The safety of our students, staff and school community is our number one priority and we appreciate being able to work in partnership with you as we aim to follow all necessary precautions to protect the health and well-being of our community.
We are monitoring and adhering to the advice issued from State and Commonwealth health and education authorities to help ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our school community.
Government websites for more information and updates
Department of Health Information for Schools
Queensland Government - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Queensland Health - Information for Queensland - Novel Coronavirus
Queensland Health - Information for Travellers & Visitors
Responding to COVID-19
As the Novel Coronavirus continues, the School is being diligent in its efforts to keep those in our school community safe and healthy. To reduce the risk to everyone, effective hygiene practices, reconsidering non-essential travel and self-isolation (if required) are essential.
Hygiene: The School has spoken to students about hygienic practices with an emphasis on washing hands and the correct protocols for sneezing and coughing. Our school cleaners are paying extra attention to the cleaning of human contact areas such as handles, handrails and drink fountains. We encourage you to also talk to your children at home about the importance and benefits of personal hygiene.
Self-isolation and self-quarantine: Symptoms, as outlined by Queensland Health may include fever, a cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath. Anyone who is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms is required to remain at home and seek medical advice. Please view further information on the guidelines for self-quarantine.
Overseas travel: We urge families to reconsider all non-essential travel. Families who do plan to travel overseas need to ensure they are aware of the risks and requirements upon their return. A change in circumstances might require periods of quarantine, or self-isolation which would affect your child's school attendance. It is important that families are well informed of any up to date recommendations and adhere strictly to these requirements. Please view further information on Australian Government travel alerts.
Prevention practices: We ask all in our school community to follow best hygiene practices in an effort to prevent the spread of germs:
- Please remain at home if you are sick. We request that you follow the requirements as set out in the Schools Parent Handbook relating to Absenteeism and Medical Matters.
- If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, a cough, a sore throat, fatigue or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from a healthcare provider.
Hand Hygiene
Infectious disease can be spread via contaminated hands. Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures in preventing transmission of infection. Hands can become contaminated from touching contaminated surfaces or by being contaminated through coughing, sneezing, rubbing eyes etc. The infectious agent can then be passed on to others e.g. shaking hands and/or contaminating clean surfaces. Hands should be regularly washed with soap, running water and then dried.
. Hand basin, running water, mild liquid soap (preferred option) - germicidal soaps are not required and may irritate some skin types, paper towels (preferred option) for hand drying or air dryers.
Hand washing steps:
- Wet hands thoroughly and then add mild liquid soap.
- Rub soap over all areas of the hands, including between the finds, thumbs and back of hands.
- Wash for at least 10 seconds.
- Rinse hands well under running water
- Dry thoroughly with paper towel (preferred option) or air dryer.
Respiratory Hygiene:
This is a set of routine practices to prevent potentially infectious secretions from the nose and mouth from contaminating others directly or indirectly via surfaces. Cover your cough – cough into a single use tissue or into your sleeve, never into your hands. Always turn to direct your cough away from others and away from surfaces or food sources.
Cover your sneeze – sneeze into a single use tissue or if unavailable into your sleeve, never into your hands. Always direct your sneeze away from others and away from surfaces or food sources.
If you need to blow your nose it is especially important to do this into a single use tissue(s), dispose of the tissue immediately into a bin – do not re-use tissues as they are unhygienic once contaminated.
Always wash your hands after you have coughed, sneezed or blown our nose - even when you have used a tissue as there will be residual contamination from the tissue on your hands.
