Covid update

In line with NSW Health and Government recommendations, we will no longer require staff students and visitors to wear masks at large assemblies or on-campus events held in bigger venues. 

The exception to this is people in high-risk categories (who are required to do so), or individuals who still prefer to wear masks under these circumstances.

We will now also resume the shaking of hands as a greeting and when congratulating or handing over awards. 

A reminder that the required isolation period is now five days, unless the individual still has symptoms. If you continue to have acute symptoms, such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, you are to remain in self-isolation for seven days from the day you did your test.

Dear Families and Students

I hope you are well and have been enjoying the lovely sunshine over the last few days. There is much joyful learning and fun today on campus, with Book Week celebrations having started. 

Masks

As promised, we are re-evaluating the wearing of masks weekly. Our case numbers are low and across Sydney case numbers are trending down. I am therefore pleased to announce the following:

• From tomorrow (Tuesday 22 August) staff, students (12 years and above) and visitors will no longer be required to wear a mask indoors
• Masks must still be worn by staff, students (12 years and above) and visitors when in large densely populated areas such as the PAC, unless there is a mask wearing exemption
• Masks are still required on all public transport and Danebank buses (unless exempted)
• All close household contacts continue to be required to wear masks in all indoor settings unless exempted (as per NSW Health expectations). 

We still strongly encourage wearing masks in all circumstances and will continue to monitor the situation and let you know about any changes, if required. 

Dear Families

I hope you are well and have enjoyed the weekend.

I am writing as a follow-up to my letter at the start of the term regarding the current spreading of winter viruses, including an increase in Covid cases. 

Continue wearing masks indoors

Since this situation is continuing and in our effort to continue in-person learning, students who are 12 years and over and all staff will continue to wear masks on campus when indoors (unless there is an exemption). Students who are 12 years and under are strongly encouraged to wear masks when indoors. We also require any visitors onsite to wear a mask whilst indoors. 

We will continue to monitor this situation on a weekly basis and I will inform you of any change of this requirement once such a decision is made.

Dr Emma Burgess, Principal

Planning for Winter: Covid and the Flu

With Covid, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases rapidly increasing, a reminder that staff and students are to stay at home when unwell. Students who display any such symptoms while at school, will have to be collected by parents and stay at home until they are well and symptom free. 

Students and staff to complete RAHT test tomorrow before school

Prior to attendance on Tuesday 19 July, students and staff will be required to undertake a RAHT test. Please ensure your daughter has completed a RAHT test on Tuesday morning. If there is a positive result, please follow NSW Health Advice and stay home for the necessary time of isolation. 

Mindful of the increasing case numbers and in an effort to continue to operate in a face-to-face capacity, for the first two weeks of term, the school will require students who are 12 years and over and staff to wear masks indoors (unless there is an exemption), in line with NSW Health advice. We strongly encourage students under 12 years to also wear masks indoors. Students who use Danebank buses and public transport are to continue to wear masks when using these. We will monitor case numbers and change this requirement as appropriate. 

We remain in Phase 4 of our Danebank Return to On-Campus Learning Plan. As previously, school activities will be reviewed in the light of NSW Health and Education advice and the associated level of risk of transmission. Accordingly, some activities may be modified in order to minimise risk and others may be postponed or cancelled. 

Our Health Action Plan remains in place with some modifications. 

Please note: 

• The Covid re-infection timing has changed to four weeks (down from 12) due to the sub-variants now circulating. 
• It is important to maintain hand hygiene. 
• NSW Health are strongly encouraging vaccination of both flu and Covid. Please be encouraged to consider this for your family, seeking medical advice. 
• Please continue to notify the school should your daughter test positive for Covid-19. 

Dear Families 

It has been a pleasure welcoming you all back to campus this week. The girls have been enjoying their learning and being together again. Our Music Camp students, by all accounts so far, have had a wonderful time developing their musicality and connection as members of ensembles. We are looking forward to hearing the girls perform some of the pieces practised at our Twilight Evening on Friday 6 May. 

Covid Updates 

As communicated earlier this week, there have been some changes to the Covid Household Contact guidelines. The following applies to all in our Danebank community, including students, staff, contractors and visitors to our campus. 

What is the definition of a household/close contact? 

A household contact is a person who lives with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. A close contact is someone who has been formally notified by NSW Health that they are a close contact. 

What are the requirements for household/close contacts? 

From 6pm on Friday April 22, household/close contacts do not need to self-isolate if they do not have any symptoms, but must follow the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines for 7 days from the last time someone in their household tested positive for Covid-19. 

Do household/close contact have to notify the school? 

Yes. The NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines require students and staff members to notify the school if they are a household/close contact. 

Please notify the school via this google form. 

What happens if a student is identified as a household contact? Can they attend school during their isolation period? 

The NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines state that a person who is a household/close contact should work or study from home where practicable. 

Students who test positive for Covid-19 or are unwell or showing Covid-19 symptoms must inform the school and continue to isolate at home. 

In line with our Health Action Plan, students who have symptoms, even if testing negative, must remain at home. 

A student identified as a household or close contact may return to school if NSW Health guidelines are followed. The guidelines include: 

• No Covid or flu like symptoms
• A daily rapid antigen test for 5 school days. Students should complete a Covid-19 rapid antigen test and receive a negative result before attending school. Negative results do not need to be reported to the school. 
• NSW Health requires household/close contacts over the age of 12 to wear a mask while in an indoor setting outside of the home if they are not isolating. This includes Senior School students attending the school site while they are a household/close contact. Some mask exemptions continue to apply (such as a physical or mental health condition or disability that makes wearing a mask unsuitable, or when eating or drinking). Junior School students who are household contact are recommended to wear a mask indoors (except when eating or exercising).

RAHT Kits 

Schools are receiving additional RAHT kits for students and staff. We will notify you when these are available. 

Does every household/close contact have to follow the NSW Health Guidelines? 

A student or staff member does not have to follow the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines in the following circumstances:

• If they have had confirmed Covid-19 in the last 12 weeks 
• If they have not been in contact with the person who tested positive to Covid-19 while they were infectious. People are infectious from either 48 hours before they have symptoms, or if they do not have symptoms, from 48 hours before they test positive. They may have had no contact because they were away from home (e.g. on a school camp), or were effectively isolating from them (e.g. they live in a granny flat or other separate area of the home). 

Finally, please be encouraged that this week our Covid case numbers remain low. Please refer to our page on our Covid Portal that continues to have all our up-to-date information about Covid cases in the Danebank community. 

Dear Families,

Currently NSW Health and education authorities are planning for winter in relation to Covid, which includes planning for the flu season. The flu season this year is expected to be worse than in previous years.

Accordingly, our Health Action Plan remains in place with some modifications. We continue to require that students, staff and visitors are not to attend the Danebank campus if they are experiencing any flu-like or Covid symptoms. 

At this stage, advice is continuing to maintain hand hygiene and NSW Health is encouraging the community to get vaccinated against both Covid and the flu. We encourage you to consider this for your family, seeking medical advice. 

Covid restrictions

You are probably aware that the NSW government has announced further relaxations of Covid rules. 

At Danebank, as we consider how this news will apply to our community, please be assured that, as always, the continuity of excellent learning opportunities, along with prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our community, will be at the forefront of all our decisions.

We anticipate that, as per last term, schools will continue to have the flexibility to “dial up” and “dial down” risk-mitigation strategies (such as mask-wearing) by choosing to introduce, reintroduce, or relax Covid-smart measures for periods of time in response to case numbers in our school and the local community. 

Activities 

We remain in Phase 4 of our Danebank Return to On-Campus Learning Plan.

As per Term 1, school activities will be reviewed in the light of NSW Health and Education advice and the associated level of risk of transmission. Accordingly, some activities may be modified in order to minimise risk and others may be postponed or cancelled. 

Masks

We understand that wearing face masks does seem to be effective in reducing rates of infection in the school setting, so as Term 2 commences, we are strongly recommending wearing face masks indoors and outdoors. 

Masks are required for all Years 6-12 and staff when in large groups, such as assemblies or weekly Chapel. 

Masks are required on public transport for staff and Senior School students, as well as being strongly encouraged for Junior School students. 

We will monitor rates of infection in our school community and will reintroduce wearing masks indoors in classrooms for students, particularly if we are seeing rising cases in our school community.

Notifying the School of Positive Cases 

Please continue to notify the school should your daughter test positive for Covid-19. 

NSW Health Household and Close Contacts Guidelines

The Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order was updated on 22 April 2022 to amend the isolation requirements for household/close contacts, no longer requiring a household/close contact to self-isolate, provided they can comply with some NSW Health guidelines to minimise risk. These guidelines include self isolating if you have symptoms and wearing a mask indoors. Please refer to this link. 

In addition, NSW Health advice is that if a person has had confirmed Covid in the last 12 weeks and become a household/close contact within these 12 weeks, they do not need to comply with the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines. Once this 12 week period ends, individuals are subject to the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines. Also note that NSW Health requires students who are over 12 years of age to wear a mask when in an indoor setting that is not their own home, including school. 

It is still necessary to notify the school if your daughter is the close/household contact of someone who has tested positive. Please follow this link to notify the school.

I encourage you to visit the NSW Health page providing Covid-19 advice for parents and students for more information and further links. 

RAHT (Rapid Antigen Home Test) Kits for Schools 

Following the announcement on 20 April 2022 regarding changes to the isolation requirements for household/close contacts, AISNSW is working with the NSW Department of Education to ensure all independent schools receive an additional direct delivery of RAHT kits to provide to staff and students. This supply will contain one multipack for every student and staff member. 

We anticipate that the delivery to schools will be completed within the first few weeks of term and will communicate with you when they will be sent home. 

Wellbeing and Support 

Our Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Lisa Vos, will continue to coordinate support for girls who are isolating at home due to a positive result. She liaises with staff and families as needed, bringing consistency in communication. Mrs Vos will communicate directly with Senior School students once the school has received notification. In Junior School, individual teachers will be notified so they can support students in their absence. Please contact [email protected] for any queries or concerns related to this.  

Information about how we will support students unable to attend school due to being a household contact (with symptoms) or having tested positive with Covid-19 can be found on our Covid-19 portal. Here are the respective links:

• Senior School
• Junior School

Dear Families

I hope that you are well. 

It has been a pleasure being back on campus, meeting with the girls and once again joining various Danebank events such as the Senior School Shave for a Cure held in Federation Square at lunchtime. 

Due to the continuously high Covid case numbers in the Sydney community and a slow but steady increase in numbers among our students and staff, we will reintroduce the wearing of masks as a risk-mitigation strategy until the end of term. When indoors, Danebank is:

• Requiring masks for all staff  
• Requiring masks for students in Year 6 to 12
• Strongly encouraging masks for students in Pre-K to Year 5

As previously, special consideration will be given to staff where enunciation is impossible for learning when wearing masks and those who are exempt from wearing masks will continue to be so. 

By reintroducing the wearing of masks until the end of term, we endeavour to stem further increase in cases among our students and staff and in doing so, avoid the possible need for distance learning. Hopefully, in addition, families will also be able to enjoy a healthy school holiday.

Dear Families,

I hope you are all well today. I am writing about Danebank’s continued management of Covid-19 to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing for our community.  

Health Action Plan and Staying Home When Unwell

Although we have no reason for immediate concern, we would like to remind you of the School’s Health Action Plan, drafted in accordance with information and advice received from NSW Health.

As has been the case since the start of the pandemic, and so that we may care for our girls, staff and wider community, we request that if your daughter is unwell with flu-like symptoms (regardless of the result of a RAHT test), you keep her home from school and seek medical attention.

Please also ensure that any positive cases or household contacts are not sent to school for the duration of the seven day isolation period.

Please inform the school of the absence through our Covid notification forms:

• Notification of COVID-19 Positive Test (Student)

• Notification of COVID-19 Close/Household Contact (Student)

If any of our students present with symptoms whilst at school, parents will be notified and, if appropriate, asked to collect their daughter from school to seek medical attention.

It is very important that your daughter remains at home until symptoms clear and she has fully recovered.

We appreciate your consideration and continued cooperation as we endeavour to keep our community well.

We continue to strongly encourage the wearing of masks when indoors. 

Danebank Covid-19 Cases

We continue our always-cautious approach in determining risk-mitigation measures for the safety of our community. We also continue to monitor weekly Covid case numbers and respond with additional risk-mitigation measures as necessary. 

In Week 5 (last week) the numbers of positive Covid cases were at 3.6% of our total student population. Daily Covid case numbers continue to be reported to our community, in our Covid portal. 

One additional measure, instituted by the Danebank Covid Committee, is for the reintroduction of compulsory mask-wearing in classes or year groups if and where there is an increasing number of positive cases. 

At the moment, based on a slow increase in positive case numbers in Year 8 and 9 over the past seven days, we are asking that Years 8 and 9 now wear masks until the end of Week 7 (next week). Teachers for these year groups are also asked to wear masks. 

We also strongly encourage all other year groups to wear masks and require that all students bring a mask to school to be worn at large school gatherings.

In addition to this, we encourage you to consider postponing large gatherings of families or students outside of school, to a later time in the year when transmission numbers in the community are not so high.

RAHT (Rapid Antigen Home Test) Kits

We understand from some feedback shared this week that the saliva tests, as provided by the NSW Government, are at times possibly giving false results. We encourage you, if your daughter exhibits any symptoms and you are questioning the validity of the RAHT result, to seek a PCR test and/ or medical attention. We also encourage PCR tests when the individual is unvaccinated, or has underlying health conditions that put them at risk of severe illness from Covid-19, as per NSW Health guidelines. 

Wellbeing and Learning Support

We continue to support students and families, with our Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Vos contacting families as needed. 

Senior School Assessments 

Senior School students who are at home and may have an upcoming assessment, should complete the illness and misadventure procedure.

Student Vaccination Information Update

I encourage you to please continue to inform the school when your child is vaccinated. As with other private information, for example, the vaccination information shared at enrolment, this documentation will be treated and stored confidentially and only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school.

Thank you again for your ongoing support as we continue to care for our community.

Dear Families

As shared earlier in the week, the below communication outlines Danebank’s response to the latest changes and easing of  Covid regulations for schools. We are encouraged that the reason for the easing of NSW Health and Government restrictions is a continuing reduction in the numbers of Covid cases in our community. 

As always our response is cautious and measured. We carefully consider the latest advice with the wellbeing and safety of our students and community at the forefront of all decisions. 

Danebank Covid Cases

Please be encouraged that the positive case numbers in our community remain low. The latest information about Covid cases in our school can be found on this page on our Covid Portal. 

Please complete this form should your daughter test positive, or this form if she is a household contact of a Covid-positive case. 

Wellbeing and Support 

Our Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Lisa Vos, will continue to coordinate support for girls who are isolating at home due to a positive result or being a household contact. Mrs Vos is the first port of call and contacts families and students once the school has received notification. She liaises with staff and families, bringing consistency of communication. Please contact l[email protected] for any queries or concerns related to this.  

Information about how we will support students unable to attend school due to being a household contact or having tested positive with Covid-19 can be found on our Covid-19 portal. Here are the respective links:

• Senior School

• Junior School

RAHT (Rapid Antigen home Test) Kits

We have received our final batch of RAHT kits from NSW Health, which are being sent home with students today.

Students are no longer required to carry out tests every Monday and Wednesday morning as has been happening over the first four weeks of this term. 

Instead, these tests are available for you to use, at your discretion upon onset of symptoms. This change aligns schools with the community setting of “symptomatic testing”. The government recommends that, after this, symptomatic students access PCR tests and store-purchased RAHT kits.

Health Action Plan 

Please remember that our Health Action Plan continues to stay in place, so do refresh your memory by visiting the portal.

We encourage you though, to always refer to NSW Health for the most up-to-date advice or to phone NSW Health: 13 77 88. 

Masks 

Current advice indicates that: 

• From Monday 28 February, masks will no longer be required for staff or students in the Senior School. 

• From Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for staff in the Junior School. 

Danebank will adhere to this advice by not mandating the wearing of masks, but we do strongly encourage their use by students and staff.

Students are still required to wear masks when using public transport and Danebank’s minibuses.

Cohorting

The Premier also announced that there is no longer a need for schools to implement cohorting of students. Whilst this is the case, Danebank will consider this on a case by case basis. 

Visitors to campus

We continue to maintain a cautious approach to ensure Covid transmission in our community remains low. We are aware that the NSW Government has indicated parents are allowed back on campus as of next week, and over time, we look forward to reconnecting in this way. Further information about our arrangements and plans for parent events will follow in due course. 

Whilst this is not mandated by the NSW Government, when on campus, we would prefer that parents wear a mask. 

Activities 

Danebank continues to plan and re-introduce activities in a Covid-safe way by implementing school-based risk assessment processes and risk mitigation to enable continuity of education and to support well-being. Please refer to the previous communication regarding this  and remember, if you wish to opt out of the above (prefer that your daughter NOT participate in any activities) please register that opt-out choice, on this form.

Dear Families 

I trust this letter finds you all really well having enjoyed the weekend. 

Covid Safe School Measures 

I am writing to you about the Premier’s announcement on Thursday 17 February about staggered changes to NSW Covid settings in the next fortnight. 

At this stage, we have received confirmation that the current Covid safe school measures as required by the NSW Government and authorities continue to apply at least until Friday 25 February including: 

• The NSW Cabinet decision that masks are required in indoor school settings for staff and secondary school students, as well as being strongly encouraged for primary students. 

• The use of RAHTS for surveillance testing. 

We will communicate later this week, as soon as we hear any further changes. 

Covid Case Reporting 

Please be encouraged that the positive case numbers in our community remain low. Last week, positive cases represented 1.9% of our total student population. 

From this week, the School will be utilising a page on our Covid Portal that will have all our up to date information about Covid cases in the Danebank community. Rather than continuing to notify you by sending an email for every confirmed case, we will share an overview of case numbers each week on this page. 

Dear Families

I am writing to you regarding our efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, whilst maintaining high quality learning experiences as we slowly and safely reintroduce some co-curricular activities. 

As previously mentioned in my communication to you on 24 January, Danebank is taking a highly cautious approach to our learning and activities on campus for the safety of our students, staff and community. 

Danebank’s Covid Safe Plan is in place and every excursion, incursion, co-curricular or extra curricular activity undergoes a robust risk assessment process before proceeding. Our Covid Risk Committee currently meets twice a week to review the proposals using NSW Health and Education advice and considers the associated level of risk of transmission. 

The Covid Risk Committee then advises on the safety of each event and ensures careful risk mitigating strategies are in place before any activity proceeds. In line with this, some activities in Term 1 will be modified to minimise risk, while others may not proceed.

In addition, all volunteers, consultants or contractors must be fully vaccinated as per the Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Education and Care Workers) Order (No 2) 2021 of 23 December 2021 (PHO), and RAHT tests are completed before events proceed. 

The modified Careers Expo is a good example of this. Danebank requires that, apart from having a Working With Children Check, all stall-holders at the upcoming Careers Expo for Years 10 to 12 must also be fully vaccinated and complete a RAHT test on the morning of the event before coming on site. The Expo itself is a modified event, according to the Risk Assessment and corresponding plan. Examples of the measures in place to minimise risk include student cohorting, stall holders adequately spaced in the PAC (which is open, well ventilated and spacious), wearing of masks and using hand sanitizer. 

Notwithstanding this, there remains some risk associated with Covid-19 as your daughter participates in events such as, but not limited to: 

• Excursions which may occur off-site at external venues 
• Incursions such as events on Danebank’s campus 
• Sports and all other external and internal sporting opportunities, either on or off campus
• Extra and co-curricular activities, such as singing, music ensembles, dancing, debating, robotics 

We ask that you read the acknowledgement statement below.  

I acknowledge that events will be held in accordance with any current NSW Health COVID-19 Public Health Orders and in accordance with School policies and procedures. I acknowledge and accept that there is a risk that my child may be exposed to COVID-19 whilst attending and participating in events. I confirm that my child will not attend if displaying any symptoms of illness, and/or directed to isolate under public health orders.

 Should you want to opt out (prefer that your daughter NOT participate in any activities) please register that opt-out choice, on this form.

Dear Families

As we near the end of our first week back on campus under new conditions with Covid circulating in our community, I thank you for your continued goodwill and positive support. 

Once again with the uncertainties of the pandemic, we face many unfamiliar challenges and changes, and these affect us all in many different ways. 

We also acknowledge that NSW Health advice is changing daily. This was seen yesterday in the example used in my communication to you, to illustrate that some students may need to isolate at home for more than seven days. Unfortunately, the advice that the example was based upon, was already obsolete at the time of publication. Given this is the case, we do encourage you to always refer to NSW Health for the most up to date advice on isolation periods or phone NSW Health: 13 77 88. 

We remain deeply committed to providing the best possible education for our students and, as always, are placing their needs and the wellbeing of our community first. 

To this end, we will institute a number of new processes to ensure seamless support with excellent communication and care. These processes are in relation to: 

• Families notifying the School of a positive case or a household contact. 

• The School notifying families of a positive case. 

• Ensuring excellent support for all students impacted by Covid (as a positive case or household contact) through our Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Lisa Vos. 

• Ensuring, where needed, appropriate learning opportunities for girls who may be unable to attend school due to being a household contact or having tested positive for Covid-19.

Families notifying the School of a positive case or a household contact 

If your daughter develops Covid-19 symptoms, even mild, she is not to attend school, as per our Health Action Plan, and must follow NSW Health Guidelines.

To ensure there is no confusion, we have now created two separate forms for Covid notifications. These forms are now found at the top of Covid portal for ease in the future. 

From today:  

• Student who tests positive: Please complete this form  to notify the school should your daughter test positive for Covid-19.

• Student who is a household contact: Please complete this form to notify the school if your daughter is a household contact of a Covid-positive case.

If your daughter was first a household contact and then tests positive whilst in isolation, please do complete the Notification of Covid-19 Positive Test form to notify the School promptly. This will assist us in supporting her wellbeing and care. 

Danebank notifying families of a positive case 

When the School receives notification of a positive case in a year group, we will notify relevant families at the end of the day, via email. 

Whilst your daughter will not be considered a close contact, advice from NSW Health and the School is that she should monitor for symptoms and be tested for Covid-19 should symptoms develop.

Coordinated support for families 

Teachers continue to deliver our high quality curriculum through excellent learning experiences, under extremely challenging circumstances. Once again, they are going over and above, and I thank them for their efforts. 

To support our staff and ensure best care and learning for all students, our Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Lisa Vos, will coordinate support for girls who are isolating at home due to a positive result or being a household contact. 

Mrs Vos will be the first port of call and will contact families and students once the school has received notification. She will liaise with staff and families, bringing consistency of communication. Please contact [email protected] for any queries or concerns related to this.  

Learning opportunities for girls in isolation

Information about how we will support students unable to attend school due to being a household contact or having tested positive with Covid-19 can be found on our Covid-19 portal. Here are the respective links:

• Senior School

• Junior School

I am so encouraged by the faithfulness of our God and the continued support and strength of our community. I trust your weekend is enjoyable for you all and look forward to seeing you on Monday for our next week of learning.

Yesterday the Premier, Dominic Perrottet, together with NSW Education released the NSW Return to School Roadmap which provides the broad parameters around the return to school. 

We are pleased to see that the NSW Government is committed to ensuring school operations continue while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of students and school staff. 

Danebank Return to School 2022

As previously shared, we are looking forward to welcoming students, staff and our community back to our campus for the new year on the dates previously planned. 

As we consider how the NSW Return to School Roadmap plans apply to our community, please be assured that, as always, the continuity of excellent learning opportunities, along with prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our community, will be at the forefront of all our decisions.

We acknowledge that, with Omicron, transmission levels are high and we are aware that many of our families have been affected in this wave. We are somewhat reassured by the reports of milder impacts, the effectiveness of the vaccines and indications that children, as a general rule, are experiencing either no or very mild symptoms. 

Notwithstanding this, Danebank will not be taking a complacent approach. Rather, we will continue our calm, well considered and informed, and measured approach as we deliver high quality teaching and learning amidst the ongoing Covid pandemic. 

I encourage you to visit the NSW Health page providing Covid-19 advice for parents and students for more information and further links. 

Phase 4 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan 

We remain in Phase 4 of our Danebank Return to On-Campus Learning Plan.

This means that whilst we will return to face-to-face learning for all year groups, five days a week, we are continuing with our Covid safeguards. This also means that school activities will be reviewed in the light of NSW Health and Education advice and the associated level of risk of transmission. Accordingly, some activities may be modified in order to minimise risk and others may be postponed or cancelled. 

Term 1, Weeks 1-5 

The next four to five weeks are predicted to bring a peak of Covid transmission in the NSW community. As a consequence, we will be taking a highly cautious approach to our learning and activities on campus for the safety of our students, staff and community. 

A number of specific safeguards are outlined below. Some of these measures mirror those in Term 4 2021 and others differ.

What remains the same?

Health Action Plan

Our Health Action Plan remains in place with some modifications. 

Additional cleaning continues along with the provision of hand sanitizer in each room to ensure a safe environment for our community.

Students and staff are not to attend school if unwell or with any Covid symptoms. Students who present as unwell or with Covid symptoms will be sent home.

Please take the time to peruse the Health Action Plan and become familiar with its content.

Vaccinations

The requirement for all school staff to be fully vaccinated, unless there is a rare exemption as per the Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Education and Care Workers) Order (No2) 2021, remains unchanged. It is anticipated that the definition of “fully vaccinated” will be updated to include the third dose (booster shot).

We strongly encourage all students and their families to get vaccinated. Children aged five to eleven can now get vaccinated and parents and carers are encouraged to book their child in for a vaccination at the first available opportunity.

I encourage you to please inform the school when your child is vaccinated by completing this form. As with other private family information, for example the vaccination information shared at enrolment, this documentation will be treated and stored confidentially and only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school.  

Masks

The protocols for wearing masks have not changed since the end of Term 4 2021.

Masks provide an important first line of defence in minimising transmission and continue to be required in indoor settings and on public transport for staff and senior school students, as well as being strongly encouraged for junior school students. 

It is also recommended that masks are worn outdoors. 

Ventilation

We now understand that fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise risk of transmission. Danebank will continue to use outdoor spaces where possible, along with ensuring that cross ventilation occurs and fresh air is circulated among all classrooms and common areas. This includes the following measures: 

• Open windows and doors where applicable, even if air conditioners are used 

• Continuous testing of air quality in classrooms

• The use of air purifiers as required

All air-conditioner filters have been changed and had their settings updated to maximise the outdoor air intake rather than using recycled air. 

In addition to the above, we have several CO2 monitors placed throughout the School to monitor air quality and have Air Purifiers with HEPA filters ready to be deployed in the event that any rooms become a concern. 

Cohorting and Physical Distancing

As in Term 4, Danebank will continue to apply cohorting strategies to minimise the risk of transmission amongst year groups. This entails limiting interaction between groups of students and staff where appropriate and as possible.

Further information regarding this will be communicated via your Head of School. 

Whilst NSW Health has advised that physical distancing of 2 square metres is no longer required within schools, Danebank will continue to promote physical distancing where-ever practicable.

What continues but with slight changes? 

Visitors

Visitors on campus will be kept to a minimum other than to support essential school activities or student needs. 

At this stage, Danebank will only be allowing parents (Kindergarten, Year 7 and new families) on site for Orientation Day, this Friday. Visitors will be required to be in outdoor areas and wear masks. 

Parents of new students will receive a letter with details about Orientation Day arrangements shortly. 

Sign-In when on campus

NSW Health has advised that signing in to the NSW Service app at reception is no longer required.

Danebank continues, however, to require that visitors sign in at reception through our school’s Who’s On Location system. 

On-campus learning

While it is anticipated that schools across NSW may experience a reduction in staffing in the weeks ahead, ensuring continuity of education is crucial.

Danebank has planned for layered protocols for managing staff shortages to ensure student safety and continuity of on-campus learning, as possible.

Some students may be required to isolate as a result of a positive test or due to being a household contact. In these instances, Danebank will endeavour to support their learning from home. More details about being a household contact below.

Students in High-risk Health Categories 

Danebank continues to acknowledge that there are some parents, staff and students who have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

At this stage, the School remains open and will not make individual arrangements to deliver our Distance Learning Plan to students who do not attend school. 

In the Senior School, teachers may share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page (with additional care for students in Years 11 and 12). Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may share information regarding learning for the day. 

In the Senior School, please contact your Year Coordinator and in the Junior School, please contact your classroom teacher if this applies to you and for arrangements to be made. 

Specific Activities

As mentioned above, some activities in Term 1 will be modified to minimise risk, while others may not proceed.

Senior School Swimming Carnival

The Senior School Swimming Carnival scheduled for Tuesday 1 February will not be running as originally planned. Instead, a carefully modified Swimming Carnival for Competitors (with a limited number of students, who will be distanced and strictly cohorted) will be held on the day. Usual learning activities will continue for the remainder of the Senior School on campus. 

Further communication regarding this and the Year 7 camp will follow from Head of Senior School, Mrs Tiina Hufton.

What has changed?

Rapid Antigen Testing kits

A new, key safety measure for schools will be the use of Rapid Antigen Testing, with all staff and students expected to return a negative RAHT result prior to returning to school. All consequent tests are to be performed every Monday and Wednesday morning before school.

This afternoon, Danebank received an initial two-week supply of rapid antigen home test (RAHT) kits for all students and staff.  

Collecting test kits from Danebank

Specific details regarding the arrangements for pick-up and roll-out of RAHT kits will be sent tomorrow in the letter from our respective Heads of School.

• New Families: To conduct these tests before attending Orientation Day activities on Friday 28 January, we request that parents of Kindergarten, Year 7 and other new students collect a test kit on Thursday.  

• Other families: All remaining families are to collect their kits on Friday. Families who have test kits available, are welcome to use their own supply to avoid travelling to the campus. Please perform the RAHT test on Monday morning before school. 

A reminder that you only have to inform the school of any Covid-positive results, not about any negative results.  

Briefly now, regarding positive or negative test results

What if a student or staff member tests negative?

If the student or staff member tests negative, it is safe to come back to school. There is no need to share the result with the school.

What if a student or staff member tests positive?

Any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 is required to follow NSW Health requirements. Currently, the requirements are:

• Isolate for seven days following the positive test

• Leave isolation after seven days if no symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath)

• If there are symptoms after seven days, then remain in isolation until 24 hours after symptoms have resolved. 

Staff and students who return a positive RAHT result must register it on the Service NSW app or service.nsw.gov.au website as soon as possible.

Staff and students who receive a positive PCR or RAHT result must inform the school as soon as possible as required by the Public Health (COVID-19 Self Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021. 

To inform Danebank of a positive test, we have created a Google Form for parents to complete. 

As always, the School treats this information with confidentiality and is only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school.

Danebank will communicate to parents and carers about the presence and impact of COVID-19 in our community.  

What if staff or students test positive over non-term time? Do we need to notify the school?

The PHO requires staff and students who test positive to notify the school. Responsibility for these notifications lies with the individual, rather than schools having to follow up. Please use this Google Form.

Covid Contacts

There have been changes to NSW Health contact-tracing processes for close contacts, with the introduction of “household contacts”, people who live with someone who has Covid-19.

Only household contacts are required by NSW Health to isolate (unless there is an exemption). Previously, those who had been with a positive case for four or more hours were also considered a close contact, however this no longer makes someone a close contact, with only household contacts being listed as close contact.

Any other individual who has had contact with a Covid-positive person is not required to isolate but is advised by NSW Health to assess the level of risk of the contact and respond accordingly. This means any exposure to Covid at school or socially does not result in a person being a close contact.

What if someone in your household tests positive?

In this case, your daughter is a close / household contact.

A student who is a household contact is required to have a RAHT test immediately and to isolate for seven days unless the student has, in the past 28 days, tested positive to Covid and had ended her isolation for that infection.

If your daughter is a close / household contact, please inform the school as soon as possible via the usual email, (Senior School: [email protected] and Junior School: [email protected]), specifically indicating that she is isolating as a close contact. As usual for absences, you will receive a daily email from the Edumate parent portal to which you have to respond on the portal, indicating the reason for her absence. Please also contact either your Year Coordinator (in the case of Senior School students) or your classroom teacher (for Junior School students) to make arrangements for learning. 

A student can return to school once she has tested negative for Covid on day 6 after the initial test on day 1 and if she does not display any Covid symptoms.

Will the school close the campus if there is a positive case in the community?

Adhering to NSW Health advice, Danebank will no longer close the campus if there is a report of a positive case in the Danebank school community.

Will there be contract tracing if there is a positive case in the Danebank school community?

Based on NSW Health Advice, contact tracing will not be done should there be a positive Covid case in the school community.

Please be encouraged to access the Danebank Covid portal, where you will find all of our Covid-safe information. 

As we approach the new year, let us place our trust in the Lord and be encouraged by the strength of our community. I am confident we will continue as before, navigating the challenges of Covid together and well. 

Dear Families

The warmest welcome to you to 2022. I hope you have stayed well and have had a relaxing break.

I have recorded an initial message of assurance and welcome on video as I’m sure you will all be thinking about the return of school, particularly in light of the current Covid situation. Please view it here.

Please be on the lookout later this week for our HSC results newsletter and, in due course, my letter outlining our aspirational plans for 2022 and start of year arrangements including Covid specific details.

Illness and misadventure procedure: 

1. If a student is absent on the day of an assessment, it is important to email the class teacher or the Head of Department to let them know that she will be absent for that assessment. 
2. Collect evidence to support the absence, in Years 7-9 this can be a note from a parent or a Medical Certificate. For Years 10-12, this must be a Medical Certificate. In the case of Covid, evidence of a positive RAHT test or PCR test is appropriate. If the misadventure is for another reason, the student will need to provide evidence of the misadventure. 
3. Download a copy of the illness / misadventure form from iDanenet (or collect a hard copy from outside Ms Nunn’s office on the ground floor of Wingara, if the student has returned to school). 
4. Fill out the form AND go to see the Head of Department for the assessment the student has missed to gain the Head of Department’s signature and instructions for when the student will sit the task. It is essential that a student sits any missed tasks so that she can gain important feedback on that topic along with the other students.
5. Attach evidence (from point 2) to the form.
6. Return the completed form and evidence to the silver box outside Ms Nunn’s office on the ground floor of Wingara.
7. Sit the task at the time arranged by the Head of Department.

At report time, The Academic Committee compares the result the student gained in the catch-up assessment to her rank estimate. This is to assess whether she was performing at her usual ability level. If there is a significant difference between this assessment result and the previous combined ranked results over the year, the school employs a rank estimate.

What is a rank estimate?

It is not an “average”. A rank estimate is generated by looking at all the other assessments the student has completed in the subject this year, and calculating her overall rank. An estimate is created that maintains her rank for the task that was missed. 

This means the student is not disadvantaged for having sat the task at a different time and under different circumstances. 

Questions?

Please contact Ms Nunn, Head of Curriculum Innovation:

[email protected]

Vaccinations

• UPDATE: The NSW Public Health Order (PHO) of 23 September 2021 and the Public Health (COVID-19 Vaccination of Education and Care Workers) Order (No 2) 2021 of 23 December 2021 (PHO) expired on 13 May 2022, thus making the requirement for all school staff to be fully vaccinated, no longer mandatory.
• We continue to strongly encourage all students, staff and their families to get vaccinated. Children aged five to eleven can now get vaccinated and parents and carers are encouraged to book their child in for a vaccination at the first available opportunity.
• We encourage you to please inform the school when your child is vaccinated by completing this form. As with other private family information, for example the vaccination information shared at enrolment, this documentation will be treated and stored confidentially and only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school.  
• The Anglican Schools Corporation (ASC) encourage all staff and eligible students to be vaccinated from infectious diseases, where possible, and will support employees and, where appropriate, students and their families/cares, to make informed decisions regarding vaccinations.
• Danebank advises ASTP drivers to provide up to date Covid vaccination certificates.

Ventilation

• The School has undertaken an air quality audit and will continue to monitor air quality.
• Where required, air purifiers have been installed.
• The School requires that windows and doors are open to ensure good air flow (even if air conditions are being used).
• Air conditioner filters have been serviced and settings updated to maximise outside air intake.

Cohorting and Physical Distancing

The PHO currently prescribes no density limits for schools.

As an extra measure, we recommend and practice physical distancing:

• We strongly recommend that all on site practice physical distancing.
• Where possible, larger classrooms, verandas and break-out rooms will be used.
• Where possible we adjust the layout of the room to enable physical distancing.
• Where possible we conduct gatherings outdoors or in indoor spaces with good ventilation
• We adjust our programs to minimise mingling
• Our visitor sign in areas are contactless
• Chairs are removed from areas where crowding may occur to reduce loitering.

Visitors

All students, staff, contractors and visitors attending school or school related activities should be feeling well and do not have any respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms

• We expect contractors and visitors sign into ‘Who’s on location’ and acknowledge that they have no COVID-19 symptoms.
• All students, staff, contractors and visitors must follow Danebank’s Health Action Plan

Staff can access the latest COVID-19 Safe plan updates and response plans on PolicyConnect via the iDanenet portal and various school communications. 

• Contractors are encouraged to wear masks as a risk mitigation strategy.
• Contractors are to sign in via ‘Who’s on location’.
• Contractors are to abide with Danebank’s covid safe plans at all times.

Hygiene and Cleaning

• We promote good hygiene via posters around the school. 

• We have easily accessible hand washing facilities.

• We encourage the use of hand sanitizer before touching shared items. 

• Cleaners ensure bathrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels. 

Activities

There are no restrictions on school activities.

Danebank is taking a highly cautious approach to our learning and activities on campus for the safety of our students, staff and community.

Danebank’s Covid Safe Plan is in place and every excursion, incursion, co-curricular or extra-curricular activity undergoes a robust risk assessment process before proceeding. Our Facilities and WHS Coordinator will review the proposals using NSW Health and Education advice and considers the associated level of risk of transmission.

The Facilities and WHS Coordinator then advises on the safety of each event and ensures careful risk mitigating strategies are in place before any activity proceeds. In line with this, some activities will be modified to minimise risk, while others may not proceed.

Danebank continues to use Risk Assessment Form to assess students’ activities, excursions, incursions, events according to NSW Health and Education advice

For inter-school gathering, events, excursions, transport and travel, camps, dancing, instruments, singing, drama, sports and exams, please consider:

• Choose well-ventilated or outdoor venues
• Masks are encouraged to be worn indoors if physical distancing isn’t possible and contact is sustained
• Encourage sanitising
• Prevent anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms from attending
• Encouraging masks to be worn on public transport (if you are over 12 years of age)
• For sports, encouraging participants to bring their own equipment, water bottles, towels and clothing; modify activities to reduce contact or increase physical distancing; reduce the use of changing rooms by asking student to come ready to participate; where equipment is being shared, increase cleaning and hygiene control measures
• Greetings via a hand shake are resumed. 

Danebank Health Action Plan

Danebank’s Health Action Plan is updated according to the latest advice from the Federal and State Government. Click here for the most recent update.

Travel

School activities, including interstate or international trips will be reviewed in the light of NSW Health and Education advice and the associated level of risk of transmission. Accordingly, some activities may be modified in order to minimise risk and others may be postponed or cancelled.

At this stage, Danebank is not engaging in international trips and interstate trips are being assessed on a case-by-case basis.

PHASE 0

Schools are open for families who need it

• Families are supported to keep their children at home and learn from home via Danebank’s distance learning model. 
• Families who need to send their children to school every day when not engaged in face-to-face teaching, may do so. 
• Children will be supervised by staff as they undertake distance learning. 
• All children attending on-campus distance learning, must be registered to be on-site. 
• No excursions, camps, activities or inter-school activities.
• Munch Monitor for canteen orders. Limited menu.
• Library Facilities: Digital library services available to staff and students. 
• Additional queries may be directed to [email protected]

PHASE 1

Limited year groups on campus 5-days a week

Staggered return to full-time, on-campus teaching and learning. See the Schedule as it pertains to different year groups here.

• Families who need to send their children to school when not engaged in face-to-face teaching, may do so. Children will be supervised by staff as they undertake distance learning. 
• All children attending on-campus distance learning, must be registered to be on-site. 
• No excursions, camps, activities or inter-school activities.
• Munch Monitor for canteen orders.
• Uniform Shop open online 
• Extend Before and After School Care available daily.
• Mini-bus service as arranged.
• Aquatic Centre will remain open.
• No visitors or parents on site.
• Library Facilities: Library open to staff and students during regular school hours.

PHASE 2

All year groups on campus 5-days a week

Full-time face-to-face teaching on campus for all students, 5-days a week.

• No excursions, camps, activities or inter-school activities.
• Munch Monitor for canteen orders.
• Uniform Shop open online
• Extend Before and After School Care available daily.
• Mini-bus service as arranged.
• Aquatic Centre will remain open.
• No visitors or parents on site.
• Library Facilities: Library open to staff and students during regular school hours.

PHASE 3

All year groups on campus 5-days a week

Full-time face-to-face teaching on campus for all students, 5-days a week.

• No excursions, camps, activities or inter-school activities. 
• Munch Monitor for canteen orders.
• Uniform Shop open online 
• Extend Before and After School Care available daily.
• Mini-bus service as normal.
• Aquatic Centre will remain open.
• No visitors or parents on site.
• Library Facilities: Library open to staff and students. 7.30am to 6pm Monday - Thursday 7.30am to 4pm Fridays

PHASE 4

All students on campus 5-days a week, with activities considered

Full-time face-to-face teaching on campus for all students, 5-days a week.

We anticipate the resumption of many school activities. Activities will continue to be modified and adapted to respond to NSW Public Health Advice. 

Examples would include:

• Co-curricular activities, such as clubs and music ensembles
• Sport with limited numbers and, at this stage, no parents/visitors allowed on site. 
• Click here for NSW Health advice in this regard. 
• Excursions, incursions and programs such as Duke of Edinburgh 
• The number of, and reasons for allowing visitors on campus

A risk assessment will be completed for all school activities and be reviewed prior to the resumption of that activity. 

External service providers will be required to have their COVID-19 safety plans presented to and approved by the School before they can start operating on campus again. 

Financially Difficult Circumstances

We do acknowledge and understand that this is a difficult time for some of our families. The financial impact may be challenging, both initially and in the aftershock of the crisis. We anticipate that the effects on our wider community, and particularly on many individual families, will be with us for some time.

As a School, we have no desire for any girl to have to leave our community during this period. We believe that, given the current uncertainty, now is not the time to make decisions that may have an adverse impact on your daughter’s education and wellbeing.

The Board of the Anglican Schools Corporation and the Danebank School Council, together with myself and the School Executive are actively considering how to best support families in maintaining their daughter’s enrolment at Danebank, should they face financial hardship. We understand that the full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on some families may take some time to fully emerge. We ask for your continued patience as we consider these matters and determine the best way forward for our community.

To help us better understand the financial impact COVID-19 is having on families, we are inviting you to inform us of your current situation and/or expected need for assistance by contacting: [email protected]

Students who test positive to COVID

• Immediately notify school of positive case via notification of positive covid 19 test form on the Covid portal
• Individual to notify NSW Health and register the positive result on the Service NSW website. If you can’t register online, call Service NSW on 13 77 88

It is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive for COVID-19. NSW Health strongly recommends people who are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19 stay home until their symptoms have gone. 

You may be infectious for up to 10 days. You are most infectious in the 2 days before your symptoms start and while you have acute symptoms (such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough).

To reduce the risk to others NSW Health recommends you: 

1. Stay home until your acute symptoms have gone
2. Don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
3. Wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, if you must leave your home.
4. Avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places, especially where you will be in contact with groups of people you don’t live with.
5. Talk to your employer about when you should return to the workplace.  
   If you work in a high-risk setting such as health, disability and aged care, it is recommended that you stay away from the workplace for 7 days and until you have no symptoms to help protect other staff, patients, residents, and clients.  If your employer needs you to return to the workplace before this time, they may ask you to take additional steps to protect others, subject to their work, health and safety assessment
6. Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID-19. People you live with or spend a lot of time indoors with are at greatest risk of catching COVID-19 from you. You should tell then you have tested positive and try to separate from them as much as possible. They should monitor for symptoms and if they get sick, they should get tested and stay home. They should follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet.
7. Register your positive rapid antigen test result with Service NSW.
8. Staff and students who receive a positive PCR or RAHT result must notify the school (via this Google form) as soon as possible as required by the Public Health (COVID-19 Self Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021. 

As always, the School treats this information with confidentiality and is only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school.

Danebank will communicate to parents and carers about the presence and impact of COVID-19 in our community. Weekly updates are available via this link.

Staff or student has been exposed to COVID-19:

• No longer required to self-isolate as a contact provided they can comply with some NSW Health guidelines to minimise risk https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/people-exposed-to-covid

Staff and students should not attend school if they are unwell.

There are no restrictions on school activities.

Danebank is taking a highly cautious approach to our learning and activities on campus for the safety of our students, staff and community.

Danebank’s Covid Safe Plan is in place and every excursion, incursion, co-curricular or extra-curricular activity undergoes a robust risk assessment process before proceeding. Our Facilities and WHS Coordinator will review the proposals using NSW Health and Education advice and considers the associated level of risk of transmission.

The Facilities and WHS Coordinator then advises on the safety of each event and ensures careful risk mitigating strategies are in place before any activity proceeds. In line with this, some activities will be modified to minimise risk, while others may not proceed.

Danebank continues to use Risk Assessment Form to assess students’ activities, excursions, incursions, events according to NSW Health and Education advice

For inter-school gathering, events, excursions, transport and travel, camps, dancing, instruments, singing, drama, sports and exams, please consider:

• Choose well-ventilated or outdoor venues
• Masks are encouraged to be worn indoors if physical distancing isn’t possible and contact is sustained
• Encourage sanitising
• Prevent anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms from attending
• Encouraging masks to be worn on public transport (if you are over 12 years of age)
• For sports, encouraging participants to bring their own equipment, water bottles, towels and clothing; modify activities to reduce contact or increase physical distancing; reduce the use of changing rooms by asking student to come ready to participate; where equipment is being shared, increase cleaning and hygiene control measures
• Greetings via a hand shake are resumed. 

We now understand that fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise risk of transmission. Danebank will continue to use outdoor spaces where possible, along with ensuring that cross ventilation occurs and fresh air is circulated among all classrooms and common areas. This includes the following measures: 

• Open windows and doors where applicable, even if air conditioners are used 
• Continuous testing of air quality in classrooms
• The use of air purifiers as required

All air-conditioner filters have been changed and had their settings updated to maximise the outdoor air intake rather than using recycled air. 

In addition to the above, we have several CO2 monitors placed throughout the School to monitor air quality and have Air Purifiers with HEPA filters ready to be deployed in the event that any rooms become a concern.

Danebank continues to acknowledge that there are some parents, staff and students who have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

At this stage, the School remains open and will not make individual arrangements to deliver our Distance Learning Plan to students who do not attend school. 

In the Senior School, teachers may share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page (with additional care for students in Years 11 and 12). Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

In the Senior School, please contact your Year Coordinator and in the Junior School, please contact your classroom teacher if this applies to you and for arrangements to be made.

Danebank continues to acknowledge that there are some parents, staff and students who have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

At this stage, the School remains open and will not make individual arrangements to deliver our Distance Learning Plan to students who do not attend school. 

In the Senior School, teachers may share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page (with additional care for students in Years 11 and 12). Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

In the Senior School, please contact your Year Coordinator and in the Junior School, please contact your classroom teacher if this applies to you and for arrangements to be made. 

NSW Health advise that:

• Current NSW Government policy is that everyone with any flu-like symptoms is to be tested for COVID-19. Find a testing clinic here.
• If your child has any COVID-19 symptoms, which can include fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or sense of smell, keep them home from school and have her tested for COVID-19. Students and staff must not attend school if they feel unwell.
• If, while at school, your child presents with any of the above symptoms we will contact parents to come and collect their children promptly.

If we suspect a student has covid-19, based on their symptoms and history, we will isolate them and follow NSW Health guidelines.

Feelings of worry and unease can be expected during stressful events, such as the recent declaration of a global pandemic, however, it is important that we learn to manage our stress before it turns to more severe anxiety and panic. Read the reliable attached fact sheets from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) which outline useful strategies for helping children manage their stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak (WHO)
• Tips for coping with coronavirus anxiety (Australian Psychological Society)
• NSW Government Mental Health links

Prioritising your mental health is important, watch this video to find how you can prioritise your mental wellbeing during this time of change. Eating well, keeping active and talking with family, friends and neighbours are all ways you can stay healthy.

Junior School

Senior School

Dear Families

I trust this finds you all well, having enjoyed your weekend. Teachers and staff continue to appreciate being back on campus as we connect with our girls and create opportunities to build relationships and enjoy learning.

I am writing to provide an update on our Covid Safety Measures following the recent announcements from the Premier, NSW Health and Education authorities.

We continue to comply with the relevant Public Health Orders, be guided by NSW Health and Education guidelines, undertake our school-based risk assessments, and devise plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and community. As always, we will take a highly cautious approach to ensuring the safety of our community and in some instances may take additional safety measures to mitigate risk above that which is mandated. 

This letter outlines reminders and any further updates on our Covid-safe arrangements that are relevant to our community. 

What remains the same 

• We continue to operate in Stage 2 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan
• Sign-in procedures and requirements continue, with both the NSW Service app and QR code and Danebank’s Who’s On Location
• We follow our Health Action Plan
• Our Covid-safe Plan continues with additional cleaning on campus throughout the day and physical-distancing requirements
• We continue to expect good hygiene protocols from our staff and students, including staying at home when unwell, regular and thorough hand washing, coughing into one’s elbow or a tissue and washing one’s hands immediately. 
• We have taken measures to ensure that cross ventilation occurs and fresh air is circulated among all classrooms and common areas. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for further information regarding ventilation.  
• We continue to adopt the cohorting strategy with students remaining in year groups.
• Swimming continues for swim classes, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities. Danebank continues to follow Covid-safe guidelines developed by the NSW Office of Sport. 
• Our Protocols if there were a positive case in the Danebank community remain as always. As a first step, please contact the Principal (tel: 95801415 or [email protected]) should you or your family member become a close or casual contact, or receive a positive Covid-test result.

What has changed

• Sport can re-commence by observing the advice developed by the NSW Office of Sport. There are currently no plans for interschool sport at this late stage in the year. 
• Year 12 graduations, formals and finals can proceed with strict Covid safety plans. This includes physical distancing requirements, sign in, staggered arrivals and the possibility of holding ceremonies in sessions when capacity guidelines cannot be met.
• Orientation and transition experiences and excursions can resume with strict guidelines, including approval of a Covid-safe risk management plan. 
• Dancing and music classes, bands, ensembles and lessons can occur for instruments that can be played with a mask only (i.e. no woodwind instruments). 
• In line with NSW Health and Education guidelines, masks or face coverings are currently required in: 
  • all indoor settings for all staff  
  • all indoor settings for students in Year 7 and above

Please refer to the Face Mask Information in our Covid Portal for further information, including how to wear face coverings. 

• As always, certain exemptions apply. These include when staff or students are eating or exercising, also: 
  • Staff members are not required to wear a mask or face covering where it may affect the ability of students to hear or engage with them, such as where clear enunciation and communication is essential.
  • Early childhood staff are exempt from wearing face masks when they are working directly with children. However, it is recommended that staff wear masks whenever indoors.
  • Masks or face coverings are not required to be worn by a staff member or student who has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable, for example, if they have a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism, or trauma. 

Please notify the school if your daughter has an exemption from wearing a mask.  

• Masks or face coverings are recommended (but not required) for:
  • outdoor settings for students and staff in Year 7 and above
  • indoor and outdoor settings for primary students. 
• We are also encouraging staff and students to carry a mask with them at all times.  
• Masks are required for all visitors indoors (and strongly recommended outdoors). 

Please link to our Frequently Asked Questions on the Covid-19 Portal for further details regarding: 

• The wearing of masks on campus
• What will happen should there be a Covid-positive case on campus
• Danebank’s measures to improve ventilation in classrooms

Visitors on Site

Non-essential visitors are not permitted on campus, however, fully vaccinated volunteers and providers will be allowed on site to support school operations or fulfil specific roles, such as helping with the canteen or uniform shop, assisting with gross motor skills or conducting reading groups. This can include parent volunteers.

All visitors, including parents and carers, must check in using the school check-in, show proof of double vaccination on entry to the school site and follow mask-wearing requirements (unless there is an exemption). 

Once again, thank you for your continued support, encouragement and partnership as we navigate these times together. 

第四学期和远程学习

Term 4 and Distance Learning

As promised in my correspondence last week, this letter outlines our planning for the phased return of students to on-campus learning in the coming weeks. 

We are a unique school with strong community spirit, special traditions and a deep and abiding commitment to each girl; each girl is the hero of our Danebank story. As a staff we possess a deep desire to partner with you, to nurture and guide each girl and young woman to explore, learn and become all she is purposed to be.  We consider it a privilege to be part of your story and to act as guides along the way. 

With this in mind, our relationships and personal interactions are key to our success. Even though we were able to continue quality learning experiences, maintain connections and support each other through this latest storm of lockdown, we have all certainly felt the distance keenly. 

It is therefore with much anticipation and excitement that we are preparing for the gradual and safe return of each girl to our campus this term. We are truly looking forward to the ongoing learning and support of each girl’s wellbeing in the coming weeks by providing a healthy and safe learning environment for all of our students, staff and community. 

The government’s health advice and emerging studies reassure us that with high levels of vaccinations and risk mitigation factors in place, schools will be safe places to be. Over the past weeks Danebank has been encouraged by the reducing numbers of daily diagnosed Covid-19 cases in NSW, increasing vaccination levels and the gradual lifting of restrictions in our society. We have equally been encouraged that Danebank will soon no longer operate in a local government area of concern. 

As we move into this next phase of life with Covid-19, our priority is to provide holistic educational programs to our treasured students by ensuring the safety of our workplace and learning environment. Our approach will be multifaceted. 

Vaccinations 

Whilst we respect and understand individual circumstances, one key factor is the highest possible uptake of vaccination in our community, given the Delta variant’s increased transmissibility. 

From 9 November, as per the Public Health Order of 23 September, any staff member returning to school sites will be required to present evidence of having received two doses of vaccine or a contraindication certificate. From the beginning of this term, to be able to work on site, all Danebank staff are required to have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with evidence of the second booking, or of having been issued with a medical contraindication certificate. 

We will also require evidence of vaccination from all visitors to our sites through the period of the Public Health Order.

We continue to encourage families to seek medical advice and as per NSW Health guidelines, encourage eligible students to receive two doses of vaccine before their return to face-to-face learning.

Planning for Weeks Ahead 

We continue to take a measured, informed and well-considered approach in managing our response to the COVID-19 situation. Should a positive case arise in our community, our Health Action Plan, Temporary Closure of Campus Plan and additional health and safety strategies (also listed below) will support us well. 

In a meeting with Dr Kerry Chant last  week, Independent School Principals were advised that the NSW Health response to positive Covid cases in schools would vary depending on the levels of vaccination in the student cohort as well as risk mitigation strategies taken by the school. 

To help us respond quickly to any potential Covid cases at Danebank, I encourage you to please inform the school when your child is vaccinated by completing this form. As with other private family information, for example the vaccination information shared at enrolment, this documentation will be treated confidentially and only accessed by those requiring this information to manage risks to health and safety in our school. 

Planning for Return to Danebank 

As in 2020, our guiding principles in planning for a staged, safe and effective transition back to on-campus learning are: 

• The wellbeing and safety of our girls, staff and community, and ensuring that appropriate health and hygiene protocols continue.
• Ensuring the continuity of high-quality teaching, learning and care. 
• Consideration for the specific learning needs of our girls, including whether there are additional learning needs, our Pre-K girls with specific play-based learning approaches, and our oldest girls who are studying for the HSC. 
• The layout of the Junior and Senior Schools and classroom size. 

Accordingly, Danebank’s plan for students’ return is tailored to our needs and what we believe is best for our girls’ learning. Our model will differ from that of NSW government schools.

Danebank Return to Campus Model

Danebank has chosen a blended learning model encompassing face-to-face teaching and learning, and distance learning on the days where students are not allocated a face-to-face learning day.

We believe this plan is optimal for student learning and wellbeing during Term 4, as it enables the provision of the excellent teaching for which Danebank is known.

The blended model will mean that: 

• Students who are learning on campus during their allocated on-campus day or days will be with their teachers, engaging in face-to-face learning,
• Students who are learning from home on their allocated distance-learning days will continue to engage in distance learning, and
• Those students who need to be on campus on days other than their allocated face-to-face days due to family circumstances such as parents being essential workers, will engage in distance learning whilst supervised by Danebank teaching staff. 

We have designed a phased return of girls using these guiding principles.

The Return to On-Campus Learning Plan is organised in phases and outlines the specific teaching and learning arrangements and measures to be taken at each stage of gradual return. 

Over the term, we hope for the forward movement from Phase 0 to Phase 4. However, we do recognise that the COVID-19 crisis has been unpredictable and rapidly changing. So should circumstances change, we may be required to step back to a previous phase. Any changes will be communicated with you as soon as we are made aware of these. 

Please familiarise yourself with the Return to On-Campus Learning Plan again so you are able to see and plan for what may happen in each phase.

Term 4 Arrangements in Summary

In the same manner to last year, to accompany the Return to On-Campus Learning Plan  we have devised weekly schedules for each phase. 

The Term 4 Danebank Phase 1 Schedule outlines the arrangements for each Year Group from next week. You will see that:

• From Monday 11 October, Year 12 returns to small group study bubbles (no more than five students). Until 25 October 2021, Year 12 students and those sitting HSC exams will have access to our campus for up to 3 hours per day, up to 5 days per week for:
  • Essential curriculum revision and wellbeing support from appropriate
  • Participation in scheduled small group face-to-face learning with the class teacher to enable essential course revision
  • Participation in organised peer study bubbles

In addition to this for Year 12, a special schedule has been arranged for Year 12 students which includes masterclasses, teachers being available for study support and at 10am each day, optional life seminars and additional activities. Students will receive information in this regard from the Head of Senior School.

• From Monday 18 October, in addition to Year 12, the following years will return to on-campus learning: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 11 and Life Skills. Other year groups will engage in distance learning from home. 
• From Monday 25 October, Years 2, 6 and 7 will return to on-campus learning, joining those who have already returned (being Pre-K, Kindergarten, Years 1, 11 and 12). The remaining year groups (Years 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10) will be engaged in distance learning from home.
• From 1 November all remaining year groups (Years 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10) will return to face-to-face learning. 
• The campus remains open for those students who need to be supervised when not engaged in a face-to-face learning day with their class teacher. This will be particularly useful for parents with more than one daughter at Danebank, who need their whole family to be supervised on campus at any given day. 

Activities for Term 4 

Due to NSW Health Guidelines, a number of activities will not be occurring whilst we are in Phase 1: 

• Singing, chanting, group repetition and choirs (except for HSC preparation and assessment purposes as outlined above)
• Sport (except for sport within existing PDHPE classes, provided this limits student mixing)
• Bands and ensembles
• Inter-school activities and events including interschool sport and carnivals
• Assemblies
• Excursions, camps and field trips and community events 

Please refer to the Return to On-Campus Plan for further details. 

Students in High-risk Health Categories

Danebank continues to acknowledge that there are some parents, staff and students who have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, as we transition back to full-time face-to-face teaching, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

At this stage, the School will not make individual arrangements to deliver distance learning to students who do not attend school on-campus on their allocated face-to-face teaching days.

In the Senior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page (with additional care for students in Years 11). 

Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

Health Action Plan

Danebank’s Health Action Plan remains as follows: 

• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared. 
• Any student or staff member who has travelled internationally should remain at home for 14 days from the date of their return to Australia. 
• Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus must remain at home for 14 days following that contact. 
• Any confirmed case of Covid-19 will be excluded from attending school until they are medically cleared to return.

As before, in the event of a student needing to be quarantined, we ask that you notify the School of the absence through the usual channels. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions in the Danebank Covid-19 Information Portal for what to do in various circumstances.

Health and Safety Measures

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community, we have established the following measures as guided by NSW Health for the return to on-campus learning for all girls and staff:  

• Sign-in using the NSW QR code upon arrival (staff).
• Non-essential visitors are not allowed on site (only staff and students). Any visitor who has first sought approval for attendance, must wear a mask and complete the Danebank Who’s On Location and the NSW QR Covid check-ins.
• All staff and students from 12 years old and over must wear masks, indoor and outdoors, unless they have an exemption as per the Public Health Order. Students younger than 12 years are strongly encouraged to wear masks, at all times, indoors and outdoors. Refer to the NSW Government face mask rules. 
• For at least the first weeks on campus, students in Years 7-12 will not use their lockers as these are in very close proximity. Bags will be taken into the classroom. 
• Wherever possible, larger classrooms, verandahs and break-out rooms will be used. The Year 12 Common Room will be used as a larger classroom for learning.
• Students and staff will need to maintain strict personal hygiene (regular and rigorous hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs in one’s elbow) and physical distancing. Markings have been placed in areas where students or staff should line up to ensure physical distancing (e.g. canteen).
• Where possible we will restrict activities to within cohorts and pay particular attention to entry and exit points, transitioning between classes and staggering recess and lunch breaks to reduce contact between student cohorts and staff.
• Start and finish times along with break times will be staggered to limit mixing among student cohorts. Your Head of School will be communicating the specific plans for this with you.
• We continue with our additional cleaning and hygiene protocols, including desks and playground being wiped down regularly throughout the day.
• The School is undertaking an audit of ventilation and, under the guidance of the Anglican Schools Corporation, is investigating ventilation options for students’ return. In addition to this, windows and doors will be kept open to allow for good air flow and where practicable, learning will occur in open or outside areas.

I am looking forward to being able to connect with you and our students in person soon. It fills us with a great sense of calm, hope and optimism for a wonderful term ahead. 

Commencement of Term 4, 2021

Dear Families

It is a delight to write to you all today. I do hope you have been enjoying the holiday and are looking forward to returning to campus in Term 4. As a community, we are filled with gratitude and optimism for the term ahead and are greatly encouraged by the news of the excellent uptake of vaccinations, enabling an even earlier return to face-to-face learning. 

We were heartened that the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning is planning for all schools to begin a staged return to on-campus learning from Monday 18 October.  

In the meantime, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back, albeit via Zoom, from Wednesday next week (6 October). 

For Weeks 1 and 2, we are still in Phase 0 of our Return-to-Campus plan and will continue with distance teaching and learning to all year groups. A staggered return of students and staff will start on Monday of Week 3 (18 October), details of which will be provided next week. Once we begin the staged return to face to face learning, we will be in Phase 1 of our Return-to-Campus plan. 

The NSW Government has indicated that Local Government Areas will not be a consideration anymore and that all schools from all areas of Greater Sydney will return at the same time.

Because in-person teaching and learning is the best way for our girls to learn, our teachers are looking forward to being back in the classroom, albeit with NSW Health requirements in place (more about this in future communication).

Danebank is well prepared and has systems in place for a safe and seamless return to face-to-face learning. The return will be managed with Covid-safe arrangements in place and in line with NSW Health advice to continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students, staff and community.

Learning on campus 

For now, as a school that is currently still in an LGA of concern under strict Public Health Orders and the Stay At Home conditions, we continue to operate with an absolute minimum of staff and students on site. Accordingly, parents and carers are encouraged to keep children – of all ages, across primary school and secondary school – at home unless they cannot be cared for or educated at home. 

Before registering your daughter for on-site learning (below), I strongly encourage each family to consider whether your children must be on site.

Junior School

• Week 1
• Week 2

Senior School

• Week 1
• Week 2

 A few final reminders whilst we remain in Stage 0 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan. There are no changes to Danebank requirements regarding: 

• Our Health Action Plan
• Our COVID Safety Plans in place, including physical distancing for all staff and students on site and additional cleaning 
• Sign-in procedures and requirements as per NSW Health Orders
• Wearing of masks at all times (except for those with written exemptions to do so)
• Our Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should this be required. I do encourage you to re-familiarise yourself with this protocol should it be required.
• Contact the Principal (tel: 9580 1415 or [email protected]) should you or your family member become a close or casual contact, or receive a positive COVID result. 

Conclusion of Term 3, 2021

Dear Families

As we near the end of Term 3 and enter a much needed time of rest, I would like to thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support of our girls and our staff. 

At the beginning of the year, we took inspiration from the story in the Bible of Ruth and Naomi. This story inspired our theme for 2021, Raising Up Young Women to Flourish.

Despite the difficult circumstances that both Ruth and Naomi faced of famine and loss, they stayed with and supported one another. Together, they overcame enormous challenges. They determined to walk through the obstacles, step by step, day by day until each woman emerged in a place of flourishing (in fields of favour). Ruth and Naomi demonstrate to us that, no matter what the odds are, we are capable of facing uncertainty, strengthened by our Lord and motivated by others.   

Despite the fresh challenges brought by the resurgence of Covid-19, I am truly grateful for and to you for the way you, like Ruth and Naomi, have been deeply committed to supporting our students and community, to have walked through the challenges before us in order to come out stronger than before. You’ve partnered with us to help our girls stay motivated and engaged, especially in uncertain times. 

Over the last 19 months we have transformed the way we offer learning, moving in and out of lockdown, whilst navigating the continuing uncertainty of the situation and the range of ever-changing restrictions. 

Through all this, our outstanding teachers and staff have given their all. They have been creative and courageous in navigating the change, continuing to provide quality teaching and learning, as well as astute feedback to our students and nurturing care. Our staff have demonstrated tremendous capacity and resilience and I am in awe of their service to the School and our community. Please be encouraged to reach out and thank our staff. 

Class of 2021

This morning we held a special Valedictory Celebration via Zoom for our graduating Year 12s. It was a lovely event to mark this milestone at the end of Term 3.

Many of these girls have been with us since Pre-Kindergarten, a significant part of their lives. We are grateful for all Year 12 and their families for having trusted us to help form firm foundations on which they can build their lives. Our Class of 2021 have faced times more difficult than usual due to the unexpected closure of school campuses, resulting in an online HSC Trial. Through all this, our girls led our community with their grace, courage, determination and admirable tenacity. 

We look forward to being able to have a face-to-face Valedictory service, graduation and dinner in due course, as Covid restrictions ease. 

Looking forward to Term 4

We are all looking forward to the day we can return to our school campus. Our holistic education is founded on the quality of our relationships and our connections with each other. While every effort has been made to maintain these connections through digital technology, there is no doubt that face-to-face learning experiences with personal encounters on campus are preferred by us all. 

We continue to encourage our staff and community to access vaccinations as per the government’s advice. As mentioned previously, the majority of our staff already received their first injection, with the second round currently happening. We ask, though, that our families seek medical advice for their personal and individual circumstances.

There are a number of encouraging signs regarding our return to on-campus learning as we look towards Term 4, such as the news that more than 80 percent of people aged 16 and over in NSW have now received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. The state is expected to reach the milestone of 50 percent of the adult population fully vaccinated today. 

In the 12 local government areas across Sydney, including George’s River (Danebank), the 9pm to 5am curfew was lifted earlier this week and we understand that there is review of the  LGA’s of concern. This is indeed  news that gives us hope for Term 4

We are also encouraged by the continuing reports, including the latest by the NCIRS (National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance) indicating that “most children diagnosed with Covid-19 during the current outbreak, including those who caught the infection in educational settings, experienced mild or no symptoms”. The report points out this is despite the high transmissibility of the Delta variant that resulted in a five-fold increase in the spread of Covid-19 in schools, early childhood education and care services and households, when compared to the 2020 experience with the original strain of the virus.

This video hosted by the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne also discusses the effects of Covid-19 on children’s physical health, with encouraging information for our community. 

Danebank is undertaking extensive preparation and planning to ensure the safe return of face-to-face learning within a safe and healthy environment, once this is possible. I will communicate further details towards the end of the holidays. 

Once again, thank you for traversing the difficult term with us. We are looking forward to Term 4, with great expectancy and hope. I wish you a restful, safe and healthy break with loved ones. 

新冠病毒和远程学习情况更新

Dear Families

I trust this communication finds you all well and safe. I thank you for your continued support and understanding while we stay in COVID lockdown. As promised, I am writing to now provide further clarification regarding the HSC and also the return to on-campus learning. It is also a good opportunity to provide updates on new guidelines that are pertinent to our community. 

We are all looking forward to being able to welcome our students, staff and community back to face-to-face learning when it is safe to do so. As the weeks have extended, the difficulty of remaining apart has amplified.

Return to on-campus learning for students across NSW

The NSW Government’s Return to School Roadmap has been provided for consideration by schools. The roadmap is based on international research in the UK and Canada, the current COVID situation due to the Delta variant, and the legislative requirements. 

As an independent school, Danebank will consider the roadmap and determine our own return-to-school plan within the parameters of the Public Health Orders and NSW Health advice. Danebank will consider the most appropriate social and educational outcomes for our students and the impact on families. Our absolute priority will be the wellbeing and safety of students, staff and the broader community. 

According to NSW Health Advice, schools will return to face-to-face learning either through a staged return or full return, depending on NSW Health conditions in their area. At this stage, there are three possibilities: 

1. Full return (NSW Level 3)
   Areas across NSW that are removed from stay-at-home rules will return to school under Level 3 settings. This is a full return for all cohorts to schools, with reduced mingling and on-site activities.
2. Staged return (NSW Level 3 plus)
   When stay-at-home rules are still in place, but other community vaccination and transmission conditions are met, students will return to school in a staged way. This is a staggered return for prioritised cohorts, with no mingling or on-site activities. This was outlined in the plan described by the Premier, beginning with staged year groups from 25 October.
   Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are able to return in a limited way and this will continue for the remainder of Term 3. From 25 October, these students will have full-time access to school campuses and their teachers. There are conditions and guidelines for the staged return of students.
3.  LGAs of Concern
   Local Government areas (LGAs) and suburbs of concern operating under NSW Level 4 or Level 4 plus restrictions will continue learning from home until they are removed from the areas of concern. 

Being currently in an LGA of concern and should this situation continue, Danebank would not be permitted to begin a staged return to on-campus learning from 25 October. We are hopeful that in time, our LGA will no longer be classified as an LGA of concern, allowing us to begin a staged return. 

If and when this occurs for Danebank, we will move from Stage 0 to Stage 1 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan.

I wish to reassure you that we are well prepared and have systems in place for a safe and seamless return to face-to-face learning. Such a return will be managed with COVID-safe arrangements in line with NSW Health advice to continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students, staff and community.

As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and will inform our community of decisions and details as we move closer to this date.

Year 12 and the HSC 

The Minister for Education and Premier made a number of announcements on Friday 27 August regarding the HSC. These were that: 

• HSC exams will be delayed until 9 November. 
• A revised timetable and guidelines for a COVID-safe HSC will be released by NESA in September.
• Results are expected in mid-January 2022.
• The delay of the HSC exams will not disadvantage NSW students when they apply to university.

We continue to await further updates regarding this. As soon as the school has received detailed information about the HSC and related matters, we will communicate this with our HSC students and families. 

Vaccinations

From Monday 6 September, Danebank will follow the additional rules that apply as a result of the Public Health Order for employees and workers on school sites in the identified LGAs of concern. 

The Premier also announced that all NSW school staff will be required to be fully vaccinated and that these vaccinations will be mandatory from 8 November. This includes all support staff. School sectors are continuing to work with NSW Health to prioritise vaccinations for all staff across NSW. 

A recent voluntary survey of Danebank’s staff indicated the majority already had at least one dose of a vaccine.

The vaccination of students aged 12-15 have been approved and this age group will also be a priority to be vaccinated. As per previous arrangements people aged 16 to 39 or authorised workers 40 and above who are residents of the LGAs and suburbs of concern can access priority vaccination appointments. 

All students eligible for a vaccine are strongly encouraged to book an appointment. 

The government also encourages all parents, who have not been vaccinated, to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Masks

NSW Health continues to require all staff to wear a face mask at all times, including when working outdoors. While at school, masks or face covering are required in all indoor settings for all students in Year 7 and above.

Learning on Campus

As a school within an LGA of concern under strict Public Health Orders and the Stay At Home conditions, we must operate with an absolute minimum of staff and students on site. We are aware that some schools in LGAs of concern have been required to account for those who are on-site and whether those on site are eligible to be there.

Accordingly, parents and carers must keep children – of all ages, across primary school and secondary school – at home unless they cannot be cared for or educated at home. 

Under the guidelines we have been given, families or parents working from home would not qualify. Specific authorised workers may be eligible if there are no alternative arrangements available. If you are unsure of whether you are eligible to send your daughter onsite, please contact your Head of School. 

Before registering your daughter for on-site learning (below), I strongly encourage each family to consider whether your children must be on site.

Junior School 

• Week 9
• Week 10

Senior School

• Week 9
• Week 10

A few final reminders whilst we remain in Stage 0 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan 

As an LGA of concern there are no changes to Danebank requirements regarding: 

• Our Health Action Plan.
• Our COVID Safety Plans in place, including physical distancing for all staff and students on site and additional cleaning. 
• Sign-in procedures and requirements as per NSW Health Orders.
• Wearing of masks at all times (except for those with written exemptions to do so).
• Our Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should this be required. I do encourage you to re-familiarise yourself with this protocol should it be required.
• Contact the Principal (tel: 9580 1415 or [email protected]) should you or your family member become a close or casual contact, or receive a positive COVID result. 

Remember also the counselling support available: Junior School and Senior School counsellors can be contacted respectively. Our procedures for connecting with our counselling services are linked here. When counselling is requested, our counsellors will email you the required consent form (which can be viewed at this link).

As always, at the heart of our decisions is the health, wellbeing and safety of our community. We remain deeply committed to you and your family during this time. 

Dear Families

I hope you are keeping safe and staying healthy in body and mind. I continue to think of you and pray for you often, knowing that each experience of lockdown differs for our community. 

Greater Sydney Lockdown Extended

As we come to the end of Week 6 in lockdown the news that this has been extended until the end of September, is not really surprising given that Covid-infection numbers have been rapidly increasing. 

However, that is still difficult news as we sincerely miss our girls in class and on campus, as well as the friendliness and warmth of our face-to-face community interactions.

The extended lockdown in Greater Sydney will last at least until the end of September. The government introduced new rules for the local government areas of concern, including St George and therefore our campus.

How this affects Danebank

• Distance learning will continue for all our students until the end of term, with those students only who must attend campus being able to do so.
• Year 11 students will sit their exams online, in the same manner as Year 12 HSC trials currently underway.
• In echoing the Premier's call, parents and carers are strongly encouraged to keep their children at home, unless there is no alternative.

• The government will provide further information on its education plan in due course.
• From Saturday 28 August, any member of our staff who attend campus from outside of the St George LGA must carry a worker permit issued by Service NSW.

From Monday (23 August), everyone in Greater Sydney, not just those in LGAs of concern, must wear a mask when outside their house. 

On-campus supervision

If it is absolutely necessary for you, as an essential worker, that your daughter attends on-campus distance learning, please register here:

• Junior School: Week 7 and Week 8
• Senior School: Week 7 and Week 8

I encourage you to read the Premier’s announcement, which details further restrictions including curfews, permits required, and further powers to the Police to enforce compliance.

Please know that our teachers and support staff are deeply committed to making distance learning a positive experience for our girls. I am happy to report that feedback to our recent distance-learning and wellbeing surveys has been really positive. We are currently considering how to best implement your input. 

I found these articles particularly helpful in navigating the lockdown and learning experience as parents. I trust they might be of assistance to you also. 

• Dr Lisa Damour answered key questions about parenting in the pandemic  for Unicef recently. 
• In April this year, Adam Grant wrote an insightful article,  There's a name for the Blah that you are feeling: Its called languishing. The article describes languishing as a sense of stagnation and emptiness, suggesting that it may be the emotion of 2021. He also provides positive and simple steps we can take to light the path forward. 

In addition, our wellbeing and counselling team share this resource for optimising your daughter’s wellbeing. 

COVID-19 and Distance Learning Update 新冠病毒和远程学习情况更新

Dear Families

I hope you and your family have had time to reset and refresh this weekend. 

As we enter our fifth week of distance learning, we are conscious that our community, along with all schools in Greater Sydney, are experiencing varying levels of tiredness and strain. Whilst we maintain our sense of optimism and hope, we can experience a wide range of emotions, along with distance learning / Zoom fatigue. 

We are keen to protect and support the mental health and wellbeing of our community, providing opportunities to keep our students motivated and engaged, whilst lifting wellbeing and mental health. 

Learnings from schools and colleagues who engaged in distance learning for long periods of time due to Covid last year, indicated that well-timed opportunities devoted to community wellbeing were not only beneficial, but also boosted learning outcomes. 

Danebank Wellness Learning Day

For this reason, this Friday (13 August) will be devoted to a Danebank Wellness Learning Day. It is a proactive and positive initiative designed to boost wellbeing, support learning engagement and lift the spirits of our community. We would like our girls to stay away from their screens as much as possible on this day. 

In Junior School, the wellness learning day will be tailor-made for each grade according to their stage of development and learning needs. Our teachers will provide specific information to parents and students closer to Friday. Junior School parents can rest assured that, while we will endeavour to reduce screen time, our girls will be provided with a range of creative and engaging activities to enjoy. 

On Friday, there will be no class Zoom meetings for Senior School students. 

For the first part of the day, girls will be encouraged to finalise any assignments, consolidate understanding so far, and catch up on learning as needed. Teachers will be available on email to respond to student queries or assist with catch-up assessments. Then, from lunchtime onwards, our community will engage in various wellness experiences designed to motivate, lift spirits and find joyful moments. 

A Wellbeing and Learning Grid of Activities is being designed for the day, with girls from P-12 encouraged to take part. There will be opportunities for brain exercises, practicing gratitude, physical activity and finding a place of calm. Activities suggested on the wellbeing grid are designed to align with the Visible Wellbeing framework - an evidence-based approach to wellbeing and learning that Danebank is implementing across the whole school and which aims to provide students with a psychological toolkit to feel and function at their best. 

Wellbeing Surveys

As mentioned in my letter last week, we are requesting our community’s views on matters relating to distance learning to continue to improve what we do and how we do this. There is a survey respectively for students, staff and families, regarding both wellbeing and learning. 

To this end, I invite parents to give feedback on this form by 8pm Friday 13 August. It is a short survey and should not take more than five minutes to complete. Students will receive the links to their surveys by tomorrow.

With the uncertainty of the length of the current lock-down and how that will affect our school, your views and feedback are important in helping us plan and improve Danebank’s distance teaching and learning.

As always, thank you for your support and encouragement for our girls and staff.

With warm regards,

Dr Emma Burgess, Principal

COVID-19 and Distance Learning Update

Dear Families

At this morning’s media conference NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that HSC students attending schools in the eight LGAs of concern, including Danebank, will not be allowed to return to school campuses in mid-August as was previously planned. The Premier also announced that all students across Greater Sydney will be undertaking HSC trials online. 

This means that we continue to be in Phase 0 of Danebank’s Return to On-Campus Learning Plan. Given the continuing increase in numbers of Covid infections in the community and the inclusion of Hurstville as an area of concern, I strongly encourage and support families to keep their children at home and learn via Danebank’s Distance Learning Model. 

If it is absolutely necessary, as an essential worker, for your daughter to attend onsite, on-campus distance learning is available in extenuating circumstances. Please register here:

• Junior School: Week 5 and Week 6
• Senior School: Week 5 and Week 6

 Next week, as we look to continually improve the learning experience for our girls, we will invite you to share your feedback, thoughts for improvement and encouragement, through student, staff and parent surveys. 

Let Hope be Your Anchor

We have now experienced six weeks of lockdown across Greater Sydney. This has impacted the way we live, work and learn. This difficult situation is set to remain at least until the end of August. 

Yet, as always, our community remains hopeful and optimistic in the face of the storm. There is no doubt that these times are unique and unpredictable. There is also no doubt that, as we hold on to our faith and hope in our Saviour, we will overcome the challenges ahead together as we have in the past. 

Last year, when we faced the storm of Covid-19 together, I spoke of the metaphor which likened Danebank to a ship. When we hit the storm of Covid-19, we sailed the rough seas together and charted a path forward despite the unpredictability of the waves. Our crew navigated the new waters well.

This year has been no different. 

We have embraced significant shifts and tacks from face-to-face learning to distance learning with grace and determination. I thank you again for your continued partnership, care and support of one another, our dear students and our staff. You embraced the challenge and together we are learning about our reserves, capacity and resilience, despite sailing through high winds.

Now, as we face the continuing winds and storm, I encourage you, as I encouraged the Class of 2020, with the thought that hope is an anchor for us. The anchor is one of the most important parts of a ship when it sails the sea. An anchor is the principle support or the mainstay for the ship. It is reliable and secure. It steadies the ship and does not let it drift away in the tide. 

Danebank Support

It is my hope that Danebank, with its constancy, support, continuity of learning and care, and well-considered plans, will also bring much needed certainty and solace to our families in the midst of this storm.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the school via [email protected] should you require financial support or assistance. 

Remember also the counselling support available: Junior School and Senior School counsellors can be contacted respectively. Our procedures for connecting with our counselling services are linked here. When counselling is requested, our counsellors will email you the required consent form (which can be viewed at this link).

It is my hope that as a community we will remember that we are not at the mercy of the waves and perils of the pandemic. We have a hope that is firm and secure. We embrace courageous optimism, knowing that we will see better days. Jesus is an anchor for our souls. As the Psalmist says: Mightier than the waves of the sea, Is His love for you (Psalm 93:4).

COVID-19 & Distance Learning Update  新冠病毒和远程学习情况更新

Dear Families 

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both locally and internationally. This has been an extraordinary, unprecedented and challenging time for us all. Despite these challenges, we remain optimistic and hopeful in our faith. 

Lockdown Extension

As you would be aware, today the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, announced a four-week extension of lockdown for those within Greater Sydney to Saturday 28 August. 

The announcement detailed a number of things relevant to Danebank.

Distance Learning

• Distance learning will continue for students in Pre-K to Year 11 for the entire four weeks.

• Year 12 students are to return to face-to-face learning on Monday 16 August, with the Government finalising plans for the resumption of in-class study under strict Covid protocols. 

• Given this announcement, Danebank’s Year 12 HSC Trials will go ahead on campus, beginning on Monday 16 August. A separate communication will follow for Year 12 families and students once we have been provided with these guidelines from NSW Health outlining implications and details.  

LGAs of Concern and Authorised Workers

Those living within the Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River Local Government Areas (LGAs) are subject to an Authorised Workers Order. Only authorised workers (including schools and education)  in these eight LGAs may leave their LGA for work. 

All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days in order to leave their LGA for work. People who live in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but work outside these areas as authorised workers must be tested once every three days in order to be allowed to go to work outside their LGA.  

As is always the case, our comprehensive planning and well-considered and measured approach means we are well prepared for this situation. 

Campus-related Arrangements

As a result of the announcement today, the following will occur: 

• Danebank will continue its operations in Phase 0 of our Return to Campus Learning Model  where distance learning continues until 28 August 

• Given the announcement today, including the inclusion of Hurstville (George’s River LGA) as an area of concern, I strongly encourage and support families to keep their children at home and learn via Danebank’s Distance Learning Model

• As always, in accordance with our Health Action Plan, we require that families, staff and students who have any Covid or flu-like symptoms get tested and then isolate, wherever you may reside. Where students display even the mildest of symptoms, as per our Health Action Plan, they will be placed in a room under supervision with a mask on and required to be picked up and taken home.

• If it is absolutely necessary for your children to attend onsite, on-campus distance learning is available for students of essential workers or those in extenuating circumstances:

• Junior School: Week 4 and Week 5

• Senior School: Week 4 and Week 5

• We continue with the cessation of all non-essential learning activities

• The Aquatic Centre remains closed

• No excursions, interschool learning or activities will occur

• For the Senior School, Study Hall and the After School Study Centre are available via distance learning: 

• Study Hall zoom (Monday to Thursday, 3pm to 4pm) 

• After School Study Centre (Monday, mentors for Year 12 only)

• In the Junior School, various activities such as the instrumental program will be offered online 

Wellbeing During Extended Periods of Lockdown 

As we consider the weeks ahead, it will be important to support sustainable learning and wellbeing practices for our community. 

Danebank has begun work on a model to facilitate wellbeing breaks for our community, where learning continues with built-in opportunities to move and be away from screen time. We are currently exploring more ways to lighten the burden of Zoom sessions and online teaching and learning on our girls and teachers. I will inform you of these once our plans have been finalised.

We know that the extension of the lockdown has been disheartening for many of us and that there are additional pressures on families and our girls. Please encourage your daughter to reach out to our wellbeing staff and to utilise our counselling services. Our procedures for connecting with our counselling services are linked here. When and/or if counselling is requested, our counsellors will email you the required consent form (which can be viewed at this link). 

The supports available are listed below for you. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the extended lockdown, please contact [email protected]. 

In the Senior School

• Senior School Counsellors are Ms Hanslow and Mrs Middleton. You can contact [email protected] if you require support. Sessions will be run via Zoom or phone. Please read about our Zoom Child Safe practices and print and sign the consent form for Senior School students when it is sent home from the counsellor. 

• Year Coordinators

• Mrs Flick (Assistant Head of Senior School) [email protected]

• Mrs Vos (Acting Head of Senior School) [email protected]

In the Junior School

• Junior School Counsellors are Miss Jackson and Miss Petith. You can contact [email protected] if you require support. Sessions will be run via Zoom or phone. Please read about our Zoom Child Safe practices and print and sign the consent form for Junior School students when it is sent home from the counsellor. 

• Class teachers or Stage Coordinators 

• Mrs Fraser or Mrs Uebel (Assistant Heads of Junior School) 

• Mrs Buckley (Head of Junior School) 

In addition, Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) can be accessed for phone and online counselling, with Lifeline phone counsellors on call from 7pm to midnight, and Kids Helpline available 24/7. Eheadspace also offers free online and telephone support and counselling. 

Child-Safe Practices at Danebank during Distance Learning

TASC has developed guidelines (Use of Video Technologies to Support Students) for Child Safe Practices at Danebank During Distance Learning to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and also our teachers and counsellors. Please work through and implement these as they are aimed at also protecting our staff.

The practices include: 

• Child Safe Practices: Danebank maintains child-safe practices at all times when in Zoom lessons.

• Privacy in your home: We encourage students to, where possible, not Zoom from their bedrooms where personal or identifiable objects may be on display. If this is not possible, please blur the background on the Zoom call, or add a different screen background to maintain privacy.

• Recording lessons: Rarely, the recording of a lesson, or part thereof, may be necessary, such as to provide instruction to a student who cannot attend. In the very rare instances this may be required, Danenbank’s practises are explained in the guidelines. Permission should be requested for every recording.

• One-on-One meetings: One-on-one meetings may be required between staff and a student. To ensure the wellbeing of and to protect the staff member and the student, we outline specific steps and requirements from the staff member and the student and her family.

Danebank Covid Portals 

Please continue to refer to the Danebank Covid portals for any updates and important information.

• Danebank Distance Learning Portal spells out the details of our distance-learning plan and lists Frequently Asked Questions.

• COVID-19 Information Portal for all Danebank's previous communications in relation to COVID-19, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. This link also provides information about our Health Action Plan and Financial Hardship information.

• Danebank From A Distance 2021 for advice, news, videos and pictures of life on campus and at home while we are social distancing. Please visit this regularly and send your contributions to: [email protected]

Thank You

We are so thankful for your ongoing and valued support and partnership as we continue to navigate the situation together. Your emails, notes of encouragement and thoughtfulness have encouraged staff who, like the rest of us, are mostly working from home alongside juggling families and their personal situations too. They have been magnificent in their support of each other and of the girls’ learning, working exceptionally hard to ensure high-quality teaching and learning experiences for our girls via the distance-learning model, with consideration of the feedback given from our community last year. 

I pray for our girls, our families and our community as we approach this extended lockdown.

COVID-19 & Distance Learning Update  新冠病毒和远程学习情况更新

Dear Families

I am writing regarding the latest announcement from the NSW Premier about further restrictions related to Covid-19. I also address some financial and invoice matters below.

I would like to again assure you of our care and support, as well as our unwavering commitment to the continuation of high quality teaching and learning and the wellbeing of your daughter as we navigate these ongoing challenges together. Over the next two weeks we will continue with Danebank’s outstanding distance-learning program. I would like to acknowledge our staff’s magnificent efforts in shifting to this platform again with such grace and agility. 

Learn from home

In line with the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Health advice, learning from home is strongly encouraged. NSW Health continues to stress to the community the importance of keeping children at home, wherever possible, and to minimise mobility to stop the spread of the virus. Parents and carers in greater Sydney must keep children at home unless they absolutely need to be at school. 

We continue with the great majority of our staff working from home and require that those who are vulnerable stay at home. 

In the spirit of the tighter restrictions which aim to reduce mobility across Greater Sydney, I do encourage you to carefully consider whether it is absolutely necessary that your daughter come on campus at this time. We have a skeleton staff onsite only. Our campus remains open for those who need it, including Year 12 students who need to access resources for Major Works and for students from families where it is essential that they come on campus for supervision. 

Parents must keep children home if they can, no matter their age or whether in Junior or Senior School. Students will be supported to learn from home. Our Out Of School Hours Care, ‘Extend’ services are open for any child that needs it. All non-core curriculum related activities have ceased on site. 

As always, in accordance with our Health Action Plan, we require that families, staff and students who have any Covid / flu-like symptoms to get tested and then isolate, wherever you may reside. Where students display even the mildest of symptoms, as per our Health Action Plan, they will be placed in a room under supervision with a mask on and required to be picked up and taken home. 

Face Masks

While our Health Action Plan requires all staff and students in Year 7 and up to always wear a mask indoors, I want to draw your attention to the additional NSW Health mask rules, announced yesterday, that people in Greater Sydney are required to always carry a face mask with them. Please click on the link for the details.

I encourage all in our community, including students and staff to ensure the students always wear their masks correctly, covering their nose and mouth, at all times. 

On-site registration

A reminder to all coming on campus, to sign in with both the NSW QR code and Danebank’s Who’s on Location app.

Financial Hardship 

We do acknowledge and understand that this is also financially a difficult time for some of our families. Danebank recognises the financial impact may be challenging, both initially and in the aftershock of the crisis. We anticipate that the effects on our wider community, and particularly on many individual families, will be with us for some time. 

Please be assured that Danebank does not want girls to leave our School due to Covid-19 and we are committed to support and work in partnership with families experiencing financial hardship. 

We understand that the timing of the onset of Covid restrictions this year coincided with the issuing of Term 3 invoices. Many families have paid these invoices in full. The School acknowledges that Sundry Charges and Service Fees may have been charged for learning experiences that may not go ahead due to the restrictions imposed. We plan to address this in the Term 4 billing. 

If you need any additional support due to the unforeseen circumstances caused by Covid-19, please contact our Head of Finance and Administration, Ms Beth Ellerman: [email protected] or 9580 1415.

COVID-19 & Distance Learning Update 新冠病毒和远程学习情况更新

Dear Danebank Community

I trust this letter finds you all well and safe. I am praying for your health, wellbeing and safety at this time.

With the NSW Premier’s announcement today of an extension of distance learning for at least two extra weeks, until Friday 30 July, I want to advise of the following arrangements. 

We continue to be in Phase 0 of our Distance Learning Plan with associated restrictions and requirements. Below I discuss some details.

At-home study materials

The NSW Government indicated families will be allowed to collect study materials required for distance learning from school, so families will be allowed to come to the campus to collect study material or resources in a Covid safe manner.

Junior School

Our Junior School teachers have been working tirelessly to put together resource packs for the girls to use over the coming weeks while distance learning is still in place.

In coordinating the collection of these packs, we have organised a drive-through process, similar to our afternoon pick-up procedures, to make it as smooth and quick as possible while also observing Covid-safe practices.

The packs will be available for collection this Friday (16 July) during two time periods: 9am to 11am and 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Staff will bring the packs out to your car, so you do not have to leave your vehicle.

Please choose the time most suitable for you and assist us by following these steps:

• Only one parent or carer to come and collect the materials 
• Line up in your vehicle to collect packs from the Junior School entrance in Park Road
• Place an A4 sign in the front window of your car with your daughter’s name and class clearly visible
• Wear a mask
• Do not leave your car

Staff, who will be wearing masks, will bring the packs out to your car and then you can drive away.

Senior School

Staff continue to work exceedingly hard preparing materials. The great majority of these materials are available electronically through email or our Canvas learning system.

Students will be allowed on campus to collect resources that may have been left in lockers or a classroom. If you need to come and collect your resources, please call our Senior School to make an appointment: 9580 1415. 

Life Skills

Our dedicated Life Skills teacher team will personally home-deliver school work in a Covid-safe, no-contact way for our Life Skills students.

On-campus supervision

The aim of the lock-down and distance learning is to minimise the movement of people and keep everyone safe, this includes parents, students and our staff. In support of this, the great majority of Danebank staff are working from home. 

We continue to provide on-campus supervision for students of essential workers or for those in extenuating circumstances only. If your child needs on-campus supervision, please link here:

Week 2

Junior School Week 2: Monday 19 July to Friday 23 July

Senior School Week 2: Monday 19 July to Friday 23 July

Week 3

Junior School Week 3: Monday 26 July to Friday 30 July

Senior School Week 3: Monday 26 July to Friday 30 July

Our Health Action Plan requires that, even if a person has the mildest Covid or flu-like symptom, they do not come to school, and must provide proof of a negative Covid-test before returning to campus. If a student under supervision has any such symptoms, they will be sent home immediately.

Those learning on campus: 

• Wear a mask at all times indoors, required from students in Year 7 and up
• Maintain physical distancing
• Maintain excellent hand hygiene by washing hands regularly and thoroughly
• Always cover sneezes using your elbow or a tissue, throw away used tissues in the bin, and wash or sanitise hands immediately after sneezing

These exemptions apply to the wearing of masks:

• Staff are not required to wear a mask or face covering where it may affect the ability of students to hear or engage with them, such as where clear enunciation and communication is essential. 
• Early childhood staff are exempt from wearing face masks when they are working directly with children. However, staff are recommended to wear masks or face coverings otherwise, whenever indoors. 
• Masks or face coverings are not required to be worn by a staff member or student who has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable, for example if they have a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism, or trauma. 

Signing in

While we want to minimise people on campus, if you do need to visit or study on campus, please sign in using both the Service NSW  QR code as well as our Who’s on Location app.

Visitors

Non-essential visitors are not permitted on the campus. 

Danebank requires that parents and carers stay in the car when dropping off and picking up children if it is safe to do so. This does not apply to drop off and pick up from Extend (OSHC), as sign-in and -out procedures are required via the Extend gate.

Should parents or carers need to come on site, 

• Follow the physical distancing advice and avoid gathering outside of school gates
• Adhere to mask-wearing requirements and sign-in using the Service NSW QR code when entering the campus (see below).

NSW Health wants to severely limit movement out of the Fairfield LGA. In support of this, staff and families who live in this LGA are asked to follow NSW Health Advice.  

Senior School Notices

• The HSC Trials have been moved to Week 5. Details will follow in due course. 
• We are awaiting advice from NESA regarding Major Works deadlines. 
• Showcase has been postponed with a new date to be confirmed in due course. However, we will create an online showcase for all to enjoy.
• Senior School students who need to come onsite to access resources for major works continue to be permitted to do so under teacher supervision. 

Student wellbeing

As always, our teachers and support staff are committed to ensure the wellbeing of our students. Our Who to Contact list provides the email addresses of counsellors and staff to contact.

School operations and events

In line with Phase 0 of our Returning to On-Campus Learning Plan we are considering the way forward for those events scheduled within this time of distance learning. We will communicate with students and parents about these in due course, in the meantime:

• Extend OSHC will continue to operate for families who need it
• The Canteen is open through Munch Monitor with a limited menu
• The Uniform Shop is closed
• Continued enhanced cleaning and hygiene supply arrangements are in place
• No P&F activities on campus
• Aquatic Centre closed

Your Questions

If you have any questions, please visit the FAQ section on our Covid portal. Otherwise, click here to connect to the Google form for this purpose. Responses will be provided by staff as appropriate.

Danebank Portals

There are three Danebank portals for families to utilise. Please familiarise yourself with them again. 

• Danebank Distance Learning Portal spells out the details of our distance-learning plan and lists Frequently Asked Questions.
• COVID-19 Information Portal for all Danebank's previous communications in relation to COVID-19, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. This link also provides information about our Health Action Plan and Financial Hardship information.
• Danebank From a Distance Portal for advice, news, videos and pictures of life on campus and at home while we are social distancing. We have started updating content to reflect 2021. Please visit this regularly and send your contributions to: [email protected]

I thank you for your continued support, through prayers, emails and personal messages of encouragement. The staff and I deeply appreciate these.

During these times, I am encouraged in the hope that God is with us, for us and He will sustain us. I am also encouraged in the knowledge that our community will emerge even stronger than before, supported by our exceptional and caring staff who unswervingly support each girls’ wellbeing and continued learning.  

COVID Update 新冠病毒情况更新

Term 3 Distance Learning

As foreshadowed in the media earlier this morning, today the NSW Premier announced that Greater Sydney will remain in lockdown for a further week in response to the latest highly transmissible strain of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The extended lockdown in Greater Sydney means that Danebank will shift to distance learning next week for four days, from Tuesday 13 July. This means that Danebank is now in Phase 0 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan.

Indications at this stage are that we will engage in distance-learning options (Phase 0) only for Week 1 of Term 3. However, we expect further restrictions when students return to campus.

We acknowledge that this news will be difficult for many in and beyond our community as there are so many implications for businesses, families and those who may be unwell at this time. We continue to pray for our community, trust in God’s care and are hopeful that this will ease soon. 

I am appreciative of your ongoing partnership and support at this time. I am also deeply encouraged in the knowledge of how well our community came together and navigated the challenges of the pandemic, distance learning and the gradual return to on-campus learning in similar circumstances last year.

Our outstanding staff are ready to implement our established plans in the coming days. Please encourage them and your daughters in the learning they engage in, reassuring them that all will be well. 

As always, the wellbeing and safety of our girls, staff and community, along with the continuity of learning for all girls, are at the centre of every decision we make. In light of this, there are a number of arrangements I draw your attention to. These will take time to read, but please be encouraged to continue on. 

There are Danebank portals for families to utilise at this time. Please familiarise yourself with them again. 

• Danebank Distance Learning Portal spells out the details of our distance-learning plan and lists Frequently Asked Questions.
• COVID-19 Information Portal for all Danebank's previous communications in relation to COVID-19, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. This link also provides information about our Health Action Plan and Financial Hardship information.

Phase 0

We have the planning and technology in place to allow us to deliver excellent distance learning. This means teaching and learning will continue and students will have full access to their learning and subject specialists.

We will now activate our comprehensive plans to allow us to continue and deliver distance learning. This means that Danebank is at Phase 0. 

Phase 0 at Danebank means:

• Families are supported to keep their children at home and learn from home via Danebank’s Distance Learning Model
• On-campus distance learning is available for students of essential workers or those in extenuating circumstances 
• EXTEND (After or Before School Care) will be operational. EXTEND will contact registered families regarding this. 
• No excursions, activities or inter-school activities will occur
• The Aquatic Centre will be closed
• Counselling will be available to all students. Further details for accessing counselling services will be sent in a separate communication from your Head of School. 

Regarding on-campus distance learning: 

• To assist with our planning, daughters of essential workers or families with extenuating circumstances are asked to register for on-campus distance learning by 9.00am on Monday 12 July. Use the respective Google Registration Forms:
  • Junior School
  • Senior School
• While they undertake distance learning on-campus, students will be supervised by staff in designated rooms. Please note that this will not be in their classrooms nor with their classroom teacher. 
• The canteen will be operating for staff and families who are on-campus. Please use Munch Monitor to order.  If you do not already have an active MunchMonitor account, go to https://www.munchmonitor.com\/Account/SchoolRegister and follow these steps: 

1. Enter the School ID: danebank 
2. Enter the School Password: munch2220 
3. Follow the steps to create an account

• Our buses will be operational for girls from specific families as mentioned above. A separate communication will follow. 

To adhere to the intent of the distance-learning period and reduce mobility amongst the community, we are not encouraging students and families to come on-site to collect resources that may have been left on campus last term. In extenuating circumstances, please contact your Head of School (Mrs Buckley or Mrs Vos). 

Students in Year 12 

We are particularly mindful of our Year 12 students and are undertaking careful planning to best support each student. I will be sending a separate communication home this week to Year 12 families following a meeting with NSW Independent School Principals, NSW Health and governing authorities. For now: 

• Year 12 students can continue to attend our campus during the current school holidays and throughout next week to prepare for practical and performance if they can’t do so at home. Arrangements must be made with class teachers and under their supervision. Students need to sign in at reception and are encouraged to wear masks
• At this stage, the HSC Trials scheduled for Week 3 in Term 3 will continue 
• NESA have provided information for HSC Students here

Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan

Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan is designed to allow the continuation of high-quality teaching, learning and care from a distance. Learning from a distance at Danebank promotes active engagement in authentic, meaningful learning experiences to support deep understanding. 

Danebank acknowledges that our teaching and learning will not directly replicate that which occurs when on campus. Effective and meaningful learning is not limited to an online platform. Our girls will not be constantly online for 7-8 hours a day. Rather, learning experiences will incorporate explicit instruction in content, discussion, questioning, reading,  being physically active, writing, making and games, along with receiving effective feedback. 

Senior School Arrangements

• In response to feedback from last year, students will Zoom with their subject teacher at the beginning of each lesson. This may be a check-in to start the lesson before students begin to work independently, or it may form a full lesson for the period. 
• Instructions will be given by class teachers via email and through our Canvas learning management system. 
• Year Coordinators, School Counsellors ([email protected]),  the Assistant Head of Senior School and the Head of Senior School will be available for pastoral support and to assist students and their families. 

For the Senior School Girls

• Dress at home is mufti; dress at school is uniform. Danebank expectations for appropriate dress when wearing mufti to school, also applies when learning from home. 
• Follow your timetable and school hours (8.15am to 3pm).
• In response to feedback from last year, teachers will ensure there is a small window of time (5 minutes) between one class ending and another beginning. This is to allow you to take a quick break, go to the bathroom, stand up and stretch and organise their space for a new subject. You will start your lesson, via zoom 5 minutes after the regular start time.
• Check Canvas and your email for daily instructions from your teachers.
• Join the Zoom session at the beginning of each lesson.
• Be on time for your scheduled virtual meetings.
• Your teachers will be available throughout the day via email.
  • We are here to help, so reach out if and when you need us or if you have any problems
  • Our main platforms for Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan are Canvas, Google Suite, Office 365.

For further information and arrangements, please visit the Danebank Distance Learning portal.

Junior School Arrangements

• For our Junior students, work will continue to be set by their class teachers. Students will need access to the internet and a personal or family device. For those families where access to technology is of concern in the Junior School, please send an email to request to [email protected]. We will ensure a Chromebook is made available for you to collect from the Junior School office.
• Teachers will check in with their classes each day via Zoom. Parents will receive communication from the classroom teacher regarding this. 
• Instructions will be given by class teachers via Seesaw. 
• Some work will be made available via platforms that our students are familiar with, such as:
  • Seesaw, Canvas and Google Suite (for some things)
  • Additional apps such as Mathletics, Literacy Planet and others may be incorporated. 
• School Counsellors, the Assistant Head of Junior School and the Head of Junior School will be available for pastoral support and to assist students and their families.

For Junior School Girls (Pre-K to Year 6)

• Dress at home is mufti; dress at school is uniform. Danebank expectations for appropriate dress when wearing mufti to school, applies at home. 
• Complete your tasks as you can during the day. 
• Check Seesaw, Canvas and emails for daily instructions from your teachers. 
• Your teachers will be available throughout the day via email.
• We are here to help, so reach out if and when you need us or if you have any problems.  

Teachers will monitor student engagement with course work and provide feedback on submitted learning tasks for all students from Kinder to Year 12.

Communication with your daughters

Finally, for some of your daughters this news will contribute to concern and anxiety. I encourage you to speak directly with your daughter, even the youngest ones, and to listen to their concerns. Provide them with factual, age-appropriate information and reassure them of all the work being done by the authorities, the medical profession and the School to protect them and us all. 

In the coming days, please expect further communication from the School, including a communication from either the Head of Senior School or Head of Junior School, Year Coordinators and classroom teachers. 

If any of the above causes any particular difficulty or if you have any specific concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to do so on this form and we will be in contact with you. 

Dear Danebank Community

As you would be aware, the NSW Premier has announced that Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong, is in lockdown from 6pm Saturday 26 June until 11.59pm Friday 9 July.  This is a mechanism to contain the community spread of the new variant of COVID-19.

Please be assured that our commitment to the wellbeing and safety of our community and the continuation of learning for our Danebank girls remains unswerving. These times are unique and we will overcome the challenges ahead together. As always, we will continue to take a measured, informed and well-considered approach in managing our response to the situation. For now:

• The school holiday period continues, albeit, in lockdown.
• All non-essential school-based activities in non-term time will cease.
• Extend Squad Holiday Program will continue to operate under Essential Services Care with its COVIDSafe Plan in place.
• Those staff who would be working through the non-term time, are encouraged to work from home if they are able to do so.

I draw your attention to our Health Action Plan, Frequently Asked Questions and Danebank Distance Learning Portal. Please re-familiarise yourself with these also. 

Finally, we are hopeful that the lockdown period will be lifted on Friday 9 July as currently stated. In the event that it is extended, I wish to reassure you that we are well prepared and have robust systems and plans in place for distance teaching and learning, should that be required. These include our Danebank Distance Learning Plan and our Phased Return to On-Campus Learning Plan. We are committed to ensuring our girls will continue to have access to excellent learning opportunities under all circumstances.

I will communicate arrangements for Term 3 closer to the time.

COVID Update 

Dear Danebank Community

I am writing to you about the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. As always, we continue to monitor the situation closely and respond to NSW Health advice to keep our community safe. 

NSW Health continues to list venues of concern, associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Please regularly check the NSW Government COVID-19 news and updates for the venues and locations and adhere to advice where required. 

If you have visited one of the venues of concern during the times and dates specified, please get tested immediately and follow the instructions on the NSW Government website. 

Today NSW Health introduced new restrictions to protect the people of NSW. These will come into effect from 4pm today for one week. 

The new restrictions are as follows: 

• Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests, including children
• Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events
• Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed
• Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed
• Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs; however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the bridal party only (no more than 20 people) 
• Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn)
• The one-person-per-four-square-metre rule will be reintroduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals
• Outdoor seated events will be limited to 50% seated capacity
• Previous public transport capacity limits, represented by green dots, will be reintroduced
• If you live or work in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas, you cannot travel outside metropolitan Sydney for non-essential travel.

Masks are now mandatory on public transport and in all public indoor venues across the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour (excluding the Central Coast and Hunter) until 12.01am on Thursday 1 July 2021. This applies to students aged 12 years and over, and staff when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services. See the NSW Health face-mask rules for additional information.

These restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of further community transmission. 

If you are planning to come to our Danebank campus for any reason as of tomorrow into the next week, I would ask you to: 

• Not visit the campus if you live or work in any of the hotspot areas listed above or have been to any of the specifically listed venues
• Stay at home and have a Covid test should you experience the slightest cold or flu symptoms
• Sign in at the main reception as per our usual process
• Wear a mask while on campus (indoors and outside) as per NSW Health instructions
• Maintain physical distancing

I draw your attention to our Health Action Plan and Frequently Asked Questions.

Please re-familiarise yourself with these also. 

With warm regards, 

Dr Emma Burgess

Principal

Dear Families

Term 3 Arrangements Considering COVID-19 

We continue to be guided by health authorities as we plan and ensure that our community remains safe and excellent learning continues. 

NSW Health has advised that stay-at-home restrictions for NSW residents who have visited Victoria will no longer apply from 12.01am on Friday 11 June. This is in line with the Victorian Government's decision to lift its stay-at-home restrictions. 

This means that for Danebank staff and students, we can continue to attend school to work and learn, except for the following reasons: 

• Girls and staff must remain at home if they are unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms. If they are unwell they must receive a negative COVID test and be symptom-free before returning to school.
• If students or staff have been to a venue of concern, they must comply with the self-isolation and testing requirements as directed by the relevant Health Department. If they attended any of the venues identified on the Victorian Government website at the times listed, please contact NSW Health immediately on 1800 943 553.
• If students are travelling from outside the “border bubble” defined by the this map, you will need to sign a declaration in accordance with NSW Health requirements. The declaration form is available on the Service NSW website, and can be completed in the 24-hour period before entering NSW or on arrival. The information gathered via the travel declarations is vital in allowing NSW Health to contact travellers if necessary.

I do encourage you to consider your travel plans in light of the above and any emerging restrictions. 

Final Thoughts

Finally, I do hope that you are able to enjoy a relaxing and restorative time over the next weeks, prior to the commencement of Term 3. 

We are looking forward to welcoming the girls back soon. 

With warm regards,

Dr Emma Burgess

Dear Parents and Carers

I trust this letter finds you all well, having enjoyed a lovely week. This letter is regarding two matters pertaining to the safety and care of our community. 

COVID-19 Updates 

Following the Victorian Government announcing that Victoria will move to restrictions until 11.59pm on Thursday 3 June, NSW Public Health has issued a new Public Health Order. The implications for Danebank is that: 

• Anyone travelling to NSW who has been in Victoria after 4pm on Thursday 27 May must follow the stay-at-home measures that will apply in Victoria. This means they must remain at their home or place of residence in NSW for the seven-day duration of the Victorian measures. People will only be permitted to leave their places of residence for limited reasons, including shopping for essential items, medical care, care-giving, outdoor exercise, and essential work or education, if you cannot do it from home. 
• Staff and students who are subject to the stay-at-home orders, will be supported to work and learn from home during this period. Please contact your school teacher or Year Coordinator to let them know if your daughter will be subject to these restrictions and we will ensure that learning is arranged.
• The NSW Government strongly advises against all non-essential travel to Victoria at this time. 

I wish to highlight the following and encourage your continued cooperation as we practice our COVID-safe guidelines at Danebank: 

• Please review and adhere to our Health Action Plan.
• Staff, students and parents should not attend work or school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
• Please do not come to school if you have any symptoms of being unwell.
• Anyone who is unwell with COVID-19 symptoms is strongly encouraged to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Locations of testing clinics are available via the NSW government website.
• Staff and visitors to schools and offices should maintain 1.5m distance from other people where practicable. Avoid congestion of groups of visitors in specific areas where possible.

All visitors to a school site must comply with our sign-in arrangements for each visit, which includes using the Service NSW QR Code. Parents and carers who are dropping off or picking up students do not need to sign in or use the Service NSW QR code.

Dear Families

New COVID restrictions announced

You may be aware that the NSW Premier has announced new COVID restrictions in light of recent cases in the community. These restrictions will take effect from 5pm today (Thursday 6 May) until 12.01am Monday 10 May.

As always, and especially in light of this, we ask that any member of our community who has any COVID symptoms, not attend school, but have a COVID test and isolate until a negative result has been received.

Changes that affect our school

• Masks on public and Danebank transport
• All students using public transport after 5pm today and at any time tomorrow (Friday 7 May) must wear a mask, while on the transport and in all public indoor venues (such as train stations).
• Masks are to be worn by students (over the age of 12 years) on Danebank’s own bus services tomorrow. 
• Parents are to wear face masks while on campus
• Singing by audiences during assemblies is not permitted

There are no changes to

• Our sign-in procedures when visiting our campus: we will continue to use both the Service NSW QR code and the Danebank Who is on Location app. 
• Various current Danebank Covid plans remain in place, and I encourage you to familiarise yourself once again with:
• Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should a student test positive to COVID-19
• Health Action Plan
• Physical distancing is not required for students.
• Physical distancing requirements remain for adults. We encourage our community to maintain physical distancing when on campus to minimise the risk of possible transmission of COVID-19.

Junior School Mothers

We are thankful we can still go ahead with our Mother’s Day celebration tomorrow, albeit with some precautions. These are:

• Neither students nor parents are to attend if unwell even with mild COVID symptoms. Please get a COVID test and self isolate until a negative result has been received
• Parents are to sign in using the Service NSW QR code
• Parents are to wear face masks while on campus, indoors and outdoors
• Singing by the audience during the morning assembly is not permitted and parents will sit separately from students. We are pleased that our 5Z assembly presentation is still going ahead.
• Elderly and vulnerable guests should reconsider whether to attend
• Adults are to socially distance wherever possible
• Practice good hygiene by washing or sterilising hands regularly
• Light refreshments will be served in a COVID-safe manner

We understand should any of our Junior School mums not feel comfortable to attend and there is no need for you to update your RSVP response. 

I would like to encourage all the members of our community to continue COVID-safe practices.

COVID-19: Term 2 Update

I am delighted to share the updated COVID-19 Guidelines from NSW Health for Term 2 which contain further lifting of restrictions. The changes to arrangements are:

General Arrangements

• A COVID Safety Plan is only required where there are 100 or more external visitors gathering for indoor events or 200 or more external visitors for outdoor events.
• There are no restrictions on catering.
• There are no requirements for wearing a mask at indoor venues or while using transport services. Students, parents and staff are permitted to wear a mask, should they wish to.
• Physical distancing is now recommended where practicable rather than required for adults, and students do not need to physically distance.
• A strong focus is to be maintained on accurate record keeping to support contact tracing in case there is an outbreak given the relaxation on other restrictions. This means that our sign-in arrangements remain in place.
• There are no restrictions on group work or any school-related activities.
• Borders are now open to New Zealand, however, international excursions remain on hold at this stage given the potential complexities if there was a border closure at short notice.
• No capacity restriction in offices.
• Water bubblers are permitted in schools. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles from home that they can refill.
• All state exams can proceed in a COVID-safe way

Music, drama, performances and assemblies

• No restrictions on singing in places of worship or assemblies.
• School assemblies are permitted and parents / carers and special guests may be invited.
• School performances, productions, concerts, speech nights and award presentations are permitted. Parents and spectators may attend.
• Graduations, formals and dances are permitted.

Sport

• Sport activities including weekly sport, carnivals, trials, rep sport and activities, whole school carnivals and inter-school events are permitted.
• The number of participants involved in sport and physical activities at a venue/facility must comply with external venue restrictions.
• Parents/spectators may attend school or external venue events in accordance with the COVID-19 Safety Plan. Please note that some venues, such as major recreational facilities, may have additional safety requirements.
• School sporting activity requirements, whether indoors or outdoors, should align with those in place for other community sporting competitions and training activities in NSW unless held at a venue with additional capacity allowance such as a major recreational facility.

Excursions, camps and field trips

• Events and activities are permitted with Covid-safe arrangements in place. Schools are required to develop a risk management plan for all excursions and offsite school activities. External venues and providers must have a COVID Safety Plan in place.
• Serving individual food parcels is no longer required. Buffet allowed.
• Records of those participating in external events and activities must be maintained for a period of 28 days in accordance with contact tracing requirements. Schools do not need to provide a list of attendees to the venue. 
• Cleaning arrangements are in place for any shared equipment.
• Staff and students should be allocated into groups when travelling on buses to avoid mixing groups for contact tracing purposes.
• Interstate excursions and camps are permitted and can continue where border requirements permit these activities.
• International excursions are not permitted.

External Education and Events

• All school and external education programs can continue to operate in a Covid-safe way. Mixing of students is permitted.
• VET work placements can proceed, subject to the availability of placement and appropriate risk assessments.
• Students are permitted to attend aged care facilities following COVID-19 safety requirements.
• Community events are permitted with COVID safe plans in place if activity is held indoors with more than 100 external visitors or outdoors with more than 200 external visitors.

In addition, the various Danebank COVID 19 plans, which outline expectations on practicing good hygiene and attendance at school (including not attending when unwell and seeking a COVID-19 test when displaying COVID symptoms) remain in place. Danebank will continue its enhanced cleaning arrangements also. Please take a moment to refresh your understanding of each Danebank COVID-19 plan below.

• Danebank Health Action Plan
• Temporary Campus Closure Procedure

Dear Families

As we near the end of the term, I am pleased to share that a number of NSW Health Covid restrictions are being lifted on Monday 29 March. 

What is changing 

• No restrictions on singing. This will mean we are able to sing at Chapel, assembly and other settings. It is good news, indeed.
• Face-mask use, including on public transport, will move from “mandatory” to “strongly recommended” by NSW Health. As a consequence, wearing of masks is no longer compulsory to and from school when on public transport or on our buses. If students or staff would like to continue to wear masks they will be supported to do so. 

What is not changing

• Our sign-in procedures when visiting our campus: we will continue to use both the Service NSW QR code and the Danebank Who is on Location app. 
• Various current Danebank Covid plans remain in place and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with:
  • Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should a student test positive to Covid-19
  • Health Action Plan
• Physical distancing is not required for students.
• Physical distancing requirements remain for adults. We encourage our community to maintain physical distancing to minimise the risk of possible transmission of Covid-19.
• Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks at Danebank will not be prevented from doing so.
• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting Danebank, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons provided and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while at school.

COVID Hot Spot Alert

Dear Families

We have been advised that NSW Health authorities has recorded its first community case of COVID 19 in 55 days, a male security guard. Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Public Health Officer, indicated that, at this stage, it is thought that the areas where the man visited are low risk but nonetheless, advised that we follow NSW Health Advice if you or your family have been in one of the venues outlined below.

There are a number of sites in Hurstville and surrounding areas that the person may have visited, that may affect our families so please read the below carefully.

Contact tracers are in the process of advising those who had used the QR Codes for the venues. There may be some instances where families have been to the below venues and not signed in. Click here to visit the NSW Health Advice Public Health Alert page. 

Close Contacts: get tested and self-isolate for 14 days

If you went to the following sites, you must get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result:

• Pancakes on the Rocks at Beverly Hills507 King George on Saturday March 13 from 10.45am - 12pm.

Casual Contacts: get tested and self-isolate until negative result

If you went to the following sites, you should monitor for symptoms, and if they appear, immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms reappear, you should be tested again.

• Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre (stadium and gymnasium area) on Wednesday 10 March 2021 from 4:15pm to 5:30pm
• Coles, Hurstville Station in Hurstville on Wednesday 10 March 2021 between 9:15pm to 9:46pm
• Coles, Hurstville Station in Hurstville on Saturday 13 March 2021 between 7:30am to 7:40am
• Bexley Aquatic in Bexley North on Saturday March 13 from 9am - 9:30am
• 7 Eleven in Haymarket on Saturday March 13 from 12.20am - 12.25am
• Dae Jang Kum Korean restaurant in Haymarket on Saturday March 13, from 12.15-12.20am
• Hudson’s Coffee Shop, Hurstville Private Hospital in Hurstville on Monday March 8 from 8.30am - 9am
• Hudson’s Coffee Shop, Hurstville Private Hospital in Hurstville on Tuesday March 9 from 8.30am - 9am
• Hudson’s Coffee Shop, Hurstville Private Hospital in Hurstville on Wednesday March 10 from 8.30am - 9am
• Hudson’s Coffee Shop, Hurstville Private Hospital in Hurstville on Thursday March 11 from 8.30am - 9am
• Hudson’s Coffee Shop, Hurstville Private Hospital in Hurstville on Friday March 12 from 8.30am - 9am

Monitor for Symptoms

People are advised to monitor for symptoms if you attended the following places:

• T4 train line from Hurstville to Central arriving at 6.30pm on Friday March 12.
• T4 train line from Central to Hurstville leaving at 7.30am on Saturday March 13.

Thank you for your support and understanding. As the situation can change quickly, we continue to monitor and will communicate any developments.

Dear Families

I am pleased to be able to write to you today to confirm our Danebank Covid-safe arrangements as we welcome you back to campus from Wednesday 10 March. 

Firstly, please be aware that various Danebank Covid plans remain in place and I encourage you to once again, familiarise yourself with these: 

• Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should a student test positive to Covid-19
• Health Action Plan
• Physical distancing is not required for students.
• Physical distancing requirements remain for adults. We encourage our community to maintain physical distancing to minimise the risk of possible transmission of Covid-19. Specifically, adults must maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults (including staff) and other visitors when on the campus.
• Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks at Danebank will not be prevented from doing so.
• Students over the age of 12 and staff must continue to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport, or by chartered or private transport services.
• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting Danebank, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons provided and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while at school.

Our Covid-safe plans for parents and visitors entering our campus are in line with the latest guidelines from NSW Health and the subsequent advice given to the Department of Education. Please read the below carefully for each of the following scenarios: 

• Visiting the campus during the week for an appointment 
• Drop off or pick up 
• Visiting the campus for co-curricular activities or Saturday sport 

When visiting Danebank during the week for an appointment (other than for drop off or pick up)

• We are encouraged to use the Service NSW QR code for visitors as this provides the contact tracers with immediate access to the list of visitors if there is a person with a confirmed case of COVID who attended the school. 
• As a consequence, we will maintain our usual sign in process for visitors (temperature checking and sign in Who’s on Location) to Danebank, as well as use the Service NSW QR Code on entry.
• Use hand sanitiser when entering the campus.
• Please do not enter the campus if unwell, even with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Visitors must maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults (including staff) and other visitors when on the campus, and at school pick-up and drop-off times where practicable.

When dropping off or picking up at Danebank 

• Those who are on site for drop off or pick up must always sign in using the Service NSW QR code. This is on display at all entrances. 
• Those who are on site for drop off or pick up do not need to sign in to Danebank’s Who’s On Location system. This is in line with the NSW Health Guidelines and advice. 
• Use hand sanitiser when entering the campus.
• Please do not enter the campus if unwell, even with the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Visitors must maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults (including staff) and other visitors when on the campus, and at school pick-up and drop-off times where practicable. 

In addition to the Covid-safe practices, the Junior School has a number of usual procedures to ensure a safe environment for our girls, staff and families. These are as follows: 

• All access can only be through the Park Road Junior School entrance.
• Every person must register via the Service NSW QR code, on display on the main glass doors. You must show a staff member that you have registered before you can enter the premises.
• As you come through the glass doors, there will be some tape separating areas in the playground. Please stay to the left side of this tape, closer to the Pre-K classroom and the play equipment. As has always been part of our morning drop-off procedures, we ask parents to gather in a separate area to the students. This allows the girls to spend time with their friends, catching up and playing, before school starts. It also helps the teachers with their duty of care as they supervise the students. 
• You will need to maintain 1.5m distancing from other parents.
• Unfortunately, due to WHS regulations, younger siblings are not allowed on the play equipment.
• We welcome you to stay until the end of the morning assembly but ask that you leave the campus as soon as the girls have moved off to class. 
• Please note that parents are not able to enter the buildings to go to classrooms or visit the teachers unless you have a prior appointment. If you do have an appointment, you will need to check in with the Office staff first and sign in to Who’s On Location. 
• In the afternoon, for the remainder of Term 1, doors will open on Monday to Thursday at 2.50pm. On Friday, doors will open at 2.30pm.
• Once you have collected your daughter, please leave in a timely manner as we need to continue dismissing the other students.

Please note that the drive-through service, morning and afternoon, will continue as normal, following the Kiss-and-Ride arrangements.

When visiting Danebank for Saturday Sport and other co-curricular activities

• Parents and visitors are welcome at the Danebank aquatic centre and gym for Saturday sport.
• Those who are on site must always sign in using the Service NSW QR code. This will be on display at all entrances. 
• Parents are also welcome to attend school sporting events, subject to the external venue’s COVID-19 safety plan.

 We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back to campus soon. 

Dear Families,

I trust that the return to school has been a positive one for you. It has certainly been a delight to welcome the girls back to a new school year.

We continue to appreciate your ongoing and valued support and partnership as we navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic together. 

Covid Regulations: What has not changed 

Various current Danebank Covid plans remain in place and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with:

• Protocol for Emergency Closure of Campus should a student test positive to Covid-19
• Health Action Plan
• Physical distancing is not required for students.
• Physical distancing requirements remain for adults. We encourage our community to maintain physical distancing to minimise the risk of possible transmission of Covid-19.
• Staff and students are not required to wear a face mask while at school. Anyone who wishes to wear their own masks at Danebank will not be prevented from doing so.
• Students over the age of 12 and staff must continue to comply with the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021 when travelling to and from school and during school excursions by public transport, or by chartered or private transport services.
• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting Danebank, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons provided and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while at school.

Updated NSW Health Guidelines

This week NSW Health updated their COVID Safe Guidelines for Schools. There are several implications for us at Danebank. We are encouraged that the health advice continues to be that school is a safe place to be.

What has changed?

• Community outdoor social events and functions can proceed after school hours with restrictions.
• P&F Meetings can proceed on site after school hours with a Covid-19 Safety Plan in place.
• Gatherings are limited to 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
• Parents and carers are not permitted on school grounds except for the reasons below:
  • To purchase or pick up uniforms from the uniform shop
  • Pick-up of students via the administration building if they are unwell
  • Volunteer in educational support roles that are essential
  • Meet with staff with an appointment
• Visitors are permitted to deliver specialist services that are essential to school operations.

COVID Safe QR Codes and Check-in Posters

We are encouraged to use the Service NSW QR code for visitors as this provides the contact tracers with immediate access to the list of visitors if there is a person with a confirmed case of COVID who attended the school.

As a consequence, we will maintain our usual sign in process for visitors (temperature checking and sign in Who’s on Location) to Danebank, as well as use the Service NSW QR Code on entry.

Sport and Physical Activity

• Interschool sport and physical activity can recommence. This means that schools and students may now travel outside their local community.
• Zone carnivals (swimming, cross country, athletics), round robins and gala days involving more than one school, can also recommence.
• Parents, carers and other spectators may attend sporting events and activities held outside of the school site in accordance with the Covid-19 Safety Plan of the venue. There are limits to the number of participants involved in sports to ensure compliance with external venue restrictions. An example of this is our Junior School Swimming Carnival where Bexley Pool has limits on the numbers of people within the site. This means that, unfortunately on this occasion, parents as spectators are not possible.
• No parents, carers or other spectators are permitted to attend activities held on campus during school hours.
• Spectators may attend sporting events and activities held off campus during school hours, in accordance with the Covid-19 Safety Plan of the venue.

As the situation can change quickly, we continue to monitor and will communicate any developments.

Dear Families 

As we look forward to the start of Term 1, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those members of our own Danebank community who have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as others in Australia and world-wide. 

Whilst we are encouraged by the low numbers daily diagnosed in NSW, despite the new cases over the Christmas break, we continue to be vigilant, measured, informed and well-considered in our approach to managing the pandemic at Danebank. 

Our guiding principles for managing the Covid-19 pandemic at Danebank have consistently been: 

• The wellbeing and safety of our girls, staff and community, and ensuring a high standard of health and hygiene protocols,

• Ensuring the continuity of high-quality teaching, learning and care

• Consideration for the specific learning needs of all our girls, including additional learning needs and those who are studying for the HSC.  

We will maintain these guiding principles moving forward. 

Covid-19 Portal 

For those new to our school community, we have a Covid-19 portal which contains all Danebank's previous communications in relation to Covid-19, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. This link also provides information about our Health Action Plan and Financial Hardship information.

Please bookmark the link to our Covid-19 portal as we continually update it with relevant information to ensure adherence to the latest advice from State and Federal Government. You can also find a link to the portal on iDanenet.

Updated NSW Health Guidelines 

On 18 January 2021, NSW Health released new school guidelines related to Covid-19. These guidelines are encouraging as they continue to reassure us that schools are safe places to be. 

The latest updated advice has several implications for us. Please read the information below carefully in preparation for the new year. 

What remains the same

• Students and staff who are unwell or displaying symptoms of respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms must not attend school and should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared. NSW Health requires that anyone with even mild symptoms, self-isolate and be tested for Covid-19. Parents of symptomatic children should provide evidence of a negative result prior to returning to school. In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from the GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.

• Any student or staff member who has been tested must not attend school while awaiting results and must adhere to isolation/quarantine protocols. Please notify the school if the result is Covid-19 positive.

• Any staff or student who has any Covid-19 symptoms will be prohibited from returning to school until proof of a negative Covid-19 test result has been provided.

• Any student or staff member who, while at school, becomes unwell or displays symptoms potentially associated with Covid-19, will be asked to immediately report to sickbay and will be sent home.

• Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 must remain at home for 14 days following that contact.

In addition 

• Danebank will continue its enhanced hygienic practices (e.g. regular washing hands, no sharing food, no hand shaking or physical touching) and additional cleaning process (in addition to the daily standard clean).

• Where possible, the school will minimise mixing of student cohort groups. 

• Staff and visiting adults are strongly encouraged to maintain physical distancing (1.5 metres) between each other. 

• Danebank continues to ensure Covid-19 Safety Plans and record keeping for events are in place. 

• Singing and chanting restrictions remain in place for large groups. For in-class educational activities there are requirements for singing that Danebank will follow. 

• School activities such as sporting carnivals, excursions and overnight camps and special events are permitted, with a Covid Safety Plan in place. 

What has changed in Term 4

Wearing Masks 

An important new requirement is that students (and staff) who travel to and from school by public transport must comply with the NSW Public Health Order to wear a mask. Masks must fit securely around the face and be worn over the nose and mouth to provide best protection. 

Therefore, the NSW Health Guidelines for schools indicate:  

Students 12 years or under and staff who reside or travel to and from Greater Sydney must wear a mask when travelling to and from school, and during school excursions, whether by public transport, or by chartered/ private transport services. There is no requirement to wear facemasks at school, but students and staff may do so if they wish.

As per the Public Health Order, students or adults with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable including, for example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma are not required to wear the mask. 

If Danebank staff or students (regardless of age) would like to wear a mask at school, they are permitted to do so. 

Reviewing the latest locations in NSW (and interstate)

NSW Health advise that visitors, staff, parents and students must monitor the latest Covid-19 locations in NSW (and interstate), reminding attendees to check the locations as a routine part of inter-school sporting activities, excursions and overnight camps. 

NSW Health have advised that widespread temperature screening is not required or recommended in schools. For this reason temperature testing upon arrival for students will not be part of the daily drop off routine. We will review this decision should a new Covid case be reported in a Danebank feeder area / Danebank’s geographical footprint.

Danebank Swimming Carnival

Our Danebank swimming carnivals will proceed, but singing, chanting or cheering will not be part of the event. Senior School girls will be required to wear a mask to and from the event when on the bus. 

Wearing masks when on the school bus to and from regular in-school sporting events will also be required of all students over the age of 12.

Parents Coming on Site 

Parents and carers can enter the school campus to: 

• Purchase or pick up uniforms from the uniform shop

• Meet with school staff with an appointment. These meetings will be limited to one hour where possible and Danebank will have a Covid-19 Safety Plan in place.

• Drop off students for Preschool, Kindergarten and Years 1, 2, 5, 7 and other new students on Orientation Day

Temperature testing for adults or visitors arriving at the school will continue. Please go to reception upon arrival to sign in and have your temperature taken. 

Wearing a face mask is not mandatory for parents and carers visiting, provided they are visiting only for the explicit reasons within this advice and maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices while at school. If parents would like to wear a mask when on site, they are encouraged to do so. 

Parent Gatherings

• Gatherings are limited to 30 people indoors and 30 people outdoors for Danebank (as we are within Greater Sydney).

• Gatherings should be limited to one hour

• P&F meetings can occur after school hours with restrictions

• Community outdoor social events and functions and can proceed after school hours. These are limited to 30  people outdoors for Danebank (within Greater Sydney). 

Danebank will maintain Covid-19 Safety Plans for gatherings, events and learning activities. 

I deeply appreciate and value your ongoing support and partnership as we continue to navigate the challenges of this pandemic together as a learning community.

Dear Families

A warm and friendly welcome to the last term of 2020! This is the shortest term for our school, but one that is jam-packed with activity. I am looking forward to experiencing the events this term brings, including orientations, Christmas celebrations and Speech Night, albeit in different formats than would usually be the case.

COVID-19 Update

On 24 September NSW Health distributed updated advice and requirements for Term 4 regarding COVID-19. The information below outlines guidelines that remain the same, things that have changed and activities that remain on hold. 

What remains the same

• Danebank will maintain enhanced school cleaning, including additional cleaning on site throughout the day.
• We continue to expect good hygiene protocols from our staff and students, including staying home when unwell, regular and thorough hand washing/sanitising, coughing into one’s elbow or a tissue and washing one’s hands immediately.
• Non-essential adults are still not permitted on site. Adults who are on site for the uniform shop, teacher meetings, or family tours are expected to strictly adhere to the above protocols, signing in and adhering to our Health Action Plan. 
• Avoidance of singing, dancing and chanting in general.
• Community use of facilities such as the Greek School and swimming lessons can continue. 
• HSC exam protocols: as communicated to Year 12 students at the end of Term 3.  
• Our Health Action Plan: please visit this link to refresh your memory about how we implement the government Covid-safe requirements in terms of staff and students displaying symptoms. 
• Temperature testing will continue at Danebank, even though this is not essential. 
• Masks: while the wearing of masks to school is not essential, students and staff are permitted to do so.
• As previously, for all school-based activities to proceed, a Covid-safe risk management plan is submitted to the Executive for approval. 

What has changed in Term 4

• Inter-school activities, including sport, can re-commence with COVID-19 safety plans. 
• Where possible, students must stay in their year group. 
• Year 12 formals and graduations can proceed at the conclusion of HSC exams, Thursday 12 November. Strict COVID-19 protocols will apply. Details to follow.
• Orientation, transition experiences, excursions and camps can resume with strict guidelines including approval of a school-based COVID-Safe Risk Management Plan. Details will follow in due course.

What remains on hold for Term 4

• Interstate excursions
• International excursions 
• Face-to-face professional learning for staff
• Parent and carer attendance at assemblies and other school events 
• Parent and carer volunteers, for example parent reading helpers (note: canteen and uniform shop volunteers are permitted) 
• School-based activities that involve large gatherings of adults. These include parent/community gatherings such as parent functions, working bees, fundraisers, school barbecues, large parent information evenings, and large on-site cultural events. 

We will continue to keep you up to date with details as Covid-safe plans are made and approved. I wish you a wonderful term.

Dear Families

As promised in my letter last week, I am writing to inform you how the NSW Health COVID measures for schools will affect Danebank for the rest of Term 3.

We are interpreting and implementing these measures with the spirit and intention in which they have been developed: to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission in school communities. 

Danebank’s updated Health Action Plan and my letter last week preempted and instituted the relevant changes already. These are the cessation of:

• Activities that result in the mixing of students from different school regions, such as sport.
• School groups singing or chanting activities
• The use of wind instruments in groups  
• Social activities such as formals and others that involve parent attendance  
• Overnight events such as retreats, camps and excursions 

One important additional requirement, effective from today, is that any staff member or student who has any COVID-19 symptoms will be prohibited from returning to school until proof of a negative COVID-19 test result has been provided. The school requires two documents as proof to be emailed to Junior School or Senior School:

• Certificate of Attendance from the COVID-19 Assessment Clinic at which you had the test done.
• A screen-grab of the result for the test, which is normally sent as an SMS text message.

The NSW Health document also spells out specific measures schools are expected to adhere to during school hours. Danebank is already adhering to these, however, we will continue to refine our implementation, including the cessation of individual tours of our campus to new families this term.

While not possible to do this for each individual Danebank activity in this letter, I would like to clarify the following specific activities:

• Sport: Danebank will not participate in any inter-school sport for the remainder of this term, instead we will offer sport on our campus on Saturdays so that students can continue to stay active and fit.
• The SRC movie night for Senior School students has been cancelled.
• Year 12 Showcase: we are planning an online showcase where students and their works will be featured
• Junior, Senior and Training Band is cancelled for Term 3.
• Instrumental Program will not be running for brass and woodwind (trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet and saxophone)
• Years 3 and 4 Instrumental Program will be running for strings and percussion only (cello, guitar, violin and percussion)
• Private singing and wind instrument tuition will occur via Zoom lessons from home.
• Students are strongly encouraged to wear masks on public transport and on Danebank’s minibuses to and from school.

Sadly, these measures further limit our celebration of and farewell to our Year 12 students. Further information about this will be provided to Year 12 families in the coming weeks.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our girls is of paramount importance. These changes are expected to be in effect until the start of Term 4, by which time I will have communicated any further changes to you.

Dear Families

I am writing to you to provide a further update on the developing COVID-19 situation as it relates to our Danebank community.

Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our treasured girls are always at the forefront of our decisions as we continue to respond in our proactive, measured and informed way to any new developments. Our planning for various contingencies is well established.

COVID-19 Regulations and their Effect on Danebank Activities

Yesterday a number of key educational leaders in NSW met with Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant to discuss the developing COVID-19 situation in NSW, with particular regard to school communities.

The meeting discussed the following proposed restrictions, which Danebank will implement with immediate effect. We are:

• Restricting the mixing of students between schools in areas such as sports and other co-curricular activities
• Ceasing school-related singing of any kind (where we had previously not sung in groups, we will now cease any singing) or chanting activities
• Ceasing the use of wind instruments in groups
• Ceasing school-related overnight events such as retreats, camps and excursions

For Danebank, this means that the following events will not take place this term:

• Danebank Senior School Athletics Carnival at Sylvania Waters Athletics Track which was to be held tomorrow (Thursday 13 August)
• IGSSA Athletics Carnival (Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August), where several schools were to compete
• The Scots College Friday afternoon soccer experience for Junior School students which was to be held at 5 Sports.
• Life Skills Camp at Teen Ranch
• Year 8 camp
• Years 3 and 4 camps
• Year 5 excursion to Ballarat
• Year 6 excursion to Canberra

Junior School families will receive further correspondence from the Head of Junior School, Mrs Melinda Buckley, with details of other affected activities.

We will soon be communicating with you about our plans for new-look and adapted end-of-year functions such as the Year 12 Showcase and Year 12 Graduation ceremony, as well as our plans for the continuation of sport.

We are expecting the finalised publication of the NSW Health guidelines for schools shortly, and will update our community with any further impacts or changes.

Support and Care

While we are all disappointed about these restrictions, I trust that you will recognise that the decisions are made with the girls at heart.

Our girls continue to have access to the best mental health support we can offer at the school. However, please be encouraged to seek additional support for your family if the need arises:

• Headspace
• Beyond Blue
• NSW Mental Health page

Danebank COVID Health Action Plan

We will continue our well established safety measures covered within our Health Action Plan. This includes additional daily cleaning on the site and temperature checks and screening upon arrival.

We have been experiencing an increase in the number of students -- Senior and Junior -- coming to school with cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat or cough.

These are also COVID symptoms, so I want to draw your attention to our Health Action Plan and emphasise the following:

• Students and staff who are unwell or displaying symptoms of respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19 must not attend school and should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared.
• COVID-19 symptoms can include fever (37.5 °C or higher), cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell. NSW Health requires that such a person self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19 at a testing clinic, even if they have mild symptoms.
• Any student or staff member who has been tested must not attend school while awaiting results and must adhere to isolation/quarantine protocols. Please notify the school if the result is COVID-19 positive.

Therefore, I strongly reiterate the need to not send your children to school if they are displaying any of these symptoms. Should your daughter display any flu-like symptoms when at school, we will use a face mask and contact you to come and collect her.

Please be proactive in this regard and keep your daughter at home when she is unwell. In line with NSW Health regulations, please have her tested for COVID-19 should she display even the slightest symptoms.

Dear Families

I hope this communication finds you all well. I am writing to inform you of two matters.

1. COVID-19 Case in Westfield Hurstville

The Sydney Morning Herald reports this morning that an employee at a nail salon in Westfield Hurstville has tested positive for Covid-19. This has been confirmed in a Facebook post by NSW South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD).

The newspaper quotes Dr Vicky Sheppeard, deputy director of SESLHD, in saying the person worked at ProfessioNail on Wednesday July 22 and Thursday July 23.

According to the SMH, “all close contacts of the case have been identified and directed to self-isolate for 14 days. Casual contacts have also been identified and told to monitor for symptoms.”

It continues: “Dr Sheppeard said there was no broader risk for people who visited Westfield Hurstville, and the business has conducted a deep clean” and that the case has been associated with the south-west Sydney funeral cluster.

A gentle reminder that, as per our School expectations: Students should travel directly to and from school and should not attend Westfield or remain in Hurstville unless accompanied by a parent or carer or if they have a note signed and dated from the Deputy Principal or Head of Junior School.

While the newspaper reports that there is “no broader risk” for other visitors, I wanted to bring this to your attention with Danebank community’s health and safety as a priority. In line with our Health Action Plan, I request that all students and families, and especially those who were in the centre on those days, watch for any Covid-related symptoms, be tested should they occur and self-isolate until the test results come back negative. Here is a link to testing clinics in NSW. If there is a positive result, please notify the school as soon as possible.

Families are also advised that, should they so choose, students and staff can come to school wearing appropriate masks when on public transport and when at school. Here are links to how masks should be used and how to make masks.

2. Man approaching children in Sutherland Shire

I want to encourage you to talk to your daughter about her safety and being aware when out and about. NSW Police have this document available with advice and as a starting point for discussing safety.

This is of heightened importance as we have been made aware that yesterday morning a man approached a student with intent to harm while the student was walking along Warrah Road in Yowie Bay (in the Sutherland Shire). Police have appealed for public assistance to find the man.

Please continue to look after yourselves and be reassured that we are here to support your daughter and family at this ever-changing time.

Dear Families

I trust you are enjoying a lovely holiday and that our girls and young women are looking forward to returning to school next Tuesday! 

Throughout the past six months as we have navigated the waters of coronavirus, I have continued to be amazed by our inspiring, warm, supportive and engaging Christian learning community. I have also been most impressed by the abiding commitment to excellence in thinking, learning, and care. These pillars of wellbeing and learning, underpinned by a firm Christian foundation and culture of excellence are clearly hallmarks of our school.

As we look forward to the Term 3 and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to evolve, I want to confirm some arrangements for Term 3.

Return to Campus Plans 

We will be in Phase 4 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan from the beginning of Term 3. Given the current situation, we will continue to monitor this on a daily basis and move backwards to an earlier phase, should it be required. As always, we will communicate any changes in a timely manner. 

Our guiding principles for the wellbeing, safety and security of our staff, students and families remain. We will ensure our appropriate NSW health and hygiene practices continue. 

We will seek to gradually reintroduce excursions, activities and inter-school activities where it is safe to do so. While we will be guided by health authorities in these decisions, Danebank will also require a risk assessment for any School activity that is being reintroduced, which will be reviewed prior to approval for that activity to proceed. External service providers will be required to have their COVID-19 safety plans presented to and approved by the School before they can start operating on campus again.

At this stage, we ask that, as per last term, parents and visitors not come on to the campus to collect or drop-off students. Similarly, Saturday sport and training will continue to be drop-off and pick-up of students only. IGSSA has requested the same across all venues (no spectators or visitors on site, only students). 

Health Action Plan 

NSW Health requires people who visited Victoria and returned to NSW to self-isolate for 14 days. This requirement stands, even if you are well and not showing any COVID-19 symptoms.

With the virus now in some community spots throughout Sydney, including venues in St George and Sutherland Shire, it is important that we remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and our Danebank community and I want to echo NSW Health's urging of anyone who has visited these venues to get tested for COVID-19.

I also draw your attention to our Health Action Plan which states: 

• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared.
• If someone has even the slightest Covid-19 symptoms - including tiredness, a cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or fever - NSW Health requires that such a person be tested for COVID-19 at a testing clinic. Please self-isolate until you get your results and notify the School if the result is COVID-19.
• Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 must self-isolate for 14 days following that contact.

If you and your family have to self-isolate having returned from Victoria, or in accordance with any of the above points, please email the Junior School and Senior School respectively.

I am certainly looking forward to welcoming you and our cherished girls back to campus soon. 

Dr Emma Burgess, Principal

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of Term 2. Thank you for your continued goodwill and ongoing support as we have navigated the significant challenges of COVID-19 together.

Our prayers and thoughts continue to be with those who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It has certainly been an unprecedented and challenging time for us all.

Throughout this term and last, I have been impressed by the dedicated and professional staff of Danebank who exerted herculean effort to ensure the continuity of high-quality teaching and learning experiences for our girls, whether off-campus or on-campus. Their extraordinary enterprise has ensured that, despite the circumstances, each girl has been able to continue her learning whilst being nurtured, cared for and deeply supported.

I have also been overwhelmed by our girls’ incredible resilience, positivity, gratitude and determination to apply themselves to every learning opportunity afforded to them.  Danebank truly is a special learning community.

Term 3 Arrangements

We will continue to enact our Danebank model for the safe and gradual return to on-campus learning under the COVID-19 pandemic environment when students return to Term 3 on Tuesday 21 July 2020. 

The various Danebank COVID-19 plans remain in place:

• Lockdown Information outlining the School's planned course of action, should someone at Danebank test positive for COVID-19
• Health Action Plan

Danebank’s Return to On-Campus Learning Plan: Term 3

We anticipate that we will enter Phase 4 of our staged Return to On-Campus Learning Plan from the beginning of Term 3, with activities resuming during the term. Incorporating and reflecting NSW Health requirements, Phase 4 will allow for more freedoms, while prioritising the safety and security of our community.

We anticipate that many of our school activities will continue to be modified and adapted to respond to public health advice. Examples would include:

• Co-curricular activities, such as clubs and music ensembles
• Sport with limited numbers and, at this stage, no parents/visitors allowed on site. Click here for NSW Health advice in this regard. 
• Excursions, incursions and programs such as Duke of Edinburgh 
• The number of and reasons for allowing visitors on campus

A risk assessment will be completed for all school activities and be reviewed prior to the resumption of that activity. External service providers will be required to have their COVID-19 safety plans presented to and approved by the School before they can start operating on campus again. These activities include the reopening of the Aquatic Centre, and the resumption of the Years 3 and 4 instrumental program, gymnastics, and IGSSA and Saturday Sport. 

Term 3, Week 1

Whilst we anticipate that from the beginning of Term 3, Danebank will enter Phase 4, we will confirm final arrangements towards the end of the holidays.

Senior Library Extended Hours Service to our Community

We are excited to share that from Week 2, Term 3 Danebank will extend its library hours for students in the Senior School (Years 7-12) from 7.30am to 6pm on Monday to Thursday and from 7.30am to 4pm on Friday. This service to our community is in response to feedback and consultation with parents and students regarding the library.

Our Head of Information Services, Ms Julia Martin, and her wonderful team are planning to open our welcoming learning environment in the library to meet the educational needs of our school community. The provision of extended hours will enable students to study, read, learn and research in a quiet, safe and supportive learning environment. 

Further details will be sent as a separate communication during Week 1 of Term 3.

Dear Families

You may be aware of the temporary closure of two schools yesterday due to students testing positive for COVID-19. While we pray that this will not happen at Danebank, please be assured that we are well prepared for the possibility, as the Premier and Prime Minister have both flagged the likelihood of more such cases.

This letter outlines Danebank’s planned course of action so that families know what to expect in such circumstances. Please read it with care and discuss this with your daughter. The following information stands side-by-side with Danebank’s Temporary Closure of Campus Procedure.

As always, Danebank will communicate with our families via sms, app alerts, email and our COVID-19 Portal.

If a member of the Danebank community has been diagnosed with COVID-19:

• Parents of the affected individual or member of our community are asked to notify the Principal: phone 9580 1415 or email [email protected]
• The Principal will be in contact with NSW Health. 
• Danebank will take instruction from NSW Health and respond accordingly.
• Danebank may be required to go into a short period of lockdown to determine who may have been in close contact (contact tracing) with the infected person. Parents will receive an SMS regarding the lockdown and a follow-up email clarifying the situation.
• Students will not be allowed to leave the campus until NSW Health advises that the lockdown comes to an end. At this time, parents will be alerted and students will be dismissed as described in the Temporary Closure of Campus Procedure.
• People assessed as being a “close contact” will be contacted by NSW Health directly and given appropriate advice. They are usually required to be isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
• People assessed by NSW Health as being a “casual contact” are also informed and provided with appropriate medical advice.
• The length of any subsequent closure of the campus will be determined by NSW Health (estimated to be 24 to 48 hours) while intensive cleaning of the school takes place.
• Due to privacy legislation, the infected individual/s will not be identified by the school.
• Danebank will contact parents of those children who have been in close contact with the infected individual as a follow-up. 
• Parents are required to follow the directions and stated expectations of the school as communicated in the Temporary Closure of Campus Procedure and other communications at the time of the event.

If a member of your household or workplace is suspected to have been in contact with someone who has been tested/diagnosed with COVID-19

• Contact the school to report this: 9580 1415 or [email protected]
• Consult with NSW Health or your GP as to whether a COVID-19 test is recommended for you or your family.
• Seek guidance from NSW Health to determine the required length of absence Plan for your child to stay at home for the required minimum of 24 to 48 hours and up to 14 days

Temporary Closure of Campus Procedure (main points)

It is important that your contact details, held by the school in Edumate, are up to date to ensure you receive any emergency communications. Either change it in the Edumate portal or email the school at: [email protected]

Please click through and read the full Procedure document so that you are informed and can discuss this with your daughter, clarifying, for example, how she is to get home in these circumstances. 

However, here are some main points:

• SMS alert to all community members (i.e. parents/ guardians) outlining that the school campus is in lockdown. 
• An email communication from the Principal advising of the lockdown (reasons given) and informing of the course of action on the day.
• Lockdown will be lifted under NSW Health instruction, after which parents/carers will receive an updated SMS and email about collecting their daughters.
• Communication to follow advising of possible temporary closure of the campus for intensive cleaning and while contact tracing is conducted.
• Parents/carers are not to enter the campus to collect their daughters, they are to wait at the gates or in their cars as they would on a normal afternoon pick-up.
• Dismissal and collection details for Life Skills, Senior and Junior School students and how the dismissals are staggered, are outlined in the Procedure document.
  

Unwell students and staff to stay home

I want to emphasise to all students and members of staff to stay at home when you are unwell and get tested for COVID-19 if you display any flu-like symptoms. This is clearly outlined in Danebank’s COVID-19 Health Action Plan and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with this again in the coming days. Any student or staff member who becomes unwell on campus will be immediately sent home. Likewise, any student or staff member who has a temperature outside the normal range, will be sent home. 
In our management of the risks of COVID-19, we will continue to follow the medical advice and the guidelines.

Please continue to maintain and promote good hygiene, including handwashing with soap and running water for 20 seconds, as this is an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Learning while in 14-day isolation

If students are not unwell, but in self-isolation due to any of the above, school work may be made available as is possible on the applicable learning platforms, e.g.: Canvas, Google suite and Seesaw.

In the Senior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page. However, it is up to the student to access the day’s teaching in the usual way, as would have been the case pre-COVID-19.

Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

Matters of note

• Parents and students are asked to not post details of such an occurrence on social media (including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and to support Danebank as we endeavour to disseminate clear and factually accurate information through our designated communication channels.
• If you are concerned because someone in your household may have been in close contact with anyone at another school where someone tested positive, please follow the advice of NSW Health. If you have concerns, please contact us by email: [email protected]
• We are closely monitoring new COVID-19 cases in our local area and are ready to increase safety measures, should it be required.
• Our current procedure of temperature testing for students, staff and all individuals who enter the campus, will continue, along with all other safety and cleaning measures we have implemented as described in Phase 3 of our returning to on-campus learning plan. 
• It is important to note that it is not possible to keep students physically distanced from each other. 
• The NSW Health COVID-19 website is an extensive source of accurate and up-to-date information.
  
  

We are deeply encouraged by the ongoing support and cooperation of our magnificent Danebank community. 

I want to continue to reassure you that, should further action be required of us at Danebank, we are well prepared for this situation and have well-developed plans in place. We continue to monitor and reassess our activities in the light of advice from NSW Health. 

At times like this, when there is uncertainty and constant change, we are encouraged by the steadfast and unchanging nature of our God. He will sustain us, strengthen us and guide us as we continue to navigate our way through these waters.

Dear Parents

The past days have been a wonderful buzz with the sound of girls learning and laughing on campus. The staff and I have loved seeing the girls and are looking forward to welcoming all of them back to campus on a full-time basis soon. 
We continue to be encouraged by the good news being reported by NSW Health and the NSW Premier, with the numbers of daily diagnosed COVID-19 cases in NSW low and restrictions gradually being lifted.

Yesterday the NSW Premier announced that state schools would expect all students to return to face-to-face learning on Monday 25 May. We have canvassed staff and members of our community regarding this news and its potential implications for Danebank.

No Change in Return to On-Campus Learning Schedule

Whilst staff are excited to welcome all girls back to full-time learning, according to our previously published Term 2: Danebank Phases 1-3 Schedule this is scheduled for Monday 1 June. The schedule allowed for a calm, considered and phased, gradual return.

Therefore, understanding that parents would have planned ahead in line with the schedule, and rather than implement this late and rushed change for state schools, Danebank will continue with our controlled, precautionary phased approach, with all students back on campus on Monday 1 June.

We understand and appreciate that parents of some students in Years 3, 4, 7, and 8 may prefer to send their children full-time from next Monday. If this is the case, please be encouraged to register for on-campus distance learning for these couple of days, where qualified teachers facilitate quality learning. Links below.

We will continually monitor the situation and revise any plans for the safety and security of our community. As always, we will communicate with you in a timely manner, should any changes be necessary. 

Phased Return to On-Campus Learning: What Stage 3 entails

When all students return to campus for five days a week, we will have reached and remain in Phase 3. This means:

• No excursions, activities or inter-school activities
• Private music tuition will resume through the School of Music from 1 June. The School of Music will contact current and previously enrolled families to confirm participation.
• Years 3 and 4 instrumental program, bands and clubs will not resume as yet
• Canteen is open for orders
• The Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as on the first Saturday of the month
• After School Care is available daily from 3pm to 6pm
• Mini-bus service is as normal
• The Aquatic Centre remains closed for Swim School
• No visitors are to be on site

We will continue our additional hygiene and safety measures for the return to on-campus learning for all girls and staff. This includes additional cleaning throughout the day and temperature checks for all on arrival.

Danebank Health Action Plan reminder

 Anyone who has returned from overseas, is to self-isolate for 14 days.

• Everyone who has been in contact with someone who has arrived from overseas, is to exercise a high degree of caution.
• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms, should remain home until the symptoms have disappeared.
• If students or staff have COVID-19 symptoms, which include a cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath or fever, NSW Health requires that such a person be tested for COVID-19 at a testing clinic. Please self-isolate until you get your results and notify the School if the result is COVID-19.
• Anyone who has been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 must remain at home for 14 days following that contact.

‘What if my daughter is ill, or I choose to keep her at home?’

With students returning to full-time face-to-face learning, all online teaching and learning will cease from Monday 1 June as it is not sustainable.

Danebank continues to acknowledge that some parents, staff and students have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, as we transition back to full-time face-to-face teaching, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

Please inform the School of your daughter’s absence via the usual channels:

• Junior School
• Senior School

Class and Home Learning

From Monday 1 June, Danebank will not make individual arrangements to deliver distance learning to students who do not attend school.

In the Senior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page. However, it is up to the student to access the day’s teaching in the usual way, as would have been the case pre-COVID-19.

Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

On-Campus Distance Learning

Families who, next week, need to send their daughters to school every day when not engaged in face-to-face teaching, may do so. 

• Register here for Junior School: Week 5
• Register here for Senior School: Week 5

The staff and I are looking forward to welcome all our girls back on campus!

With warm regards,

Dr Emma Burgess, Principal

Dear Families

We are looking forward to welcoming girls from various year groups back to campus on Monday 11 May (Week 3) as we implement Phase 1 of our Return to On-Campus Learning Plan.  

Teachers have been eagerly anticipating the girls’ arrival and many celebratory surprises have been planned. A Coffee Cart will be in the colonnade from 8am to 11am for our Year 12 and 11 students to enjoy a hot chocolate and a treat with our compliments as they start their day.

Latest Announcement for Return to On-Campus Learning

We continue to be encouraged by the reduced numbers of daily diagnosed COVID-19 cases in NSW and the corresponding directions from authorities regarding the lifting of restrictions.

On Monday this week, the NSW Premier announced that all students are encouraged to be back in classrooms by the beginning of June. This is different to prior advice according to which all students were to return to on-campus learning by the end of Term 2. 

Our Phased Return to On-Campus Learning Plan provides Danebank with well-prepared and sound plans to enact this new requirement.  The Return to On-Campus Learning Plan will serve us well, allowing us to bring all girls back to full-time face-to-face teaching and learning by Monday 1 June (Week 6) by rapidly moving through Phases 1 to 3.

Term 2: Weeks 3 to 6 Arrangements

The revised weekly Term 2: Danebank Phases 1-3 Schedule.

We will continually monitor the situation and will revise any plans for the safety and security of our community. As always, we will communicate with you in a timely manner, should any changes be necessary. 

On-Campus Supervision

Families who need to send their children to school every day when not engaged in face-to-face teaching, may do so. Children will be supervised as they undertake distance learning.

Register here for Junior School

• Weeks 3 and 4
• Week 5

Register here for Senior School

• Weeks 3 and 4
• Week 5

 Student Wellbeing and Care

I want to emphasise that the deep concern for the health and wellbeing of our students and staff, along with the need to provide the best educational outcomes for our girls are always at the heart of the decisions we make.

The NSW Premier has also recently indicated the possibility of further positive cases of COVID-19 when students return to classrooms. Please review Danebank’s Temporary Closure of Campus Protocol established in Term 1, so you can re-familiarise yourself with it in the event that we may need to temporarily close the campus. 

As our students return to campus, Danebank:

• Expects all members of our community to adhere to the Health Action Plan which calls for self-isolation of those who have returned from an international trip or have been in contact with a known case of COVID-19. We also expect parents to keep their daughters at home should they be unwell and especially if they display any cold- or flu-like symptoms.
• Has increased and expanded the cleaning of our facilities, buses and classrooms.
• Has instituted the use of hand-sanitiser upon arrival and in classrooms.
• Is limiting visitors (including parents) on site (please, no visitors on site during Phases 1 to 3).
• Continues to advocate improved hand-washing practice and physical distancing among our students in social circumstances and at the Canteen. 
• Has instituted temperature checks upon arrival at school. 

Temperature Testing

All students and staff will be temperature tested upon arriving at school. We ask that families are supportive and considerate as we undertake this process for the safety of our community. Any students refusing to have their temperature taken will not be permitted on the campus. 

The temperature testing does not require physical contact, as the School is using proximity (non-contact) thermometers. Any students or staff presenting with a temperature in the red range will be directed to the sick bay and required to go home. 

To facilitate this, not all entrances to the school will be open. Staff will be at the following open entrances to test temperatures on arrival:

• Park Road (near the pedestrian crossing) and the Junior School’s “Forest Way” entrance, also on Park Road
• The Colonnade off The Avenue
• Students attending sport early will be tested when they arrive at the Gymnasium
• Life Skills students will be tested on arrival at the half-court entrance.

Danebank Community Portals: Descriptions and Links

Please be encouraged to utilise the comprehensive community communication network, Danebank from a Distance, also accessible via iDanenet, to stay up to date and informed. We have uploaded new content throughout the week from students and families.

You will find links to the three portals we have established for our community as we navigate the pandemic together.

• Danebank Distance Learning Portal spells out the details of our distance-learning plan and lists Frequently Asked Questions.
• COVID-19 Information Portal for all Danebank's previous communications in relation to COVID-19, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. This link also provides information about our Health Action Plan and Financial Hardship information.
• Danebank From A Distance for advice, news, videos and pictures of life on campus and at home while we are social distancing. Please visit this regularly and send your contributions to: [email protected]

With warm regards,

Dr Emma Burgess, Principal

Dear Parents

We are eagerly looking forward to transitioning back to face-to-face learning on campus for all our Danebank girls soon. Once again, I thank you for your continued encouragement and support as we navigate these challenging times together.

This communication outlines our planning for the phased return of students to on-campus learning in the coming weeks. There is also information regarding our financial support of families due to COVID-19. 

We continue to take a measured, informed and well-considered approach in managing our response to the COVID-19 situation. 

Danebank has been encouraged by the greatly-reduced numbers of daily diagnosed COVID-19 cases in NSW and the corresponding directions from authorities regarding the gradual lifting of restrictions in our society. The government’s health advice and emerging studies continue to reassure us that schools are safe places to be and that physical distancing measures are not necessary in schools.

Planning for Return to Danebank

Our guiding principles in planning for a staged, safe and effective transition back to on-campus learning are: 

• The wellbeing and safety of our girls and staff, and ensuring that appropriate health and hygiene protocols continue.
• Ensuring the continuity of high-quality teaching, learning and care. 
• Consideration for the specific learning needs of our girls, including whether there are additional learning needs, our Pre-K girls with specific play-based learning approaches, and our oldest girls who are studying for the HSC. 
• The layout of the Junior and Senior Schools and classroom size. 

Accordingly, Danebank’s plan for students’ return is tailored to our needs and what we believe is best for our girls’ learning. Our model will differ from that of NSW government schools.

Danebank Return to Campus Model

Danebank has chosen a blended learning model encompassing face-to-face teaching and learning, and distance learning on the days where students are not allocated a face-to-face learning day.

We believe this plan is optimal for student-learning and care during Term 2, as it enables the provision of the excellent teaching for which Danebank is known.

The blended model will mean that: 

• Students who are learning on campus during their allocated “on-campus day or days” will be with their teachers, engaging in face-to-face learning,
• Students who are learning from home will continue to engage in distance learning, and
• Students who need to be on campus on days other than their allocated face-to-face day, will engage in distance learning whilst supervised by Danebank teaching staff. 

We have designed a phased return of girls using the Guiding Principles as outlined above.

The Return to On-Campus Learning Plan is organised in phases and outlines the specific teaching and learning arrangements and measures to be taken at each stage of gradual return. 

Over the term, we hope for the forward movement from Phase 0 to Phase 4. However, we do recognise that the COVID-19 crisis has been unpredictable and rapidly changing. So should circumstances change, we may be required to step back to a previous phase. Any changes will be communicated with you as soon as we are made aware of these. 

Please familiarise yourself with the Return to On-Campus Learning Plan so you are able to see and plan for what may happen in each phase.

Term 2 Arrangements in Summary

To accompany the Return to On-Campus Learning Plan we have devised weekly schedules for each phase. 

The Term 2 Danebank Phase 1 Schedule outlines the arrangements for each Year Group for Weeks 3 and 4. You will see that:

• Year 12 returns to face-to-face teaching full-time on campus 
• Pre-K and Kindergarten return to face-to-face teaching full-time on campus 
• Life Skills girls return to face-to-face teaching full-time on campus
• Years 1 to 11 return to face-to-face teaching for one day a week on campus with the girls engaged in distance learning from home for the other four days a week 
• The campus remains open for those students who need to be supervised when not engaged in a face-to-face learning day with their class teacher. This will be particularly useful for parents with more than one daughter at Danebank, who need their whole family to be supervised on campus at any given day.

Students in High-risk Health Categories

Danebank continues to acknowledge that there are some parents, staff and students who have health concerns that put them in high-risk groups or categories. The School will support you as parents to make decisions based on your circumstances. 

Other parents might not wish to send their children to school regardless. In these unique times, as we transition back to full-time face-to-face teaching, we will record it as “absent with leave”. 

At this stage, the School remains open and will not make individual arrangements to deliver our Distance Learning Plan to students who do not attend school on their allocated face-to-face teaching days.

In the Senior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding the learning of the day on the Canvas announcements page (with additional care for students in Years 11 and 12). Similarly, in the Junior School, teachers may choose to share information regarding learning for the day on Canvas or Seesaw.

Financial Circumstances 

Danebank continues to be committed to support and work in partnership with families experiencing financial hardship. The Council recognises that COVID-19 is having a financial impact and many families are facing, or may face, confronting challenges over the coming months. Please be assured that Danebank does not want girls to leave Danebank due to COVID-19. 

This afternoon families will receive their Term 2 invoice. As a result of further consultation with families due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Danebank School Council is waiving the Term 2 Service Fee. The Term 2 Service Fee will not show on your billing. 

This means, the following financial assistance measures are now in place:

• Danebank is waiving the Term 2 Service Fee.
• Families will not be charged for optional/extra-curricular activities that would normally occur in Term 2. 
• Danebank will refund charges collected in advance for optional/extra-curricular activities that were cancelled in Term 1.
• The provision of additional financial support through a COVID-19 Assistance Scheme, deferral of payments or a payment plan.

 Please contact Danebank’s Director of Finance and Operations, should you require altered payment terms due to current financial pressures.

Health Action Plan

Danebank’s Health Action Plan remains as follows: 

• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared. 
• Any student or staff member who has travelled overseas should remain at home for 14 days from the date of their return to Australia. 
• Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus must remain at home for 14 days following that contact. 
• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded from attending school until they are medically cleared to return.

 As before, in the event of a student needing to be quarantined, we ask that you notify the School of the absence through the usual channels.

Current NSW Government policy is that all potential cases be tested for COVID-19, so we would encourage you to do so should you have any symptoms.

Health and Safety Measures

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community, we have established the following measures for the return to on-campus learning for all girls and staff:  

• Sign-in and checks upon arrival (students and staff)
• Limiting visitors on site (only staff and students please)
• For at least the first weeks on campus, students in Years 7-12 will not use their lockers as these are in very close proximity
• Wherever possible, larger classrooms, verandahs and break-out rooms will be used. The Year 12 Common Room will be used as a larger classroom for learning
• Markings have been placed in areas where students or staff should line up to ensure physical distancing (e.g. Canteen)

Danebank From A Distance Portal

Please be encouraged to access the Danebank From a Distance portal for further information and to stay in touch. This will be our communications portal until we publish a newsletter again later this term.

We have uploaded some new videos and photographs from students and parents to this portal. The Senior School prefects have made a beautiful video for our staff which can be viewed here too. Please continue to visit the portal as we are keeping it up to date. Also, send your own contributions to: [email protected]

We are blessed to belong to the supportive and compassionate Danebank community. Danebank remains deeply committed to you and your family at this time and we are enthusiastically looking forward to welcoming more and more of our girls back to full-time, on-campus learning soon.

A very warm welcome to Term 2 2020. I trust that you are all well and have enjoyed a refreshing break over the past weeks. 

As we look forward to the start of Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those members of our own Danebank community who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as others in Australia and world-wide. It has been an extraordinary and unprecedented time for us all. At the same time, it has been encouraging to see that our joint efforts as a nation have begun to reduce the numbers of Australians being diagnosed with coronavirus. 

I deeply appreciate and value your ongoing support and partnership as we continue to navigate the challenges of this pandemic together.

Preparation for Term 2

During the weeks of non-term time, our staff has continued to prepare for our students’ return. This included developing high-quality teaching and learning experiences for our girls via the distance-learning model by taking into consideration the feedback from our community at the end of Term 1.

Danebank has also begun work on a model to facilitate the safe and gradual return of our girls to on-campus learning, with particular consideration to our Year 12 students.

Latest Announcement and Implications on Term 2 Arrangements

The health advice is still that schools remain open and that we can be confident that school is a safe place for children to be. 

At a media conference earlier this week, NSW Premier Ms Gladys Berejiklian and other education leaders outlined broad plans to support the continuity of education for students and the increase of face-to-face teaching in NSW through a staged return to school during Term 2.

This news, while logistically challenging, is welcome, as we are all eager to see the return of our girls and staff to our campus at the appropriate time. 

With the aim of welcoming students safely and effectively back to school in a staged approach, the Government has released complex and multidimensional guidelines to schools. We are now working on a tailor-made Danebank model as we carefully consider and plan to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our students and staff, and the keep the learning of our girls as our priority. 

We anticipate to be able to provide details about the phased return of students, featuring the schedule for your daughter’s year group or Junior School class, by Week 2. This information will also outline additional hygiene and on-campus social distancing measures.

Term 2: Weeks 1 and 2

Term 2 will begin, as planned, on Tuesday 28 April. The first two weeks (from Tuesday 28 April until Friday 8 May) of learning will be delivered via the same distance learning model as per the end of Term 1. 

Students are encouraged to learn from home where practical; however, Danebank’s campus remains open for students who need to be supervised at school. If you require on-campus supervision for your daughter, please register here:

• Junior School students

• Senior School students

Week 3 Onwards

From Monday 11 May, Danebank will begin a safe, phased and gradual return of our students to on-campus learning. Details of the new model will be communicated as soon as possible.  

Student Wellbeing 

The wellbeing of our girls and community is critical at this time. If your daughter or family would benefit from psychological support, please contact the School Counsellors as per the details on the Distance from a Distance portal. 

If your daughter needs support more generally, please be encouraged to make contact with your classroom teacher or Year Coordinator who will be able to offer assistance and guidance. Link here for Who to Contact When.

Danebank From A Distance Portal

Please be encouraged to access the Danebank From a Distance portal for further information and to stay in touch, and to forward your news and pictures to: [email protected]

Looking Forward

Dear Parents

As I reflect on Term 1, I want to begin by thanking you for your support and active engagement as we have all navigated the joys and challenges of the term together.

The beginning of 2020 was a new chapter and freshly turned page for us at Danebank. We were excited about the new decade. Staff returned in late January with enthusiasm, and the joy of student laughter filled our corridors, grounds and rooms. I began as the seventh Principal of Danebank and was treated to the warmest of welcomes by all in our community.

2020: A New Era   

2020 held promise that, as a new era and decade began, we would maintain the positive aspects of Danebank and make changes for the better. Together we planned to build on our strengths, improve and innovate in order to continue to provide our girls with the very best in learning and care.

We recognised that Danebank has established itself as a leader in girls’ education in the region, fulfilling the mission established by our Founder, Miss Edith Roseby Ball. This mission was “to establish a fine Christian girls’ school that would prepare young women for life, a life of service”.

From the first days of term, with our guiding tools before us, we began to steer towards our future. The focus has been to build relationships, continue the exceptional teaching, learning and care for our girls, and to begin to chart a path forward as we reimagine the next decade together.

Despite the backdrop of the ever-changing and unpredictable COVID-19 situation, we have actively and enthusiastically worked towards this aim. Our community has remained hopeful, optimistic and excited about our outlook.

As a Christian school, we continue to frame our planning and actions for each girl within the context of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our aim is to ensure that our young women are ready and prepared for the rapidly changing world beyond Danebank so they would flourish, serve and shape the world in years to come. Our hope is that each graduate optimistically engages with future challenges and that she will be creative, resilient, well educated, confident, faith filled and compassionate.

COVID-19 Response

Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has constantly been well-considered, calm and responsive to the ever-changing requirements from authorities. We have looked ahead, planned and then provided certainty in our communications, initially through our COVID-19 portal and then our Distance Learning Plan and FAQs, and actions.

On Thursday 26 March 2020 we began the Danebank Distance Learning Pilot. Feedback from staff, students and parents has overwhelmingly indicated that, under the circumstances, the Distance Learning Pilot has been a great success. If you haven’t already, I invite you to offer your feedback. We are now using this advice to refine and improve our practice as we anticipate that learning will continue to be offered through a remote model for Term 2.

Our commitment to the continuation of learning and the wellbeing of our Danebank girls is unswerving. As a school we remain dedicated to our students and are particularly mindful of upholding our Class of 2020 in the context of COVID-19. 

We have been assured by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) that in NSW there will be an HSC in 2020, and that the certificate will facilitate access to university, further education and employment. I have been heartened by NESA’s delegation of authority to Principals which will allow school-based decisions about the number, type and weighting of HSC formal assessment tasks in 2020. This will enable Danebank the flexibility we need to support our Year 11 and 12 girls in the months ahead.

Staff have been exceptional in their response to COVID-19 and the demands placed upon them, and have worked tirelessly for our students. Our community has been deeply supportive and we are so grateful to you for every kindness shown. Girls have continued their active engagement in learning and have demonstrated courage, resilience, grit, determination, good humour and flexibility. Danebank Prefects have launched a new initiative to boost morale and grow closer together during this time.

Collectively, we have stayed connected, learnt and become closer as a Danebank community. I am so proud.

Financial Hardship

The School continues to be committed to working in partnership with families experiencing financial hardship. The following arrangements are in place:

• Families will not be charged for optional/extra curricular activities that would normally occur in Term 2.
• Danebank will refund charges collected in advance for optional/extra curricular activities that were cancelled in Term 1.
• The invoice and due date for Term 2 fees has been pushed back to allow families additional time to meet their financial commitments.
• The School Council has established a committee to consider applications for additional support for families experiencing financial hardship.

Please contact the Director of Finance and Operations, Mrs Beth Ellerman [email protected] to request an Application Form should you require assistance. For those families who have already made contact with the School, we will contact you directly. 

Whilst we understand that the full extent of the impact of COVID-19 on families is yet to be fully understood, we do hope that the above measures may provide a way forward in coming months.

Initiatives

In the midst of these changes, we have undertaken various initiatives to chart our path forward towards the next decade of Danebank’s history.

Learner Profile

The first has been the consideration and development of a futures-focused Danebank Student Learner Profile. In developing this, staff have begun to consider key questions: 

• What will our girls be, what might they need to know and be capable of doing when they leave Danebank, and
• How can we ensure that our teaching and learning empowers and assists our girls for these possibilities?

Staff engaged in professional discussions, considering what attributes, character traits, dispositions, habits of mind, knowledge and understanding would be required to ensure that each Danebank woman thrives and contributes to the world with compassion and confidence.

Building and Property Committee

The second is the re-establishment of the Building and Property Committee by the Danebank Council in February. The committee has begun to progress the major renewal of facilities, to create dynamic, contemporary and innovative learning spaces for our learners.

Strategic Planning

Next, we have begun to review progress against Our Strategy (2016-2020), starting a major refresh towards the end of the year as we reimagine our future with hope.

I have begun extensive consultation with our community to learn about the School’s strengths and opportunities for growth and development. This has taken the form of one-on-one conversations with staff, meeting with the girls and key community groups across the School, and beginning Conversations with Dr Burgess for parents to share their thoughts and feedback. Unfortunately, these conversations were postponed due to COVID-19 and the requirement of reducing gatherings.

Now, I am pleased to share that Conversations with Dr Burgess has been reinstituted in a slightly different format. Those who have registered for the original series in Term 1, have been offered the opportunity to register for one of four Zoom meetings. Further opportunities to meet with me and provide your feedback will be offered in Term 2.

In addition, I intend to build on this consultation with more opportunities for our community to provide feedback and input on the future of Danebank through, among other things, various surveys and focus groups.

2020: Term 2

As we look towards Term 2, we remain optimistic and deeply committed to our girls, staff and community.

We anticipate that learning in Term 2 will continue to be through the distance-learning model.

Our campus will remain open for the families who need it, especially those working in essential services. Students who are able, will be encouraged to learn from home. We will endeavour to provide the best possible education under the circumstances and will always place the needs of our girls at the forefront of decisions made.

We will continue to be guided by the advice of the federal and state governments and health experts, and will keep you well informed of any changes. Term 2 will begin for our girls on Tuesday 28 April 2020.

Danebank From A Distance Portal

To connect and inspire one another, despite our distance, we have established a Danebank from a Distance Portal. Danebank From A Distance, is Danebank's community portal through which we will keep in touch and build our community while we teach and learn from a distance.

On the portal you will find video messages, pictures and videos of staff, students and families, and helpful information on topics such as wellbeing, teaching and learning. For the holiday break, there is a plethora of learning and fun ideas for students to enjoy. We invite you to send your pictures, stories and videos to us at [email protected].
Please save this link: https://news.danebank.nsw.edu.au/news/issue/danebank-from-a-distance/ in your favourites as we will continue to add new contributions as we receive them from our students, staff and families.
I have recorded a special video message for our  parents, senior and junior students respectively. Please visit the portal to view them.

Final Reflections

Finally, as we approach Easter, I leave you with the enduring gospel message of hope and love. Easter brings hope to all of us. We are pointed beyond the Cross to the hope of the empty tomb; that Jesus came to redeem the world, to save us all from our sins and to provide assurance that God has triumphed over evil and death.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2: 8-10

Coronavirus Changes

Dear Parents

The COVID-19 crisis and its impact on our way of life is unprecedented in Danebank’s history. I would like to again assure you of our care and support, as well as our unwavering commitment to the continuation of learning and the wellbeing of your daughter as we navigate these challenging times together.

Our staff and teachers are exceeding our expectations to deliver quality teaching and learning to our girls through a variety of distance learning platforms. There is no less work for them, in fact, there is more as they navigate new platforms and modes of delivery, and as they endeavour to continue to also support our girls emotionally. Our staff and teachers are embracing this challenge as they are deeply committed to your daughters’ education.

Prime Minister’s New Announcement and Implications for Danebank

The ever-changing and almost daily announcements from the Prime Minister necessitate our flexible, continual and calm response. I trust that you recognise that every decision we make is done so with the safety and wellbeing of your daughters in our minds.

Late last night, the Prime Minister limited to two the number of people allowed to gather together. A gathering of more than two people is now only allowed for members within households.

The Prime Minister urged people to stay at home to protect themselves from the Conoravirus. He said Australians could go outside for medical care or compassionate needs, to exercise or for work or education, if they could not do this remotely. Schools are to remain open to those students who are unable to learn remotely. People over 70 years old should stay at home and self-isolate. The Public Health Officer, Dr Brian Murphy stated:

“We have to change the way we, as people, interact with each other. It is very simple.”

Danebank remains open. We are continuing our Distance Learning Pilot as planned. Danebank continues to strongly encourage families to allow students to learn from home, where possible. Students are still able to come on campus if they are unable to learn remotely.

However, as a result of these new requirements, the School has decided on the following additional measures: 

• The Year 11 and 12 Assessment Block has been moved to an online format as we believe that the School would be in breach of the Prime Minister’s directive to not do so. The great majority of Year 11 and 12 students are able to work and learn remotely, some of our supervisors for Special Provisions are over 70 years old and we are confident that moving the assessments online will be fairly and equitably administered by our staff. The weighting and moderation of the assessment tasks will be decided in the future. Consequently:
• Today’s assessments (Monday 30 March) – English, Maths and some Biology – were postponed until Tuesday 7 April when they will occur online.
• The assessments scheduled for tomorrow (and for the rest of this week, as well as Monday 6 April) are still going ahead at the scheduled times, but these will now be online. Students and parents will receive detailed information as to the logistics of the assessments.
• According to their requirements, many of Danebank's members of staff will be working from home from tomorrow onwards, with some core staff remaining onsite. Students onsite will be supervised. 

Financially Difficult Circumstances

We do acknowledge and understand that this is a difficult time for some of our families. The financial impact may be challenging, both initially and in the aftershock of the crisis. We anticipate that the effects on our wider community, and particularly on many individual families, will be with us for some time.

As a School, we have no desire for any girl to have to leave our community during this period. We believe that, given the current uncertainty, now is not the time to make decisions that may have an adverse impact on your daughter’s education and wellbeing.

The Board of the Anglican Schools Corporation and the Danebank School Council, together with myself and the School Executive are actively considering how to best support families in maintaining their daughter’s enrolment at Danebank, should they face financial hardship. We understand that the full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on some families may take some time to fully emerge. We ask for your continued patience as we consider these matters and determine the best way forward for our community.

To help us better understand the financial impact COVID-19 is having on families, we are inviting you to inform us of your current situation and/or expected need for assistance by contacting our Director of Finance and Operations, Ms Beth Ellerman: [email protected] or 9580 1415.

Distance Learning Pilot and Feedback

The Distance Learning Pilot continues this week and we thank you for your continued support as we engage in this together. I invite you to provide your feedback about your daughter’s learning experience on this Google Form.

Our students and staff will also have the opportunity to add their feedback and reflections on the pilot. Taken together, these reflections will support us as we refine and continually improve the distance learning model.

Please continue to work with the School, as together, we seek to support each other. With warm regards, 

Distance Learning Pilot 

Dear Parents

This morning the NSW Premier has announced that from tomorrow, all NSW schools will be transitioning to teaching and learning from one platform, this being a distance-learning model.

She strongly encouraged all parents to keep children at home from tomorrow. Schools are to remain open for those parents who have no other option and whose children will require supervision.

Danebank’s preparations and planning have positioned us well to implement the Premier’s decision effectively and calmly in the coming days. Therefore, Danebank will accelerate our Distance Learning Pilot to begin tomorrow, Tuesday 24 March, with teachers finalising their preparations and students not participating in any online learning for two days.

All co-curricular activities have been cancelled until further notice. Please do not bring your daughter for any activities she might have been enrolled for in the mornings or afternoons. The School of Music Coordinator will be in contact with families with regards to individual music tutoring for Junior School.

Danebank’s Distance Learning Pilot Launches Tomorrow

Today Monday 23 March: 

All students will be encouraged to collect their belongings today, and take all learning materials that they might need with them home. This includes: 

• The resources and equipment necessary for learning
• All books and devices, as well as accessories (e.g. chargers) and other equipment (e.g for major works)
• Any learning resources that have been prepared for them by their teacher.

Girls are encouraged to seek assistance from our IT team if there are any outstanding problems accessing CANVAS or SEESAW, or completing other online learning readiness tasks.

If for any reason, girls have forgotten some items, the School campus will remain open. Please come to the Senior School Office or Junior School Office to collect any missing items.

Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March: 

Staff will finalise their preparations for the implementation of the Distance Learning Pilot. Students who have registered, may come to school for two days of “school care”. We have developed a plan and program to keep the girls engaged, as they won’t be following their usual learning program. The students who are on campus will not be cared for by the class teachers. Casual staff will be caring for these girls. Class teachers will be preparing and finalising their online teaching programs.

Please note: Because the dates have changed, you have to re-register your daughter’s attendance for the school care. Here is the new link for tomorrow and Wednesday.

To confirm:

• Students will not attend class as usual tomorrow and Wednesday. Students are encouraged to stay at home, or families may use the care program provided by the School if required. If you want to use this program, you must register here to enable the School to plan. 
• On these days, staff will be on campus, finalising their preparations for the Distance Learning Pilot.

Week 9 (Thursday 26 & Friday 27) and Week 10 (Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April)

• Implementation of Danebank’s Distance Learning Pilot. The pilot will now last seven days. All other arrangements will remain the same: 
• All learning will be via distance learning mode. This means that whether girls are at school or at home, we will be engaged in our Distance Learning Plan. 
• Families are strongly encouraged to keep their children at home and engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from there.
• If you have no other option and your child requires care, the campus will remain open to allow students to engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from school. If you want to use this service, please register your daughter’s attendance here.
• Rolls will continue to be taken (online and on campus) and the normal absentee process will be in place. 
• Years 11 and 12 Assessment Block will continue. Students are to come in to campus to sit the assessments if they are able to under our Health Action Plan.
• While staff will be on campus, there will not be any traditional face-to-face teaching of students as staff will be engaged in distance learning only. Please register here if you require your daughter to attend school during the seven days of the Distance Learning Pilot period.
• Students who are on campus for the pilot will be accommodated in groups in different venues on the campus in line with physical distancing requirements, however, not necessarily with their class teacher.

Week 11: Monday 6 to Thursday 9 April

• School holidays commence for students. Professional learning commences for staff.
• School holidays commence one week earlier for students (with the exception of those in Years 11 and 12, who are still needing to complete their assessments onsite). 
• The School will consider the provision of a holiday program for families who may require this during this week. Please register for this program here.
• Staff will engage in four days of preparation for distance learning from Term 2, should this become the requirement from the Federal Government and NSW Health.
• Staff will remain on campus unless they need to work from home. 

Term 2

Term 2 will commence for students on Tuesday 28 April, as scheduled. Our arrangements for Term 2 will be determined closer to the time.

Thank you

I want to thank you sincerely for the many messages of support I have received over these weeks as this situation has developed. These times are unique and we will overcome the challenges ahead together. 

Our staff remain committed to connecting with the girls and ensuring that they continue to receive quality learning, experience a high level of student care and support, and know they belong to an outstanding Christian learning community.  

The strength of our community is second to none. It is reassuring that we are here for each other with support, encouragement and our characteristic care and grace.  

With warm regards and my prayers for our community. 

Dr Emma Burgess

Principal

Coronavirus Notice

Dear Parents

We are aware the NSW Premier announced the shut-down of all non-essential services within 48 hours. She will announce a decision on school closures tomorrow. Girls are to attend school as usual tomorrow. Once we are informed about the Premier’s decision in this regard, you will receive a detailed email communication from us.

Coronavirus Update: Distance Learning Pilot

Dear Parents,

Danebank continues to provide excellent teaching, learning and care, whilst concurrently preparing for a continuation of learning at a distance

We recognise that this is a challenging time for our community. There is a high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability in the manner in which the situation unfolds.  

We have been closely following the guidance and advice of the Federal and State Governments, NSW Health and other agencies, which have continued to urge the education sector in New South Wales to keep students in schools for as long as possible, for the good of the wider community.  We have also been listening to the feedback and requirements of our community. 

I wish to reassure you that during this time, as always, the wellbeing of our girls, staff and community is at the centre of every decision we make. Indeed, Danebank’s response is calm, measured and well considered. 

We have been engaged in deep and prayerful consideration and extensive consultation with our Executive team, the School Council and the Anglican Schools Corporation along with other external advisory bodies. 

Please note that Danebank has not had a positive case of COVID-19. At the time of writing; however, we have a number of girls and staff away for varying reasons. 

Beyond our current situation, our attention has turned to managing and preparing for the potential shift in learning from face-to-face delivery, to a distance learning plan. Whilst we cannot predict how long this may be, indications are that students across New South Wales are likely to be engaging in distance learning options and that these may be occurring for longer than initially anticipated. 

To support the wellbeing of staff, students and families at this time, the School has decided to engage in a Distance Learning Pilot for students from Pre-K to Year 12. 

Danebank’s Distance Learning Pilot

Week 9: Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March

• From Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 March: Students are to attend school as usual.
• Staff and students will implement various distance learning systems daily in class (campus remains open).
• On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March:Students will not attend class as usual. Students can stay at home, or families may use the care program provided by the School. If you want to use this program, you must register here to enable the School to plan. 
• On these days, staff will be on campus, finalising their preparations for the week of the Distance Learning Pilot.

Week 10: Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April

• Distance Learning Pilot Week for students and staff: All learning will be via distance learning mode. This means that whether girls are at school or at home, we will be engaged in our Distance Learning Plan. 
• The campus will remain open to allow students to come to school, if they choose to engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from school, OR
• Families may choose to keep their children at home and engage in the Distance Learning Pilot from there
• Girls who are required to be in self-isolation as a result of adhering to our Health Action Plan, must engage in the Distance Learning Pilot.
• Rolls will continue to be taken (online and on campus) and the normal absentee process will be in place. 
• Years 11 and 12 Assessment Block will continue. Students are to come in to campus to sit the assessments if they are able to under our Health Action Plan.
• If Year 11 and 12 students are not able to attend onsite, they must contact their teachers to make other arrangements.
• Staff will be on campus.

Week 11: Monday 6 to Thursday 9 April

• School holidays commence for students. Professional learning commences for staff.School holidays commence one week earlier for students (with the exception of those in Years 11 and 12, who are still needing to complete their assessments onsite). 
• The School will consider the provision of a holiday program for families who may require this during this week. Please register for this program here.
• Staff will be onsite, engaging in four days of preparation for distance learning from Term 2, should this become the requirement from the Federal Government and NSW Health.
• Staff will remain on campus unless they need to work from home. 

Term 2

Term 2 will commence for students on Tuesday 28 April, as scheduled. Our arrangements for Term 2 will be determined closer to the time.

What does the Distance Learning Pilot look like for your daughter?

For Senior School Girls

• Dress at home is mufti; dress at school is uniform.
• Follow your timetable and school hours (8.15am to 3pm).
• Check Canvas and your email for daily instructions from your teachers. 
• Be on time for your scheduled virtual meetings as the roll will be marked.
• Your teachers will be available throughout the day via email.
• We are here to help, so reach out if and when you need us or if you have any problems.
• The Wellbeing Program will continue. 
• Our main platforms for Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan are Canvas, Google Suite, Office 365.

For Junior School Girls (Pre-K to Year 6)

• Dress at home is mufti; dress at school is uniform.
• Complete your tasks during normal Junior School hours. 
• Each day will begin with a welcome from your teacher. 
• Check Seesaw for daily instructions from your teachers. 
• Your teachers will be available throughout the day via email.
• We are here to help, so reach out if and when you need us or if you have any problems.  
• Our main platforms for Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan are Seesaw and Google Suite.
• Pre-K: Mrs Elizabeth Stuart is finalising the Pre-K plan and this information will be communicated to our families next week.

NAPLAN 

All Education Ministers met today and decided that NAPLAN will not proceed in 2020. This decision was made to assist school leaders, teachers and support staff to focus on the wellbeing of students and continuity of education, including potential online and remote learning.

Sports and Events

As advised, excursions and events for the remainder of Term 1 have been cancelled.  IGSSA and IPSHA have also cancelled Saturday sport for the rest of Term 1 and all of Term 2.  Danebank Saturday Invitation Sport competitions have similarly been cancelled for the remainder of Term 1.  

For those students who would ordinarily participate in Saturday sport, an alternate Saturday training program has been devised by our Director of Sport, Ms Kerrie Banfield.  

With the wellbeing of our girls in mind, across all sports, the number of participants has been capped to manage risk and ensure social distancing is possible. Parents are not permitted to spectate, instead drop-off and pick-up times have been specifically stated and communicated.  

Waterpolo players have the option to participate in a modified, no contact game or water-based fitness session.

Details of the training program have been sent to families and students today. 

Finally

At the beginning of the year, I shared a metaphor with staff which likened Danebank to a ship.

I talked about the nature of our “Danebank Ship”: that it is strong, sturdy and secured by able crew and officers. There was encouragement for us that God is for us and that He will protect us, comfort us and guide us as we sail onwards. We considered our students, our community and the activities that we all undertake to keep our ship sailing forward and well.  

We could never have imagined the new waters that we now find ourselves in.   

These new waters will be difficult to navigate for us all. It is a significant shift for our whole community, one that our staff is embracing with their customary dedicated service and professionalism. 

However, I ask that you be conscious of the fact that distance learning is new to us and that there are likely to be some teething issues ahead. There will be opportunities for you to support us with feedback as we refine and improve. I ask that you will continue to encourage our staff and your daughters, understanding that we are bravely moving forward in unchartered waters. 

As a Christian school for girls, we know that our God is the one who rules over the seas and all situations we face. He will care for us, protect us, comfort and sustain us, guiding Danebank through this time: “You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” (Psalm 89:9) 

Logistics and Links

• Queries and Feedback: We have set up a Google Form for your queries. Please do not send your general questions or feedback to any email address anymore, but click on the link and complete the form.
• Danebank Distance Learning Plan
• Frequently Asked Questions: Covid-19 Information Portal.
• We will be seeking feedback from the girls, families and staff about the Distance Learning plan and will advise of the method for this in due course.

Important: Danebank Distance Learning Plan

Dear Parents

Please see attached the Danebank Distance Learning Plan that will be implemented in case of a campus closure. It outlines important information about the continued delivery of teaching and learning under those circumstances.

Coronavirus Update 

Dear Parents

As promised, I am writing to continue to update you on Danebank’s response to the COVID-19 situation as it unfolds and governments make announcements relevant to our school.

At times like these, I believe the strength of the Danebank community becomes immediately apparent. Danebank is warm, supportive and compassionate. We band together, support one another and trust in God, knowing that He will strengthen us, uphold us and comfort us. 

To this end, Danebank continues to take a measured, well considered and calm approach to the coronavirus pandemic. We continue to monitor and reassess our activities in the light of advice from NSW Health and the state and federal governments.

Consequently, we are adopting a number of additional, precautionary measures.

Social Distancing

Assemblies, Chapel, Lunchtimes

Overnight, the NSW Department of Education has instructed the cancellation of school assemblies and substantial gatherings. This includes:

• Inter-school arts, sports, initiative activities and events (details below)
• Whole-school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools.

As a result:

• We will temporarily put all assemblies, Chapels and morning line-ups on hold, and are finalising alternative methods to deliver announcements, Chapel and assembly messages. 
• As of today, students have been instructed to spread out during common lunchtimes. 
• We are considering other internal activities on a case-by-case basis. 

Reduction of Activities and Events 

Autumn Fair and Open Mornings 

All Open Mornings, as well as this year’s Autumn Fair* and Open Day will be cancelled. 

We all value the great importance of this day to our school, especially in terms of community building and fundraising, but also because of the numerous families who visit our campus on the day to explore the school for their daughter. 

We will continue to work with the P&F Committee to explore other ways to build community and fundraise and will advise of this in due course. 

* The Autumn Fair’s silent auction and small baskets will continue through an online auction portal, so the P&F Committee has requested that you kindly continue to donate your items.

Cancellation of activities

Excursions, trips, year-group camps, travel, interschool arts (such as Theatresports and debating), external sports, initiatives and events, including: 

• Mother Daughter Camp
• Year 5 Camp
• Year 9 Camp
• The Central Australia Trip
• Conversations with Dr Burgess
• Junior School Coffee and Chat Mornings
• P&F Meetings
• Tildesley Tennis Shield
• Dragon Boating Nationals, Penrith
• All inter-school sport between multiple schools, including representative trials

Staff meetings

We are implementing the use of conference calls to facilitate meetings between members of staff and others.

Canteen

From tomorrow the Canteen will only supply orders made through Munch Monitor. 

• The Canteen will not be open at recess or lunch time for over-the-counter purchases. 
• If you do not already have an active MunchMonitor account, go to https://www.munchmonitor.com/Account/SchoolRegister and follow these steps: 1. Enter the School ID: danebank 2. Enter the School Password: munch2220 3. Follow the steps to create an account

Other precautionary measures

Hygiene:

The school will continue to operate on campus with additional hygiene measures in place, including handwashing, reducing face-to-face contact and cough etiquette.

Danebank’s Health Action Plan is updated according to the latest advice from the federal government: 

• As of midnight last night, arrivals from any country are to self-isolate for 14 days from the day of their arrival in Australia. This applies to staff, students and members of our community. 
• Everyone who has been in contact with someone who has arrived from any overseas country, is to exercise a high degree of caution. They are to self-monitor for symptoms and not come to school if feeling unwell. If needed, seek medical advice urgently and isolate yourself.
• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared.

Closing the school campus

If the government announces the closure of school campuses:

You will be alerted by:

• An SMS to all community members
• An email from the Principal, detailing the decision and way forward
• A starting date for the Danebank Distance Learning Plan
• Signs posted on the outside of the Danebank campus
• Notice on the School website and other media

If we do close our campus temporarily, Danebank has established a Distance Learning Plan. The main things to be aware of are:

• The plan outlines that teachers will be given up to 48 hours (up to two school days) to finalise distance learning operations
• After this time, your daughter will continue her learning from a distance
• Teachers and staff will be available to support your daughter’s learning 
• We encourage her to follow her usual timetable and establish routine quickly 

Our vision is for the continuation of high-quality teaching, learning and care from a distance. It reflects our philosophy of learning in which students are actively engaged in authentic, meaningful learning experiences to support deep understanding.

We acknowledge that learning at a distance will not involve being constantly online for 7-8 hours a day, as we cannot directly replicate that which occurs when on campus. However,  we can provide innovative, creative and exciting alternatives for our girls from a distance. 

We are finalising some details of Danebank’s Distance Learning Plan, which will also be published online for your access. We will send the link in due course.

As always, let us place our trust in the Lord and continue to pray for our school, our community and our country.  I am confident that as a community we will emerge from this situation stronger.  

You can contact me at [email protected] with any queries, concerns and feedback.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Romans 12: 11-13

COVID-19 Information Portal 

Dear Parents

You would have heard the news over the last few days of several confirmed COVID-19 cases among students at schools in NSW.

With the World Health Organisation now having declared a pandemic, I want to continue to reassure you that we are well prepared for this situation and have well-developed plans in place, should further action be required of us at Danebank. We will continue to be advised by the state and federal health authorities and the NSW Department of Education.

An update of our Health Action Plan

Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared.

Any student or staff member who has travelled to or passed through (stopped over in) any of the following countries should remain at home for 14 days from the date of their return to Australia:

• Any region in China, including Hong Kong and Macau
• Iran
• South Korea
• Italy

Everyone who has themselves travelled, or been in contact with someone who has, travelled to Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand in the past 14 days, is to exercise a high degree of caution. They are to self-monitor for symptoms and not come to school if feeling unwell. If needed, seek medical advice urgently and isolate yourself.

Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus must remain at home for 14 days following that contact. 

Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded from attending school until they are medically cleared to return.

Some frequently asked questions:

Could the campus close?

Should a student or staff member be confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, the School will temporarily close the campus to provide health authorities an opportunity to assess the situation. This short-term closure may be followed by a longer closure to allow all students and staff to self-isolate for a required period. Alternatively, a select cohort of students or staff may be required to remain away from campus. Finally, the School may be directed by health authorities to close its campus as a measure to limit infection in the wider community.

In any of these situations, the School will continue to operate, including through the delivery of off-campus teaching and learning.

How will my daughter continue her learning during a temporary campus closure or exclusion?

We have the planning and technology in place to allow us to keep operating and deliver off-campus learning. This means teaching and learning will continue and students will have full access to their subject specialists.

Senior School

• Instructions will be given by class teachers via email and through our Canvas learning management system.
• The Senior School Pastoral Care (PC) program will continue and students will access information from Year Coordinators on their year group’s wellbeing page on Canvas.
• Year Coordinators, School Counsellors and the Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing will be available for pastoral support and to assist students and their families.

Junior School 

• For our Junior students, work will continue to be set by their class teachers. Students will need access to the internet and a personal or family device.  If accessing a device will be difficult for you, please email [email protected]

Some work will be made available via programs that our students are familiar with, such as:

• Grades K-6: Seesaw and Google Suite (for some things)
• Additional apps such as Mathletics, Literacy Planet and others may be incorporated

Teachers will monitor student engagement with course work and provide feedback on submitted learning tasks for all students from Kinder to Year 12.

Are student excursions, events and other off-campus activities taking place?

The School has postponed all overseas trips for this year. We are actively reviewing all upcoming camps, interstate trips and other excursions. This means that we will review each activity individually, assessing if it is appropriate to proceed or postpone.

We have already made changes to and postponed a number of activities, with the affected families notified as decisions are made.

How is the School managing external visitors?

In an update to our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Action Plan, we are also continually reviewing on-campus events that include external visitors (including parents) to determine if it should proceed or be postponed.

What is the advice for overseas travel?

We have alerted families to the possible risk of students being quarantined after the upcoming school holiday if they, or people in their home, were to travel overseas. This is particularly relevant to Year 12 students whose preparations for the HSC could be affected.

With a growing number of countries reporting COVID-19 outbreaks, the risk posed by international travel continues to grow. Because of this we ask that you adhere to our Health Action Plan, outlined above.

If you do plan to travel overseas, we urge you to check the latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and be mindful that new quarantine or travel restrictions may be implemented while you are away.

Finally, if you are planning to have any international guests in your home, we ask that you carefully follow any quarantine advice from the Department of Health.

What is close contact?

According to NSW Health, a ‘close contact’ is someone who has been face to face for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours, as someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 when that person was infectious.

What should I do if my child is sick?

NSW Health advise that:

• If your child has a sore throat, heavy cold, cough, fever or flu-like symptoms, keep them home from school. 
• If, while at school, your child presents with a heavy cold, sore throat, cough, fever or flu-like symptoms, we will contact parents to come and collect their children.  We request that parents do so promptly.
• If there is any history of travel to countries with confirmed cases of coronavirus, or contact with a known case, phone your GP for advice.
• If we suspect a student has coronavirus, based on their symptoms and history, we will isolate them and follow NSW Health guidelines.

We will continue to update you with any new information. However, if you have any questions regarding this or any other aspect of our Coronavirus Health Action Plan, please contact us by email on [email protected]

I thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this time. Please be reassured that we are well prepared to continue to deliver learning and to care for our girls.

Important update regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear Parents

I am writing to provide a further update on the coronavirus situation following more recent developments. The Federal Department of Health advises that recent international developments significantly increase the risk of a Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (sustained community transmission in several countries).

In particular, they note the growing concern about community transmission in a number of countries including South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran. Further, while limited or no cases have been reported in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, authorities deem these to be high-risk too, due to travel volumes from China. Additionally, unlinked cases in Hong Kong and Singapore remain a cause for concern.

Health Action Plan

As a result of the most recent announcements from the Federal Government regarding international travel restrictions, Danebank will require the following:

• Students and staff who are unwell with any respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms should remain at home until all symptoms have disappeared.
• Any student or staff member who has travelled to or passed through (stopped over in) any region in China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Iran or South Korea should remain at home for 14 days from the date of their return to Australia.
• Any student or staff member who has been in close personal contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus must remain at home for 14 days following that contact.
• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded from attending school until they are medically cleared to return.

At this time, the School is not putting in place any further restrictions for students or staff who have travelled to other countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, this may change if the advice from authorities changes. As before, in the event of a student needing to be quarantined, we ask that you notify the School of the absence through the usual channels and the School will make arrangements for remote learning during this time.

Family Travel

We wish to alert families to the possible risk of students being required to be quarantined after the Term 1 break if they, or people in their home, were to travel anywhere overseas. This is particularly relevant to Year 12 students whose preparations for the HSC could be affected. We ask that families and staff members consider this when planning for holidays. If you do plan to travel overseas, we urge you to check the latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and be mindful that new quarantine or travel restrictions may be implemented while you are away. In addition, if you are planning to have any international guests in your home, we ask that you carefully follow any quarantine advice from NSW Health.

Overseas Trips

Danebank has decided to cancel all overseas school trips and exchanges for students and staff this year. This is in line with the advice from the NSW Department of Education, who have also suspended all overseas school trips. We understand that this will be disappointing for our students and families, but trust that you will recognise that the decision has been made with the safety and wellbeing of our girls at heart.

A separate communication will be sent home to families of those students who had planned to travel to Cambodia or France for Dragon Boat Racing this year.

Potential Temporary Closures of Premises

As you may have seen, the NSW Minister for Education has flagged the possibility of temporary closures of some educational premises in NSW in future as a mechanism to contain the community spread of COVID-19. There are no current plans to exclude larger groups of staff or students from the Danebank campus. However, we will continue to take a measured, informed and well-considered approach in managing our response to the situation, prioritising your daughter’s wellbeing whilst supporting the continuation of learning.

I wish to reassure you that we are well prepared and have systems in place for off campus teaching and learning, should that be needed. We are committed to ensuring our girls will continue to have access to excellent learning opportunities under all circumstances.

Communication with your daughters

Finally, while only a small number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in NSW, there is much news and talk of coronavirus in the media and across the community, and our girls hear and see what is going on around them. For some, this can contribute to anxiety. I encourage you to speak directly with your daughter, even the youngest ones, and to listen to their concerns. Provide them with factual, age-appropriate information and reassure them of all the work being done by the authorities, the medical profession and the School to protect them and us all. Please also remind them of the importance of good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness.

As always, the safety of our girls and their learning are our priority. Our additional hygiene measures remain in place across the School and staff continue to reinforce good hygiene practices with our students. We will continue to communicate any changes or recommendations from the relevant authorities as they become available.

Other NSW government advice

Advice for confirmed cases: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/advice-forconfirmed.aspx

Travellers and isolation: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/hubei-contacts-andtravellers.aspx

Advice for suspected cases: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/advice-forsuspected.aspx

Close contacts: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/novel-coronavirusclose-contact.aspx

Casual contacts: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/novel-coronaviruscasual-contact.aspx

If you have any further queries or concerns, please contact [email protected]

Coronavirus New Email Arrangements

Dear Parents

We sincerely appreciate your positive, pro-active approach and assistance in communicating with us regarding the coronavirus. Going forward, we request that absence-related communications be sent to the school, as follows:

Junior School

1. Coronavirus-related emails: continue to communicate directly with your child’s classroom teacher.
2. Other illnesses: [email protected]

Senior School

1. All attendance, coronavirus- and other illness-related emails: [email protected]

Coronavirus Important Attendance Changes

Dear Parents

As a result of the most recent advice from NSW Health and NSW Department of Education regarding the coronavirus situation, Danebank has decided to require the following:

• If your family has been anywhere in mainland China or Hong Kong in the past two weeks, that you keep your daughter home from school for 14 days from the date of return to Australia.
• If your daughter or other family members have been in contact with a person confirmed as having coronavirus, that your daughter does not attend school for 14 days after the last contact with the person.
• As always, if you have not visited mainland China or Hong Kong, but your daughter is exhibiting any flu-like symptoms, that she does not attend school until she has recovered.
• Students who are to be absent from school as a result of any of the above points, will only be allowed to return to school upon presenting a doctor’s certificate, confirming that the student is well.

Finally, we ask that you consider these matters when planning to attend public Chinese New Year celebrations.

Please note, all these requirements apply to members of our staff as well, and we are communicating with them separately.

At the heart of our decision is the wellbeing and health of our entire school community.

A reminder to please contact the following staff members to advise of your daughter’s absence as a result of these precautionary measures:

• Junior School students: [email protected]
• Senior School students: [email protected]

Should your daughter be affected, we will be in touch to put in place steps to minimise the impact on her learning.

I encourage you to continue to seek advice from NSW Health https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx, including familiarising yourself with basic hygiene guidelines.

Dear Parents

I am writing to provide an update on the coronavirus situation and to inform you of the change in the School’s attendance measures as a result of the latest advice for parents from the NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, ahead of school starting this week.

It is important to note that at the time of writing, NSW Health continue to describe the risk for infection as low.

Further information has indicated that the virus may be infectious during the incubation period and that people may be infectious before symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, are obvious.

Given this, and because the methods of transmission are still not clear, the School has decided to take the following additional precautionary measures:

• Any student who has travelled to Wuhan or the Hubei Province, is to remain at home for 14 days following her return to Australia.
• Any student who has been in close contact with someone who has travelled to these places, is to remain home for 14 days following contact.

We encourage you to seek medical advice proactively. This is a slightly more cautious approach, but it seems sensible given the above indications.

If your daughter will be absent from school as a result of these precautionary measures, please contact the following staff members to advise of her absence:

• Junior School students: [email protected]
• Senior School students: [email protected]

Should your daughter be affected, we will be in touch to put in place steps to minimise the impact on her learning.

I encourage you to continue to seek advice from NSW Health:

• Coronavirus main page: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
• English fact sheet: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/novel-coronavirus.pdf
• Simplified Chinese fact sheet: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/novel-coronavirus-sc.pdf
• English video: https://vimeo.com/386147857/a8e1d22d28
• Mandarin video: https://vimeo.com/386147841/06968c72ae

We will continue to monitor the situation and advise if there are any further developments directly affecting our community.

Coronavirus

Dear Parents

I hope this email finds you well.

I am writing about the recent outbreak of the coronavirus and new cases in NSW. Although we have no reason for immediate concern, we would like to inform you of you the School’s health action plan in accordance with information and advice received from NSW Health.

So that we may care for our girls, staff and wider community, we request that, if your daughter is unwell with flu-like symptoms, you please keep her home from school and seek medical attention.

If any of our students present with symptoms whilst at school, staff will send Senior students to sickbay and Junior students to Junior School Reception. Parents will be notified and, if appropriate, requested to collect their daughter from school to seek medical attention. It is very important that your daughter remains at home until the symptoms clear and she has fully recovered.

We appreciate your consideration and cooperation in working with us in remaining vigilant.

For now, NSW Health offers the following advice (as outlined on their website, link below):

Children returning to school or child care

What if my child is unwell?

Any child who is unwell should not attend childcare or school. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What if my child was in contact with someone who has the coronavirus?

Any child, who has been in contact with a person confirmed as having novel Coronavirus, should not attend school or childcare during the 14 days after last close contact with that person. Contact the local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 for advice.

Close contact is defined as 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a person with confirmed Coronavirus in any setting, or sharing a closed space with a person with confirmed Coronavirus for more than 2 hours.

What if my child is returning to school after visiting Wuhan?

School students returning from Wuhan who are well, and have not been in contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus, can continue to attend school provided that they follow the advice below.

If they develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath, the student should be isolated from other people.

The parents should be asked to give (the student) a surgical mask if available and take the child to their usual GP or emergency department as soon as possible, but to phone ahead so that ideally they can speak to the doctor and the practice can make appropriate preparations to protect others.

In all cases the school should contact the local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 and provide details so that the Public Health Unit can follow up as necessary.

For further information please visit the NSW Health website (https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx) where the latest news and a wealth of other related information can be found.

The links below are to a video with coronavirus health information:

English (https://vimeo.com/386147857/a8e1d22d28)

Mandarin (https://vimeo.com/386147841/06968c72ae)

We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with families as, and when, required.