Last Updated: Mon 06 December 2021 | Recent updates (since Mon 06 Dec) are listed in RED.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

This page assists Prince of Peace Lutheran College families interested in accessing the latest information regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in relation to their child’s education. Along with SEQTA correspondence and Flex@POP, it will continue to provide regular updates relating to COVID-19, particularly during lockdown periods. We recommend families visit the QLD government website for a broader range of COVID-19 information. Facebook updates and POP App pushes will continue.

Latest Information

Currently Queensland finds itself with limited COVID-19 cases and community transmission, but we watch carefully the current positions of other states and recognise the ability for the status quo to change very quickly and with very little warning.

As such, schools currently find themselves in several states at once.

  • We continue to carefully look over non-standard events like planned incursions, excursions and camps, to ensure that if they are to proceed it is in line with COVID-19 recommendations by the QLD Department of Health.
  • We continue to maintain a state of readiness to respond to the return to remote learning (Flex@POP).
  • We continue to plan and ensure readiness in the event of Prince of Peace being required to close due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

 

Measures being undertaken to protect all adults and students at school include:

  1. Staff and students who are unwell must not attend school.
  2. All adults must wear a mask whilst on campus.
  3. All children over the age of 12 must wear a mask in the classroom until further notice.
  4. All adults must maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres.
  5. Adults must not gather in groups in and around school grounds, car parks, school gates and outside classrooms.
  6. Parents should use stop, drop and go options rather than walking children into school grounds.
  7. Strict personal hygiene protocols, including the cleaning of high touch surfaces such as desks and door handles, will remain in place.

 


 

  • Both campuses of Prince Of Peace are open, but visitors (including parents picking up and dropping off), should remain on site for the shortest time possible and practice social distancing if required to be interacting with others.  Parents should not arrive early to pick up their children, should not remain on site once their children have been collected and should remain in their vehicles were possible.
  • Prince of Peace is prepared for a range of scenarios, and we have outlined below a number of recommendations to families as this situation continues to evolve.

Prince of Peace confirms that as at 06/12/2021, there are currently no known cases of the novel coronavirus in our school community, and the measures we are taking are in line with government recommendations.

 

Face mask rules (as listed on the QLD Government website) as of 2 August 2021:

If you are 12 years of age or older, or are in Year 7 or above, face masks must be worn if you:

  • live in a locked down area, or
  • have been in a South East Queensland locked down area at any time since 1am AEST 29 June, unless 14 days have passed since you were there; or
  • reside in the same household as a person who has been in a locked down area at any time from 1am AEST 31 July 2021

You must carry a face mask with you at all times. You must wear a face mask at all times when you are outside your home, unless:

  • you are alone in your car or with the members of your household
  • you are eating or drinking
  • you are participating in strenuous exercise
  • it is unsafe.

Masks must be worn in any indoor workplace even where social distancing is possible.

All staff at childcare facilities and schools are required to wear masks at all times. This includes during face-to-face teaching. A mask should only be removed when communicating with a child, student or person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. In this situation, a face shield should be worn instead.

All students who go to high school also need to wear masks. For schools that have Prep to grade 12, any student in grade 7 and above is required to wear a mask at all times even if the grade 7 student is under 12 years of age.

Students in Prep and from grade 1 up to and including grade 6 are not required to wear a mask.

There are some other exceptions to wearing face masks, including for children under 12 (unless they are at school in Grade 7) and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities. If in doubt, wear a face mask.

 


Symptoms of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NED-1370-Coronavirus-symptoms-comparison_NyAdNvG7

Personal Hygiene

The most important thing that you can do at this time is to place a high priority on personal hygiene:

  • To stop the spread, show your children how to wash their hands properly using soap and water regularly, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The College has provided access to hand sanitiser for all staff and students.
  • All students are to have their own water bottles, filled with sufficient water for any sporting practice or fixtures. Students are NOT to share their water bottle with another student.
  • If your child is unwell, please keep them at home and notify College Reception in a timely manner. Junior Campus: (07) 3872 5700 or Senior Campus: (07) 3872 5600, or email absences@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au, or via the absentee button on the PoP App.
Washing-Hands

Will Prince of Peace Need to Close?

You will no doubt be aware of continuing closures in schools around Australia have as a result of students or staff testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is expected that in the event of a case coming into contact with the College community, a directive from Queensland Health would come, closing the College for a minimum of 24-48 hours. This could happen at any time throughout 2021.

As we continue to be prepared, and not alarmed, we would encourage students to ensure they take their laptop and charger home each day, and relevant texts (if not available online) in case of an unforeseen school closure.

Varied responses for possible scenarios are likely.  Examples of possible scenarios are as follows:

Suspected case of COVID-19 in:

      • Staff member
      • Student
      • Family member of staff member
      • Family member of student
      • Visitor to site

Confirmed case of COVID-19 in:

      • Staff member
      • Student
      • Family member of staff member
      • Family member of student
      • Visitor to site

Dependent on contract tracing, it is highly likely that in one or more of these scenarios Queensland Health may direct particular members of the school community to self-quarantine or isolate for 14 days if they are deemed a close contact.

 

What will happen if students are directed to stay at home or Prince of Peace Lutheran College is directed to close?

  • Parents and students will not be permitted to access the campus or lockers if the College is closed.
  • Teaching and learning for all students will continue. Teachers will deliver lessons via relevant online platforms. Further information will be advised shortly.
  • Outside School Hours Care will be closed (including After School Care, Vacation Care).
  • The College Uniform Store (located on the Junior Campus) will be closed.
  • All outside providers for sport and music tuition will be cancelled (e.g. music lessons, netball, swimming).
  • The College intends to provide a limited range of services online (e.g. Business Office, IT Services).

How Will Prince of Peace Communicate with You?

Prince of Peace Lutheran College will continue to email you with important information updates. This page will be reviewed daily, and should be the point of truth for parents to access up to date information relating to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition, information updates will continue to be placed on the Prince of Peace Lutheran College Facebook page as well as the PoP App.

In the event of a school closure, parents will be notified immediately via email as well as all other modes of College communication—including Facebook and the PoP App.

Please ensure that you have the Prince of Peace Lutheran College App downloaded onto your phone or tablet to receive the latest alerts. Please download the app from the App Store (Apple devices) by searching for ‘Prince of Peace Lutheran College’ or from Google Play (Android devices) by searching or following this link, or scan the the relevant QR code below, then set your Notification Subscriptions:

iPhone PoP App

Android PoP App


Further Information

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this current situation.  If you have any further questions or concerns, please email HeadOfCollege@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au.  All student absences should be reported via absences@princeofpeace.qld.edu.au or via the absentee button on the PoP App.


Parent Resources

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving international health concern. Although children are considered at lower risk of infection, they are not immune to the anxiety that may result from hearing the multitude of news reports regularly seen or heard in the media.

This pandemic is a cause for great concern to parents, but it is also very worrying to young people. Many are wondering how best to discuss this pandemic in a way that will be reassuring to kids without making them feel more worried than what they may be already. Parents should not avoid such a discussion with their kids. Not talking about something can often make them worry more.

Although most children will have already heard about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is important for parents and caregivers to take this opportunity to convey the facts about it and set the emotional tone. This may help kids feel more informed and reassured. Involving them and encouraging self-efficacy can also give them a sense of control and purpose.

Useful Links

Please note these links are provided as a reference for your information only and do not necessarily constitute the official views of POPLC.

Talking Points for Families with Young Children


GENERAL INFORMATION

For more information on Coronavirus and the Government’s response, please visit: www.treasury.gov.au/coronavirus or www.australia.gov.au.
Alternatively you can contact the business.gov.au support line at 13 28 46.