Principal's Update
Some key changes with the easing of restrictions in the 11 LGAs include:
Parents/carers on school site
Parents/carers and visitors will now be allowed back on school sites, with the requirement they adhere to the ongoing direction regarding the wearing of masks.
This means masks must be worn by all adults inside school buildings (unless they can stay 1.5m apart from other people) but may be removed outdoors, as long as they can keep 1.5 metres apart from other people.
School activities
Assemblies and other large group activities including instrumental music groups, choirs, performances, extra-curricular sporting activities, and dancing are permitted, with individuals adhering to COVID-19 health directions including wearing of masks.
If students are able to remain 1.5 metres apart from others during these activities, they are able to remove their mask.
Sport and excursions
Interschool sport and excursions are permitted. Excursions should not involve interstate travel.
Visitors and external providers
Visitors and external providers including providers of extra-curricular activities will now be permitted on school site.
Masks must be worn by all visitors and external providers inside school buildings (unless they can stay 1.5m apart from other people) but may be removed outdoors, as long as they can keep 1.5 metres apart from other people.
Itinerant staff
Itinerant staff (e.g. Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapists etc.) can recommence their usual work arrangements visiting schools.
Wearing face masks
In the 11 LGAs, masks must be carried by all adults and all secondary aged students.
Masks must be worn by teachers and staff (all schools), plus students in high school in the 11 LGAs, unless they can stay 1.5 metres apart from other people. This applies to both indoors and outdoors.
Based on this advice, and the difficulty of implementing a 1.5 metre rule in classrooms, it is expected that secondary students will continue to wear masks in classroom settings in most cases for another week unless health advice determines otherwise.
There are a number of exceptions to wearing face masks, including for children under 12 (unless they are in Year 7) and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities. Some of these exceptions include:
- anyone who has a medical condition or disability that may be made worse by wearing a mask, including problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on their face, a mental health condition or experienced trauma
- anyone who is communicating with those who are deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
Border details
The existing border closure with New South Wales will remain in place. New South Wales border zone residents will only be able to cross the border for a permitted purpose. Likewise, Queensland residents can only enter the New South Wales border zone for a permitted purpose. Further details about the border zone are available from Queensland Health.
Support Services
We understand that COVID restrictions, lockdowns and information can provide additional stress and anxiety for some of our students and their families. We do all that we can at Foxwell SSC to provide reassurance and support to our students regarding the ever-changing response to COVID. Should you or your child require additional support, please contact our Student Services office and we will arrange appropriate support from our College Guidance Officer, School-Based Youth Health Nurse or Heads of Year.
Please consider that with so much focus being on the COVID situation, our students may feel that they can't escape the 'bad news'. They may see it in their news feeds, on the television, or hear family or friends talking about it at the dinner table. It may be that your child needs some respite from this topic, so many families are making a conscious effort to focus instead focus on more positive news or engage in healthy family activities and adventures.
Our children are facing things that many of us never had to hear about or consider in our childhoods. They have had sporting events cancelled, school interrupted, holiday plans changed, birthday parties cancelled for another year, changes to routines and communication with friends and family, and the stopping of things we used to take for granted like hugs with our grandparents or newborn babies. Let's acknowledge this, and let's do all we can to provide a safe and joyous time for our children, and let's celebrate the strength and resilience of our children who are for the most part coping with uncertainty and change so very well.
COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION
We have received very positive feedback from parents about our timely, thorough and open communication with students, parents and members of our school community. As your Principal, I have always prided myself on the transparency of my communication and assured our school community that I do not sweep things under the carpet or hide issues in our community from you.
There are times, however, that as a Principal I cannot and should not provide detailed information that relates to individuals in our community, out of respect for the privacy and wellbeing of each individual person. Be assured all parties involved in any incident will always be appropriately informed and communicated with by the College.
This week I have been disappointed to hear rumours, gossip, speculation and untruths circulated by adults in our community. I agree with parents that should these rumours have been true, you would have every right to be worried and upset, but I assure you that the vast majority of the rumours and comments that have been distributed via social media and word of mouth are not based on fact. These comments have caused unwarranted distress to some members of our community which goes against everything we believe in as a College, and our SPIRIT values. Like I regularly remind our students, before sharing rumours and gossip please "THINK".
The two that are most relevant this week are - Is it true and is it necessary? Have you checked the facts with a reliable source? Do you really NEED to know, or do you simply WANT to know for your own interest? I compare this to when I see someone post about a motor vehicle incident on a Facebook page, and suddenly everyone wants to know the intricate and personal details. They dont NEED to know the details, but they WANT to know.
Please remember that I have an open door policy with parents, and I strive to always respond to questions or concerns in a timely manner. Before you share misinformation that may cause distress to others, feel free to contact me to discuss it, and where at all possible (with consideration of respect for the parties involved) I will be transparent and honest with you. That is my ongoing and genuine commitment to our College community.
SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS TERM
This week saw our students engage in wonderul Science Week activities.
In the coming weeks they will be getting ready (and fundraising hard) for our very first Colour Run Explosion. We seriously can't wait for the fun of that day. All going to plan, parents and members of our school community will be permitted to join us to watch the adventures. Please remember that students must raise a minimum of $10 to be permitted to partipate or join us for the fun on the oval. Congratulations to students who are fundraising hard with one of our students who has already raised $480 in the first week.
Our Year 8s and our Year 7 GSTEM girls are getting ready for their first Foxwell camps. There is sure to be many laughs and great adventures ahead.
Our Year 8s are finalising their Year 9 subject selections and beginning to make important and informed decisions for their future of learning and flourishing.
There is a World of Opportunity available to our students if they just look out for them and take the leap to get involved. How lucky are our kids at Foxwell?
Until next week.
Kym Amor
Principal