Dear Parents and Carers,

The Department of Education is taking advice from the Department of Health WA on how schools can best inform and advise their communities regarding the commencement of Term 1 and the evolving situation of the nova coronavirus.

We are still waiting for official guidelines from the Department of Education however, in the meantime, I have contacted the South Metro Education Regional Office and based on the information I have available at present, Willetton Primary School is requesting that parents of children that have travelled from Hong Kong or China, keep their children home from school for 14 days from the date they re-entered Australia.

South Metro Education Regional Office has advised me that the Department of Education is currently preparing guidelines and an information pack for schools.

Rest assured, I will continue to keep the school community informed and updated, immediately any information becomes available.

If you have any concerns or queries at all, or have any family members or friends who have travelled to China or Hong Kong during the school holidays and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Heather McNeil

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please see below the information just received from the Department of Education.

Best wishes,

Heather McNeil

Principal

Dear Principals

You would have seen in the media a continuing concern regarding the Novel Coronavirus.

The Department of Health advises that the risk of transmission remains low; they are monitoring the situation. We are acting on their advice and in conjunction with the Catholic and independent sectors, are implementing necessary precautions for all public and non-government schools across Western Australia.

Health advise that if a student has been in contact with someone who has contracted the virus, they should seek medical advice and stay away from school until they are clear of symptoms for 14 days.

As an extra precaution, if a student has travelled to or through China or Hong Kong in the past two weeks, parents are asked to keep them away from school for a period of 14 days from the date they returned to Perth.

This is a precaution as the incubation period for this virus can be up to 14 days. After that time, and no symptoms, the student may attend school.

I understand some of your parents will have concerns about the risks to their children. They should be referred to the Department of Health² website (ww2.health.wa.gov.au/coronavirus) where there is a factsheet for parents³ and access to a helpline 1800 300 243.

We invite Principals to direct any queries they may have to coronavirussupport@education.wa.edu.au⁴ (for staff queries only).

As the lead agency, the Department of Health will monitor the situation and we will act on their advice and keep you updated as appropriate.

Stephen Baxter
Deputy Director General, Schools