Dear Parents, Guardians and School Families
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
There have been changes to how contact tracing will occur, and the role of schools in that process. Schools are now required to identify the ‘close contacts’ of a confirmed COVID case in the school, and inform the Health Department, via the Association of Independent School in Western Australia (AISWA), which students are ‘close contacts’ of that confirmed case.
COVID-19 cases at Emmanuel:
A small number of our students have been identified as ‘close contacts’ to a positive person and have remained home and received testing over a 7 day period as required by the Health Department. After completing 7 days of isolation and a negative RAT on day 7, students may return to school.
We have received reports of two positive COVID-19 cases in Year 12 students and reports have been sent to the Health Department, via AISWA, this afternoon. Students may wish to stay home, get tested and isolate for 7 days.
What happens next?
- The school awaits confirmation of positive cases and direction from the Health Department.
- The School will determine who the close contacts for those students are, inform those families that they are close contacts, and send the contact details to the Health Department.
- The contact details sent to the Health Department are parent and student names, DOB, email addresses and contact phone numbers.
- Close contacts will need to isolate for 7 days, provide a negative RAT on day 7 and will then be able to return to school.
- If the RAT is positive, the student will need to follow that up with a PCR test and wait at home for the result.
- During the 7 day isolation period, students will work on the lessons prepared by staff. Normal classroom teaching will take place, with support for students who are isolating at home. Support will vary depending on the age of the student, being Seesaw, TEAMS, SEQTA or take-home packs.
- There is more discussion of mask wearing for years 3 to 6, but this is not required at this time.
- If a student tests positive to COVID-19, please contact the school immediately: cdavis@eccs.wa.edu.au
Things we continue to do:
- Secondary students and staff wear masks as required and reduce the risk of becoming a close contact.
- Observe all mask wearing, personal hygiene, hand sanitising, social distancing and ventilation requirements, at all times.
- Continue with increased school cleaning routines.
- The aim is for schools to remain open and to isolate cohorts of students rather than force a school closure.
School staff have made plans for remote learning in response to possible student isolation, before the beginning of the school year.
Again, we thank you for your patience when and if we need to move to remote learning, and for your understanding as we respond to each new requirement made of schools by the Health Department at this time.
In Christian Service
Carol Davis
Principal
Romans 15:5-6
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus, that we may with one voice glorify our God and Father.