Letter to parents: 18 March 2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

At Hope Christian College we are doing our best to look after the learning and well-being of your children in these uncertain times.

No cases at Hope Christian College

Currently there are no cases or reported cases of COVID-19 at Hope Christian College. We have been in touch with the Health Department and have taken part in a video conference with the Premier Mr Marshall and Mike Cusak Deputy Chief Medical Officer. We will update you if things change.

School staying open

You will know that the Prime Minister, Mr Morrison, has said that schools will stay open. There is a lower infection rate among students at school. Mr Morrison noted that even in Singapore the schools have stayed open. Hope Christian College will stay open unless the Health Department or Government instructs us to close.

Two days to prepare

We are closing the College for two (2) days only (Thursday 19 March and Friday 20 March). We are using these two days to prepare for two main things:

1. If a number of teachers become sick and their lessons have to go online
2. If the Prime Minister updates the situation and schools have to close for an extended period

This will allow us to put future lessons onto SEQTA our online learning platform, and to create some assessment and resources. The planning and training will allow some teachers to have whole of class discussions and forums with students in the event of a closure.

Parents

We ask that parents drop their children off and then leave immediately for the foreseeable future. Please do not stay on Campus, or out the front chatting in groups.

Please do not send sick children to school.

If you or your children have any of the following you should go to the doctor immediately:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sick children will be sent home from school.

Cancellations

• Junior School Sports day (Friday March 20) – Cancelled
• Junior School Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (Tuesday April 7)-Cancelled
• Open Day – Cancelled
• Year 8 Camp – Cancelled
• Chapels, Assemblies and any other large indoor gatherings
• Various excursions – you will receive advice from your child’s teacher

Hygiene

Hand sanitiser: we have secured a quantity of hand sanitizer and are attempting to get this into classrooms. Hand Sanitiser is almost impossible to get at the moment. Pump bottles are also rare. We are looking to buy more pump bottles.

Hand washing: we are converting a number of drinking fountains to hand washing stations.

Social distancing: Students are being instructed regarding social distancing.
Parents should leave the campus as soon as they have dropped off their children.
We are attempting to separate year levels even further. We already have separate lunch and recess for Junior and Middle Senior Students. We are looking to split lunch and recess areas even more.

Monday Home Group

Year 6 – 9 students will go to their core class when the 8:40am bell rings (where they have most of their lessons). Senior Students will be advised where to go for Home Group on Monday. Students will be in year level groups until the COVID-19 outbreak is over.

A reminder

There are no cases or suspected cases of COVID-19 at Hope Christian College.