From the Principal’s Desk, 31 July 2020

Dear Parents

It is the end of the third week of term 3 and all our year groups have been phased in as per our return to school plan.  Although all students are not at campus, we are well on our way to running at full capacity again.

There have been quite a few changes this term: from the morning routine and the way classes are conducted, to the collection of students in the afternoon.  Despite the changes, disruptions, and uncertainties, we remain positive and in good spirits.

I wish to thank all our parents for adhering to our Covid protocols when dropping and collecting students.  Please remember that if you wish to meet with a staff member, you need to book an appointment beforehand and go directly to the front office for the screening process.  This is for your own protection as well as the health and safety of our staff.

To ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, we conduct risk assessments and screening throughout the day.  The questions that arose this week, regarding quarantine procedures and contact with possible cases, led me to address the following in this week’s editorial.

Direct contact and casual contact

The issue of direct contact and casual contact is important to understand.  Any direct contact with a positive case will result in such a person being isolated for a period of 14 days and possibly even tested, should he/she experience any symptoms of Covid-19.  Direct contact in this case would mean physical contact with a positively tested person or someone sharing an immediate space (within 1,5m without wearing a mask) or shared such a person’s belongings.  By merely sharing a classroom or workspace does not constitute direct contact.  Such a situation is regarded as casual contact, without any risk as all the necessary health and safety precautions are strictly observed regarding social distancing, the wearing of masks and the washing and sanitizing of hands.

I wish to re-iterate that there is no shame in contracting the virus as it can happen to anyone and no stigmatization will be tolerated at our school.  We all need to continue exercising the necessary health and safety measures such as the wearing of masks, proper social distancing, regular sanitizing, and thorough washing of hands.  The school is sanitized regularly according to all protocols.

Let us be mindful that we are in this together and it is only through understanding and cooperation that we will endure this time of hardship.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Kind regards

Edna