COVID-19 Updates

• We are actively monitoring and following health advice, including from NSW Health, NSW Department of Education, the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. 
• Our school activities and operations are adjusted regularly in accordance with health advice and local circumstances to ensure that they are conducted in a way that is safe and appropriate in the current environment. 
• We remain vigilant in relation to infection control, physical distancing and personal hygiene protocols to protect the health and safety of students, staff, visitors and members of our community. 
• All adults within our school including staff, parents, service providers and visitors are required to maintain appropriate physical distance from other people while on the school site. 
• Enhanced cleaning protocols remain in place throughout the school. 
• The school promotes good hand and respiratory hygiene practices including regular hand washing, avoiding shared food or drinks and appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette. 
• Soap, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes are widely available throughout the school. 
• Businesses and organisations delivering services and programs within our school must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan where relevant.
• Carnivals, sport and excursions off-site, along with on-site school events, ARE allowed to take place currently, and all events will have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. Students at school don’t need to socially distance, however staff are still required to.

• Students must NOT attend school if feeling unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms.
• NSW Health has advised that students and staff with flu-like symptoms need to be tested for COVID-19 and provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result and be symptom-free before being permitted to return to school.
• NSW Health has advised that students who have seasonal allergic rhinitis or another condition that presents similarly to flu-like symptoms are still required to get tested for COVID-19 and return a negative test result. Where symptoms continue beyond 10 days, students should provide documentation from their GP confirming their symptoms are typical for their condition. If the student develops new or changed symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19. 
• COVID-19 testing for students with complex health or disability may be challenging. In these situations, NSW Health has advised that the parent or carer should have their child assessed by their medical practitioner. Where a medical practitioner determines that a COVID-19 test is not required, documentation must be provided to the school to confirm that the student does not have symptoms that warrant a COVID-19 test. The certificate must also indicate that the student is able to return to school.
• We ask parents to stress to students, as indeed we will at school, that the COVID-19 crisis is not over and that even young people, for their own protection, should, as far as possible, continue to abide by reasonable physical distancing rules. Particularly, they should be encouraged to avoid the hugs and high fives that are so commonplace among young people. There will be a time for these signs of connection in due course, but that time is not now. 
• All students are encouraged to maintain excellent hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes with their elbow or a tissue, place used tissues straight into the bin, avoid touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth and not share food or drink.

Covenant has a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place for all external excursions and events. The following precautions will be taken:

• Whilst in transit, Covenant staff will socially distance from other adults.
• Buses used for student transportation will be cleaned between each use, including disinfection of high-touch surfaces. 
• Students must sanitise hands when they embark and disembark from buses.
• Students will be reminded and supervised to ensure appropriate distancing from members of the public.
• There will be no consumption of food whilst on public transport, and all rubbish (including tissues) will be removed. 
• Students who are unwell will not be permitted to attend the excursion/event. Students who become unwell whilst away from school will be sent home. 
• Sanitiser to be available for use as needed. 

• Do not attend the school site if you are unwell.
• Parents are welcome back on site! 
• Parents who are visiting Cafe Covie will need to sign in using the QR code at Cafe Covie. 
• The Playgrounds and Sand Pits remain out of bounds after the bell has rung in the morning at 8.43am and after 3.10pm.   
• Parents who are visiting the Uniform Shop will need to sign in using the QR code at the Uniform Shop.
• Parents who are coming onsite for curriculum purposes such as meeting with a teacher or another member of staff (appointment necessary), assisting with reading groups etc., are still required to sign in at the Office using the Service NSW QR code and the Covenant Visitor Sign In. Parents will need to exit the school once their meeting/task is complete.  
• Parents should ensure they exit the school by 3.10pm. 
• Group tours are now running. Visit the Book a Tour page for more information and to book a tour.