HOËRSKOOL SWELLENDAM HIGH SCHOOL
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HOËRSKOOL SWELLENDAM HIGH SCHOOL
Tel: 028 – 514 1361 Faks/Fax: 028 – 514 1329
E-pos/E-mail: swellies@telkomsa.net
25 May 2020
Dear parents
We feel privileged to finally communicate with you after a long, uncertain period of time. We are hungry
for interaction with the Swellie parents, learners and supporters. We are confident that you are all doing
well in these trying times.
We would like to thank and congratulate every Swellie who is working hard academically during the
lockdown period. It is without a doubt, not easy. We are aware of many difficulties but are satisfied and
proud of the way in which Swellies are dealing with the situation.
We believe that everybody is aware of the extent and dangers involving COVID-19, as well as the steps
that should be taken by households to safeguard themselves against the virus.
Since 13 May 2020, the school’s management team, administrative staff and ground staff have been
returning to school. Die complete team of staff members will return on 25 May 2020. During this time
period, WCED has delivered the first set of cleaning materials and the school has been thoroughly
cleaned. The school has received cleaning materials, hand sanitiser (70% alcohol) as well as
thermometers. We are still waiting to receive further personal protection equipment for learners and staff
for example masks.
According to Minister Motshekga’s speech on 19 May 2020, schools will reopen on 1 June for grade 7
and grade 12 learners, only if and when the department of education meets all the prerequisites to
ensure the safety of learners and teachers (for example the delivery of personal protection equipment).
SWELLENDAM HIGH SCHOOL’S COVID-19 RETURN PROGRAMME:
1. COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
1.1 School and hostel grounds
All learners and staff will attend a COVID-19 orientation session as soon as they return.
The school grounds and buildings as well as the hostel grounds and buildings have been
thoroughly cleaned and sanitised. The WCED is also responsible for sanitising the school
and hostel before learners return.
The school will continuously be disinfected and hi-risk areas like work surfaces,
bathrooms and handles will be cleaned regularly.
The school will be disinfected every morning and thoroughly cleaned every evening.
Bathrooms will be thoroughly cleaned before and after break times.
Only a specified number of learners will be allowed in the bathroom at any given time.
No person will be allowed to enter the premises without a mask. WCED issues each
learner and staff member with 2 approved cloth face masks. Masks will also be sold at the
school’s shop for R35. Only the above mentioned masks may be worn. On the first day,
learners will replace their personal masks with the prescribed masks. Learners will be
encouraged to also wear these masks on their way home and to school. Masks must be
washed daily and ironed with a warm iron in the morning before school.
No visitors will be allowed on the premises. (This includes parents) If there are urgent
matters that need to be addressed, the school can be contacted telephonically for an
appointment. Everybody on the premises will be encouraged to wash and disinfect their hands
regularly.
Staff and learners are responsible for regularly disinfecting their personal space.
Sanitation stations will be placed at strategic points for example at bathrooms and
entrances. There will be hand sanitisers in all classrooms.
Learners are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitisers and wipes to school on a daily
basis.
Social distancing will be encouraged at all times (1.5m – 2m) and no physical contact will
be allowed. (Not even hugs or elbow greetings).
In order to effectively enforce social distancing during break times, each grade will be
assigned a specific area.
There will be red markers on the floor indicating the appropriate social distance.
The approved social distance inside a classroom is 1.0m – 1.5m. (This applies to
teachers and learners.)
All rooms’ doors and windows must be open at all times for good ventilation.
2. SCHOOL TIMES
School hours stay 7h30 – 14h00.
It is possible that the above mentioned times may change if it is necessary to make room
for additional academic time.
3. PROCEDURES WITH ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
All staff and learners must go directly to the testing stations. Social gatherings are strictly
prohibited.
Grade 12 learners line up on the veranda adjacent to the hall. Use the big car entrance to
the lawn next to the hall. As other grades gradually return to school, the location of their
testing stations will be made known on D6.
The following happens at the testing stations:
Learners line up (use red markers) and practise social distancing.
Temperature is taken.
5 Preventative questions are asked.
A temperature of up to 37.9 ˚C is acceptable.
A temperature of 38 ˚C or more is not acceptable.
If a person answers ‘yes’ to any of the questions, or has a temperature of 38 ˚C or
more, he/she will be requested not to enter the premises.
The 5 preventative questions are as follows:
o Do you have a cough?
o Do you have a fever?
o Are you short of breath?
o Do you have a sore throat?
o Have you been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with the
coronavirus within the past 14 days?
We urgently request parents to evaluate these 5 questions at home, every
morning. If your child answers ‘yes’ to any of these questions, he/she must
please stay at home.
When a learner does not feel well, parents must please keep him/her at home
and must ensure that he/she still stays up to date with his/her school work.
If a learner does not pass the screening test, such a learner will be isolated until
his/her parents can come fetch him/her. (Such a learner must be removed from
the premises by 08:00). Such a person will be advised to call the COVID-19
hotline (021 - 928 4102 / 0800 029 999). Before such a learner may return, clear
evidence must be provided to prove that the necessary precautions had been
taken. Before staff and learners leave the testing station and before a person enters the building,
hands must be sanitised. Hands must also be sanitised when a person leaves the building
to go home in the afternoon.
Please remember that it is not expected of schools to identify COVID-19 cases.
Staff and learners who test positive for COVID-19 must be reported to the department of
health. It is the law.
4. COMORBIDITIES: HIGH-RISK LEARNERS
The following criteria indicate high risk learners:
Existing medical conditions e.g. Diabetes
Existing respirational conditions e.g. Asthma
High blood pressure
Heart diseases
Cancer and other immune-related illnesses
If your child suffers from any of the above mentioned conditions, the school must be
informed as soon as possible via e-mail (swellies@telkomsa.net). This information must
also be supported by an official doctor’s letter. This will ensure that the school can fully
support such a learner.
5. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Although we encourage learners with symptoms to stay at home, it is essential that
healthy learners do attend school. We have already lost a lot of academic contact time
with the lockdown.
Some parents are questioning whether they may decide not to send their children back to
school. Read SATU’s recommendations on this issue on D6.
Learners in different grades will return to school in phases.
Grade 12 learners will start on 1 June.
The dates for grades 8 - 11 learners will be announced by the department of education.
Appearance: The normal appearance rules as per our code of conduct apply at all times
as soon as learners return to school.
Until further notice, learners will wear formal winter uniform on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays learners will wear their LO clothes (school
track suit). This will enable everyone to wash their school uniforms daily in order to
minimise the spread of the virus.
6. ACADEMICS
The curriculums for Grade 8 – 11 will be adjusted and shortened. We are still waiting for
documentation from the department that should specify this information.
The grade 12 curriculum will not be adjusted, shortened or changed.
When grade 12 learners return on 1 June, they will receive a new class time table for
temporary use. Most classes will then be dealt with in the school hall in order to minimise
movement through the school building. (Up until 1 June, grade 12 learners must still use
the current platforms).
Grade 8-11 continue with the current system (D6 and WhatsApp groups) until they return
to school. (As soon as these dates are available, it will be made known on D6.)
There will be no June examination this year. However, formal assessments will be done in
September.
All schoolwork done during lockdown, must be brought to school on the first school day.
Teachers will use this work to evaluate whether learners are on standard. Learners who
are not on standard will have to look at alternative options.
Where learners or classes are not up to date, extra classes will be presented after 14h00
in the afternoon. An extra class time table will be set up and these classes will be
compulsory. This time table will appear on D6. We urgently request all parents to assist the teachers by ensuring that learners keep their
work up to date.
We are confident that the academic year can still be completed successfully.
The school has applied early in April to use Google Classrooms as an education tool. The
application is complete but we are still awaiting final confirmation. The process is slowed
down because of a world wide overload.
Learners are not allowed to borrow any stationary or books from anyone.
Text books, stationary, readers, work books etc. must be brought to school daily and
taken home daily. No books may be left at school until further notice.
7. REPORTS
Since the test series lasted until the end of term 1, our marks discussion will take place on
Tuesday 26 May.
Reports will be available from Friday 29 May.
Detail regarding the distribution of reports will be communicated through D6.
8. YEAR PROGRAMME
There will be no further sporting or extra-mural activities for the 2020 school year.
Unfortunately, there will also be no matric farewell this year.
The new school calendar will be made available on D6 by 1 June 2020. The final dates
have not been made available by WCED.
9. FINANCES
As school, we need to ensure that all relevant accounts are kept up to date in order to
guarantee quality education.
The steps taken to safeguard learners against COVID-19 have had financial
repercussions.
We understand that parents have questions regarding school fee obligations while
learners did not attend school. However, the school still has financial responsibilities (and
in this case unforeseen expenses) as explained above.
If we intend to continue with schooling after lockdown, school fee payments are of utmost
importance.
We therefore request in a friendly but urgent manner that all parents keep to the initial
payment agreements made in the beginning of the year.
If your financial situation has changed drastically because of the pandemic, you must
please contact the financial office as soon as learners return to school.
E-mails in this regard can be sent to finswel@telkomsa.net.
10. TUCK SHOP
The tuck-shop will be closed until further notice.
Learners must bring their own food and drinks to school.
11. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Parents of learners who make use of public transport must ensure that the transport
company complies with all COVID-19 regulations.
12. AFTERCARE
The aftercare facility will still be available and all COVID-19 regulations also apply to the
aftercare.
As the different grades return, aftercare learners may contact me Anke van der Merwe to
confirm whether they will make use of this facility.13. CO-OPERATION
We kindly but urgently request all parents and learners to fully co-operate during these
uncertain times, in order for learning to be optimised and everyone’s safety to be
prioritised.
We urge parents and learners to approach all aspects of COVID-19 with earnest.
If a fellow Swellie or family of a Swellie is directly affected by the virus, we need to
support and help such an individual rather that judge him/her.
We are currently experiencing an unknown, unpredictable situation, in many ways built on speculations
and assumptions. It is crucial that we stay positive and adaptable. All of us are affected in different ways
and we will have to show compassion during these trying times.
Swellendam High School will do everything humanly possible to ensure the safety of its learners and
staff. All of us must continuously be aware of the fact that we pose a potential threat to one another. It is
extremely important that all role players abide strictly to all rules.
Thank you to everyone to date for your co-operation, support and positive input.
Our Swellie-character has certainly been built and developed in new ways.
Kind regards
Nicholas Pelser
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