As you would be aware, we have experienced a slight backward step in terms of our COVID restrictions over the past week. These restrictions are a timely reminder that we are still in the grips of the pandemic and that we need to remain flexible in our response to potential changes at short notice. I thank all members of our community for your continued support in this regard, especially over the past week. 

Conscious of the fact that our current directives may change at short notice, I share them once again this week, as they appeared in the letter circulated by Mr Lo Cascio last Friday: 

• Students over the age of 12 and staff must comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services. This also applies to all public indoor venues such as retail, theatres, hospitals, aged care facilities and for front-of-house hospitality staff 
• Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks in schools will not be prevented from doing so.
• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting schools.  
• Events and gatherings on school sites, such as performances, productions, concerts, speech nights and award presentations are permitted. All attendees, including students, staff and visitors, including parents and carers, must be well and free of any flu-like symptoms. A COVID-19 Safety Plan is required if the event is held indoors with more than 100 external visitors or held outdoors with more than 200 external visitors. 
• Singing by audiences is to be avoided.  If students are performing in a choir that schools ensure there is a minimum of 5 metres between the choir and audience members. In the case of school masses, an individual who is integral to the conduct of the religious service (this person does not have to wear a mask) is permitted to sing. Singing by congregants at school masses is not permitted. 

Finally, and particularly given the events of the past week, a reminder regarding our ongoing COVID19 recording procedures for all families, which include: 

• Keeping your child home when they are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
• Informing the school immediately if your child is self-isolating or undergoing testing, and informing us of the result as soon as possible.

• Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, ensuring your child is free of symptoms and can present a negative COVID-19 test, before they return to school.

All the best for the week ahead,

David Cloran