Information about COVID-19

A General Statement for Winter Term 2020

At Macarthur the health, safety and welfare of our students and staff are our greatest priority closely followed by our continuity of educational service to the students. With these two priorities in mind, a number of protocols remain in place that impact some of the usual activities across the School. The overall intention of these protocols is, where it is within the School's control, to keep the School operational on a day-to-day basis so that face-to-face teaching and learning can continue.

Given the recent short term shut down of a local high school in the area and the likelihood of community connections with students from this and other schools through sport and other activities, Macarthur has readied itself for enacting protocols if NSW Health informs the School there is a COVID-19 positive test result within our community.

Parents should rest assured that plans are in place to communicate in such instances as efficiently and clearly as we are able. Direct email to parents and postings on this webpage will be the priority. Detailed plans are in place to deal with either the collection of students from the campus if the advice is received during a school day or to communicate with parents before School if the School is informed overnight.

The School urges parents keep their children at home if they are unwell and, if any symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 are present, to attend a clinic to be tested. It is noted that a clinic has been established at Camden Hospital for COVID-19 testing.

As Winter Term approaches, the School is maintaining its protocols that any non-essential gathering of non-Macarthur adults in large groups of over 20 people will not take place either on site or off site. Unfortunately this includes the attendance at events by parents and grandparents. The altered daily drop off and pick up arrangements continue and parents are requested not to enter the classroom areas or playground spaces of the School.

All large gatherings of students such as Assemblies and Chapel Services, as well as larger co-curricular gatherings will recommence in Winter Term, however, parents are not permitted to attend these events. Where possible the best social distancing protocols are in place and hand sanitiser is freely available in classrooms and throughout the campus. Each afternoon, a more thorough than usual cleaning and sanitisation process is being undertaken. In addition, after each Recess and Lunchtime, as well as after School, a further disinfection of play equipment and toilets is taking place.