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Dear parents and carers 

As you would be aware the Tasmanian Government has announced that the current restrictions in the Southern Region have been lifted.  

This means that from next week, Monday 25 October, our schools will resume usual operation with all students returning to school sites and face masks no longer being required.

It is important that we continue our COVID safe behaviours and encourage everyone to: 

• continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and coughing into your elbow
• maintain physical distancing where possible
• stay at home if you have any cold and flu symptoms and for parents to arrange a COVID test 
• use the Check In TAS Appif you enter a school site

To continue to keep up to date with information on the COVID in Tasmania please visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

Thank you all for your support and cooperation during this period.    

Stay safe  

Tim Bullard 

Secretary Department of Education

Dear Parents and Carers

My name is Andrea Dare and I have the privilege of filling in as Acting Principal while Linda is having two weeks leave after sadly losing her mother. We wish Linda and her family all the best at this sad time.

I would like to thank families for their cooperation during the recent lockdown. I’m so glad that we were able to welcome students back to school after only one day of learning from home. It was great to see students back in classes this morning, some wearing facemasks, and all ready to resume their learning.

Following the Health Departments directive, all school staff will be wearing facemasks this week and all other adults entering the school grounds will be required to do so also. Thank you for cooperating with this requirement.

We are looking forward to the Athletics Carnival which will be taking place next Tuesday. Mr Mitchell has organised a program with a variety of events to appeal to both our serious athletes and those who just like to have a go and have some fun! Please ensure you visit the check-in station to scan the QR code. We will have hand sanitiser available, and facemasks, should they still be required. I am looking forward to this wonderful community event where we can all come together to support our students in promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity.

As this week has been and short and disrupted week, a full newsletter will be issued next Friday, complete with Athletics Carnival news.

Kind regards

Andrea

Message to Parents:

Dear parents and carers 

As you would be aware the Tasmanian Government has announced that from 6PM this evening (18 October) the current lockdown in the Southern Region will be lifted.  

This means that from tomorrow, Tuesday 19 October, our schools will resume usual operation with all students returning to school sites.

Hygiene and Preventative Measures 

Public Health has announced some preventative health changes.  It will continue to be mandatory that facemasks be carried and worn when outside of the home for people aged 12 years and over until 6PM Friday 22 October. Based on findings from lockdowns in other states, the wearing of facemasks has been highly effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.  

All students in southern Tasmanian secondary and senior secondary schools (students in Years 7-12) will be required to wear a facemask while at school. 

Staff will also be required to wear a facemask.

There are some circumstances when they may be removed:

• communicating with a person who is deaf, or has impaired hearing, and visibility of the mouth is essential for the communication; and 
• clear enunciation, or visibility of the mouth, is essential as part of employment or training.
• when eating, drinking or taking medicine;
• if you are working, volunteering or studying in an indoor or outdoor space where there are no other persons present;
• (when you are alone in your personal vehicle, or when all the people present in the vehicle are members of your household).

If the facemask is removed for one of the above reasons, it must be put on again as soon as possible.

The expectation is that students and staff will have their own masks; however, if your child attends school and does not have one, the school will supply one from its stock.    

An exemption can apply for a student or staff member with a physical or mental health, illness, condition or disability that makes the wearing of a face mask unsuitable, subject to appropriate evidence being provided.

Schools will be required to meet Public Health directions, if a student does not comply with mask wearing they will be unable to remain on site.

In line with other current preventative measures we encourage everyone to: 

• continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and coughing into your elbow.
• maintain physical distancing where possible
• stay at home if you have any cold and flu symptoms and for parents to arrange a COVID test 
• ensure you are wearing a facemask if you leave the house
• if you enter a school site make sure you check in using the Check In TAS App

To continue to keep up to date with the situation please visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

We look forward to welcoming all students back to school tomorrow.  Thank you all for your support and cooperation during this period.    

Stay safe  

Tim Bullard 

Secretary Department of Education

If you are a parent or carer who is a permitted worker and you need to send your child to school today, we remind you that you that we will recommence our Stop, Drop and Go for pickup and drops off.  This means that you will be able to drop your child off at the school entrance on New Road and Church Street. We will have a staff member there to greet your child. 

Also a reminder that Public Health have adviced that during this time all people aged 12 and up must wear a mask. This will include during drop off / pick up. Please note that this does not include students in year 6 who have already turned 12. 

As all staff are required to wear masks, it may be a good idea to mention this to your child if they are coming to school today so they aren't surprised when they arrive. 

Take care, 

Franklin Primary

Letter to Parents – Southern COVID Lockdown 

Dear parents and carers 

As you would be aware, in an effort to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak the Tasmanian Government has announced that from 6PM Friday 15 October the Southern Region will enter a short lockdown period.  The current advice is that the lockdown is expected to end on Monday 18 October at 6PM.   As always, we are following advice from Public Health and should the lockdown period need to be extended, we will keep you updated. 

A short, sharp lockdown is designed to act as a circuit breaker on transmission and support contact tracing, in response to COVID-19 being detected in the community. 

We know that this is a concerning time for everyone.  However, we also know that because of our experience last year, we are in a very good position to work our way through this disrupted period while continuing to support student learning.     

Student Learning 

What this means is that:  

• Schools will remain open for students of permitted workers and those who are unable to be supervised or supported at home. Given the short timeframe, schools from kindergarten to year 10 will not be providing structured learning on Monday, however parents and carers may choose to access our Learning at Home website (link)
• On Monday, all senior secondary students (Years 11 and 12) will be supported to learn from home
• Should the lockdown period need to be extended further information relating to student learning will be provided

Hygiene and Preventative Measures 

During the lockdown period and until advice from Public Health changes, it is mandatory that face masks must be carried and worn when outside of the home for people aged 12 years and over.  Based on findings from lockdowns in other states, the wearing of face masks has been highly effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.  

In our schools students in our secondary and senior secondary schools (students in Years 7-10) will be required to wear a mask. Staff in all schools will be required to wear a mask.

For children attending in person, the expectation is that they will have their own masks; however, if your child attends school and does not have one, the school will supply one from its stock.    

In order to limit adults on our school sites, we will recommence our Stop, Drop and Go for pickup and drops off.  This means that you will be able to drop your child off at the school entrance, and the school will have plans in place to ensure your child moves to their class.  Please follow your school’s advice about where and when to safely drop off and collect your child.   

In line with other current preventative measures we encourage everyone to: 

• maintain physical distancing where possible
• stay at home if you have any cold and flu symptoms and for parents to arrange a COVID test 
• ensure you are wearing a mask if you leave the house
• if you enter a school site make sure you check in using the Check In TAS App
• continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and coughing into your elbow.

The DoE Alerts and the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus webpage are key sources of information if you need further advice.   

We are confident that we can get through this uncertain time together once again, and we look forward to welcoming all students back into our schools again soon. 

Thank you all for your support and cooperation during this challenging period.    

Stay safe  

Tim Bullard 

Secretary Department of Education

Dear Pre-Kinder Families,

Click here to view the September 24 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Click here to view the September 10 Schoolzine eNewsletter!