Dear Parents and Caregivers

It is without doubt to say that we are experiencing an unprecedented and unique time in our school. I don’t think it necessary to review what has already been communicated to everyone on an almost daily basis regarding the COVID-19 situation.  However, we need to be mindful that the situation changes daily and a constant attention to our school communications is vital to remain informed.

I am very grateful for the support that our school community is providing to us. Thank you for the calm and measured approach which we have been afforded, particularly when we have had to cancel, postpone or rearrange school operations to reflect the current directives.  As a staff, we are disappointed that many of our traditional school events are no longer on the calendar, and we certainly don’t have a timeframe for when things may get back to normal or when we can again program events.  I will continue to keep the community updated through SMS texts for short messages, the P&C Facebook site and through our newsletter platform.

I have included some advice and information below from our Guidance Officer for your interest and consideration. For more updates on COVID-19, please visit http://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/novel-coronavirus

8 tips on what to tell your kids about coronavirus

As the number of new cases of coronavirus infection continue to rise the impact is now being felt in schools in Australia. It’s therefore important for parents to be there for their children to ease any concerns they may have about the virus and how it could affect them.  So here’s some advice for parents to help them and their children stay informed.

1. Control during uncertainty

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease COVID-19, which can be like a common cold but it can also have more serious complications. Signs of infection may include: fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some severe cases can involve pneumonia or kidney failure with more serious consequences.

One reason people experience anxiety during a pandemic is uncertainty about its impact. Research during the 2009 swine flu (H1N1) pandemic found those people who struggled with uncertainty were more likely to see the pandemic as threatening, and this can lead to increased levels of anxiety.

One way to provide our children with certainty in uncertain times is with facts, for example, telling them the evidence so far shows children are less likely to experience severe symptoms than older adults.

You can also help them gain a sense of control by giving them strategies to help prevent them catching the virus.

2. Practise good hygiene

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says we should channel our concern into good hygiene.

Encourage your children to wash their hands with soap and water frequently (particularly after going to the toilet, coming from a public place, and before and after eating).

Children should also use a tissue to sneeze into and put the tissue in the bin afterwards.

3. Be careful with the news media

A quick scan of the news brings up headlines such as “Australia’s coronavirus death rate could proportionally be worse than China’s, expert warns”. This report even includes a graph showing “How likely are you to die from Coronavirus?”

Exposing children to such reports can increase their fear and anxiety.

There is a clear and strong relationship between what children see as threatening information in the media and their level of fear.

So be careful with what news media your children are exposed to. Try to watch, listen or read it with them so you are there for any questions they may have.

4. Stay with the facts

When answering such questions, use information from the World Health Organisation and other trustworthy sources to inform yourself.

Filter some of the incorrect information around preventing COVID-19 (eating garlic, having hot baths) and inform your family with the correct information. Don’t be someone who passes on incorrect information to your children or others.

5. Talk about your feelings

It’s OK to feel worried. Talking about your feelings of stress can help you work through them.

If you try to push down feelings of stress this can have an impact on your health.

As parents you only have to listen and hear your child’s concerns. You can’t promise things will be safe or certain. But you can assure them that as a family you will work together to manage whatever comes up in the future and that you are there to listen to them.

6. Don’t pass on your fear

Research from the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic showed children’s fear of the disease was significantly related to their parents’ fear of the disease.

This effect of parents passing on fear even exists when there is nothing to fear. Research showed if parents get negative information about something that is harmless, they are more likely to pass on those negative beliefs to their children and increase their level of fear.

So even if you feel stressed about COVID-19, you need to make sure you don’t pass on this fear to your children. Show them you are calm. Don’t be a carrier for fear.

7. Keep on living life

It is easy to get swept away with panic about the future and what may happen. But being future-focused only contributes to anxiety.

Help your child to focus on the now and what they are doing today. These things are in their control – work hard at school, train for netball. Continue their routine and enjoy the moments.

8. Work together

This is not a time to be selfish, but to work together and support one another.

Be kind to others (don’t steal their toilet paper) and encourage your children to be kind to others as well.  Being less self-focused helps to alleviate stress and give life more meaning and purpose.

Author: Mandie Shean, Lecturer, School of Education, Edith Cowan University.

Students Absent from School

If you decide to keep your children home from school due to COVID-19, it’s important that you advise us how long your children will be absent for and the absence will be marked as authorised.

You can also now access our new learning@home hub with a range of resources to support students to continue their learning. Please visit qld.gov.au/learningathome 

NAPLAN Cancellation

Advice has been received that all NAPLAN testing across the country has been cancelled for 2020.  I would like to acknowledge, however, the significant amount of work undertaken by our NAPLAN implementation team ( Mrs Katrina Wilkinson,  Mrs Linda Smith and our Year 3 and 5 teachers) )  which has underpinned our school preparation over the last 12 months, including the resource acquisition and student readiness tests.  This year would have been the first online tests completed at Dayboro State School.

Staff News

At the end of this term we are farewelling our School Chaplain, Mr Cameron Quirk (AKA Chappy Cam).  Cameron and his wife have been successful in their application to become pastors at a church in Coffs Harbour.

On behalf of the school, I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution Cameron has made to our school and wish him and his family all the very best as they move onto the next stage of their careers. 

Event Cancellations/Changes- UPDATED

Please note the status for each of the events for our school:-

1. Weekly school assemblies – CANCELLED until further notice. Students will be given updates each morning in the CSA each morning.
2. Parent/Teacher Interviews – please check advice from your child’s classroom teacher as to mode of delivery. Some interviews have been suspended until term 2.
3. ANZAC Day School Assembly – CANCELLED. Our school will be acknowledging ANZAC Day in an alternative way – To be confirmed.
4. ANZAC Day Community March and Service – school involvement CANCELLED
5. Visit by Radio 96.5FM on Friday 3 April – POSTPONED
6. Ice-Cream Day on Tuesday 31 March – CANCELLED
7. National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence – This Friday 27 March- AS SCHEDULED – Wear Orange
8. Prep Vision Screening – POSTPONED until October
9. Easter Hat Parade 3 April – CANCELLED
10. Crazy Sock Day – Friday 3 April – AS SCHEDULED

Term 2 events are under review and will be advised early next term.

Effective hand hygiene is vital

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, it is important to remember that effective hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against viruses and can help prevent the spread of illness.

Lead by example and encourage your children to:

• wash their hands regularly with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
• use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap is not available
• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of their elbow
• dispose of tissues in the bin immediately
• if they’re unwell, stay at home and avoid contact with others such as touching, kissing or hugging.

Check out the 20 second routine video for effective handwashing.

Further information about   COVID-19 is available on the Queensland Health website or Australian Government website.

Prep Information – 2021

We are already receiving enquiries about our Prep program for 2021. We are pleased to provide information and enrolment information anytime at our school office. However, I am able to advise that our Prep Information and Enrolment Morning will be held on Wednesday 19 August at 9.30am in our School Hall.  This will be followed up with Prep interviews for all newly enrolled students from 19-23 October and a Prep Orientation Day on Tuesday 10 November.

If you have a child born between 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016, he/she is eligible for Prep enrolment at Dayboro State School in 2021. Please note that Dayboro State School has an Enrolment Management Plan in place – please check at http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/catchment/ for further information.

I would be pleased if this information could be circulated to people who are known to you and are wishing to enrol in our Prep program in 2021.

Our school says 'Bullying. No Way!' on the National Day of Action

This Friday 27 March, our school will be taking a stand together on the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. 

The National Day is an annual event for Australian schools where school communities across the nation stand as one against bullying and violence.
Dayboro State School is dedicated to creating safe and supportive school environments, free from bullying, harassment and violence.

Together, we can send clear messages to young people that bullying and violence, in or outside the classroom, are not okay at any time.

Our School is planning an “Orange Day” on Friday 27 March. We are inviting all our students and school community to wear something Orange to signify the importance of this day.

We will keep you informed about our plans and activities to celebrate the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on Friday 27 March. Please note the date in your diaries.

Garry Drummond

Principal