16 Mar 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
In line with current advice from Department of Education and NSW Health, Figtree HS excursions will be postponed or cancelled and whole school assemblies will not take place for the time being as will any non-essential meetings and gatherings. This includes the Year 7 Meet and Greet planned for this Thursday, which we are now hoping to hold later in the year.
We will prepare a briefing for all students regarding sensible and safe behaviours in and out of school to be delivered in classrooms this week. Students will be informed about social distancing and adopting other practical hygiene practices, such as not sharing drink bottles. ‘Wash your hands’ reminders have already been posted in all toilet facilities.
Meanwhile my most important advice is to keep sick children at home. If your child has flu-like symptoms, then this is not the time to soldier on. Many a parent has looked at a child who's been a little bit marginal, and they've said come on, off you go … this is not the time for that now. Some further advice is provided below.
“Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear” (W. Shakespeare)
Dan Ovens,
Principal
Young people look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout the country stay healthy. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety.
Encourage your child to practice every day good hygiene—simple steps to prevent spread of illness:
- Wash hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds (singing Happy Birthday twice takes about 20 seconds).
- Cover their mouths with a tissue when they sneeze or cough and throw away the tissue immediately, or sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow.
- Do not share food or drinks.
- Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes. Fewer germs are spread this way.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Constantly watching updates on the status of COVID-19 on TV can increase anxiety—help them to avoid this and remind them that many stories on the Internet may be based on rumours and inaccurate information.
It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus. Bullying or negative comments made toward others should be stopped and reported to the school.