Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 3
COVID-19 is a new illness that is caused by a virus called coronavirus. Parents and carers are naturally worried about this new illness and the implications for their children and families. This is the third update written by the Headteacher. Please pay particular attention to the information relating to school absence.
Preventing infection
School staff are alert to the risk of infection and are taking measures to help keep children healthy. At this time, these measures include encouraging children to wash their hands regularly and to cough or sneeze into tissues, disposing of them in a bin thereafter. Children were taught about this during worship on Thursday 12 March 2020 and again on each of the days of the week commencing 16 March 2020. Examples of these lessons can be found at www.stteilos.com/news. It would be useful if you could reinforce the key themes of the lesson at home.
All toilet blocks in the school have two soap dispensers for use. These are checked each day to ensure they are functioning properly. In addition, the school has purchased bottles of high quality hand wash to be placed next to sinks. To date, a number of these have been stolen, damaged or interfered with. I implore families to discuss the importance of behaving responsibly to ensure that this hand wash remains available for others to use throughout the day.
A significant order for hand sanitiser was placed by the school on 29 February 2020 however, due to high demand, we are still awaiting delivery.
I would encourage parents and carers to provide their child with soap or a small bottle of hand wash to keep in their bag for use at break and lunch time, particularly. You should also ensure that your child brings equipment to school so that they are not required to borrow it from others.
School absence – Important
Parents and carers should keep children home from school if:
- Public Health Wales or NHS Direct Wales instruct your child to remain at home. You will be advised of the length of this absence.
- Your child presents with a fever and/or a continuous cough. The length of this absence should be 14 calendar days.
- Any member of your household presents with a fever and/or continuous cough. The length of this absence should be 14 calendar days.
- Your child has an underlying medical condition which increases risk if exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). You should seek the advice of your child’s GP in this circumstance.
Currently, official advice is that in all other circumstances your child should attend school as normal.
School trips and events
All planned school trips have been cancelled. Large gatherings, such as school assemblies, Year 7 Parent Consultation and the St Teilo’s Awards have been postponed. There will be no further sporting events. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
School closure
There are currently no plans to close the school. However, staff remain alert to the possibility of school closure in the future. A School Business Continuity Plan has been written and the first issue is available for parents and carers to read at www.stteilos.com/news. Further issues of the plan will be published as advice changes.
Advice for students
DO
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- Bring your own equipment to school; you should not borrow equipment form others
DO NOT
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Advice for parents and carers
DO
- Speak with your child about good hygiene, using the lesson contents provided
- Ensure your child knows not to remove, damage or interfere with soap dispensers in school
- Provide your child with tissues and soap or a small bottle of hand wash for personal use
- Provide you child with school equipment; they should borrow equipment from others
- Visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/ for the latest health updates
- Read the School Business Continuity Plan
DO NOT
- Do not be drawn into speculation or believe false information on social media
- Do not panic – the school will keep you updated
- Keep your child at home without good reason
Stay in touch
If you have concerns, you are invited to contact me directly at the school. You may email me at headteacher@stteilos.com or telephone me on 02920547180. Please be patient if I take some time to respond. This is, as you can imagine, a busy time.
The health and wellbeing of students and staff will remain my top priority. Please be reassured that I will do whatever is necessary to protect the interests of our school community and I will keep you updated at each stage.
Blessings,
Mr I Loynd
Headteacher
School Business Continuity Planning
School Business Continuity Planning – COVID-19 – Issue 1