade schools) • • • • •

Practicum teachers and people on professional experience placements will be required to present evidence of 2 doses of vaccine.

GPCC will only accommodate placements for final year pre-service teachers and professional experience placements who are due to graduate within the next 12 months.

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) may undertake employment as part of their SBAT as long as this employment complies with NSW Public Health Orders.

NESA has advised that students who cannot complete their VET work placement due to COVIDrelated impacts will still be eligible for the HSC. Work experience should be deferred.

Activities that are not permitted or on hold Schools must cease the following activities during school hours or within school grounds: • • • • • • • • • • • •

singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs (except for HSC preparation and assessment purposes) sport (except for sport within existing PDHPE classes, provided this limits student mixing) bands and ensembles emergency drills interschool activities and events including interschool sport, gala days, trials, knock outs and carnivals assemblies and chapels school performances, productions, concerts, speech nights and award presentations excursions, camps, field trips and principal-endorsed activities for students student visits to aged care facilities community events (fetes, grandparents’ days etc.)

Parent group activities, including meetings (unless held online only) all external providers and specialist programs not directly related to educational outcomes and support, including community use of school facilities (such as markets and all after school activities) unless delivered online only

Exams GPCC will implement COVID-safe arrangements for HSC exams to minimise mixing between students, ensure that students are appropriately spaced and that exams are conducted in well-ventilated rooms and spaces.

NESA has announced a number of changes to the 2021 HSC timetables. For more information, refer to educationstandards.nsw.edu.au.

Formals, graduations, end of year celebrations, orientations and transition Further advice will be provided to schools in Term 4 working closely with the mass gatherings team in NSW Health.

Meetings, staff development days, professional learning Staff must: • •

use virtual platforms where applicable follow health advice in regard to gatherings.

Non-school based staff may only attend by online meeting platforms.

Compliance training (e.g., First aid/CPR) is to be conducted online until further notice.

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