28 January 2021

We eagerly await the start of the school year. By sending you this letter, we attempt to prepare each role player as best we can to fulfil his/her role in making sure we enjoy a successful year. Our two goals for 2021 are that all of us stay safe and healthy during the pandemic and that each boy fulfils his academic potential. Please share the contents of this letter with your son.

The second strain of Covid that we are currently experiencing is different in that it is much more contagious than the first one; and that younger people are easier infected by the virus.

For us to be successful, we all need to work as one strong team. We are dependent on each other’s responsible and disciplined behaviour. We have to make every effort to prevent infection. Therefore, we encourage all to adhere to Covid regulations of the wearing of masks, social distancing and sanitizing. I want to appeal to parents/guardians and boys to limit their movements and social interactions to the absolute necessary, particularly with the start of school on 15 February nearly upon us. Please take the Level 3 Lockdown very seriously. As we all know, it is a matter of life and death.

I have asked the staff to be strict on monitoring Covid regulations. Any boy who does not comply with the regulations will be sent home. I ask for your understanding and support with regards to this.

ACADEMICS:

∙ Our lessons will start online on Monday 1 February 2021 with Grades 9, 11 and 12. ∙ Grades 8 and 10 will start on 3 February due to administrative procedures that need to be done before we can start with lessons.

∙ We will use a 9-day cycle timetable and we ask all boys to follow the timetable strictly and ensure that they follow the times as indicated. Please note that all lessons will be delivered through Google Classroom. The classrooms will be created and each learner is expected to join the classroom before we start on Monday.

∙ For the subjects where books are provided by the school (mainly English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa) and only available after 15 February, plans have been made for the relevant Subject teachers to amend their online teaching accordingly.

∙ A Google Form will be emailed to all parents by the respective Grade Secretaries with regard to your son’s connectivity to the internet; and we request that you complete and return the form ASAP.

English enrichment:

English enrichment classes are provided for boys who find English challenging. The Grade 8 class will only start in the second term, while the rest of the school will start with their classes in the first term.

MOVEMENT:

Upon return to school on 15 February:

∙ Boys will be screened onto campus in the mornings at certain points – boys will be informed of which Grade is to screen in where closer to the time.

∙ The use of classrooms has been limited for teaching and cleaning purposes. The majority of academic classes will be taught outside the main school building in order to try and control the number of feet in the main building, thus limiting the chance of contamination by maximizing the effect the cleaning team has by ensuring they have fewer venues to sanitize daily.

∙ A timetable will be strictly followed every day, which boys will also receive at a point closer to their return. They will know exactly what subject is taught where and when; and are to ensure that they are on time for every period. A corridor movement pattern is in place in the school, ensuring boys access venues by using specific routes; and are clearly marked. Green, Orange and Red zones are in place limiting access to venues as to ensure safety of everybody in the school building. These are to be adhered to at all times.

∙ A small period of time has been allocated between periods for sanitizing and movement purposes. Boys will have a few minutes in-between periods to sanitize surfaces and hands and walk to the next teaching venue.

∙ Limited access to bathrooms – only a few boys at a time (which is monitored) is in place. No tuck-shop facilities will be available at this stage – boys to please bring their own food and drink to school. (To avoid any chance of cross-contamination, no food and drink may be accepted at the school during the course of the day).

∙ Specific designated areas have been allocated to different classes for break times. Boys are to please ensure that they spend their breaks only in the areas designated to them. ∙ Boys are required to wear masks properly (covering the mouth and nose) at all times during the school day – failure to do so will result in a suspension from school. Boys are also encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizers in their blazer pockets or school bags if at all possible, although there will be plenty provided around the school.

∙ No screening at the end of the school day. The boys will simply exit the campus through the gates when final bell rings.

EXTRA-MURALS: SPORT AND CULTURE

∙ Due to the Level 3 lockdown we find ourselves in as a country, no physical sport or cultural meetings will be held. The main reason for doing this is for the safety of both the boys and staff. ∙ The use of online platforms, such as WhatsApp groups and possibly a Google Classroom will be set up for sport and culture. This will be used to keep the boys up to date with current trends and this will also be used to send out plans going forward. Many of the current Queenians are on WhatsApp groups with their coaches and the teachers in charge of the various societies. The new boys will be added to these groups, and new ones created, once they arrive for class from 15 February.

∙ Once we receive our directive from the Department of Education regarding the commencement of sport and cultural activities, we will once again communicate with you in this regard.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

∙ Please ask your son to be vigilant when making use of

public transport to and from school. One of our SGB

members has been in meetings with the Taxi Associations, but we have been advised that once a driver leaves a rank, he tends to make his own rules, which includes NOT adhering to the country’s Covid19 regulations and protocols.

∙ Your son MUST wear his mask for the duration of his trip, both to and from school. ∙ He must take his own sanitizer in his blazer pocket (often taxi drivers are no longer providing this service as they say it is costly for them) to use before and after his taxi trip.

COVID SURVEYS FOR THE START OF SCHOOL 2021:

On 8 February 2021 the Grade Secretaries will email all parents a Covid Questionnaire for completion and immediate return to the school via Google.

Please ensure that when you receive this form, you complete it and return it timeously. Failure to do so could result in your son’s return to school being delayed.

COVID MODULES:

We are in the process of updating our Covid 19 Modules from 2020; and these will be emailed to you shortly.

Should you have any queries whatsoever, kindly direct them to your son’s Grade Head via the Grade Secretaries, namely:

GRADE HEAD GRADE SECRETARY

8 Mr Tyrone Rankin Ms Suzzette Villas

9 Mr Richard Fietze Ms Suzzette Villas

10 Mr Malvin Charasika Mrs Lisa Miles

11 Mr Riekie Lessing Mrs Lisa Miles

12 Mr Wilbert Gumunyu Mrs Karen Chellew

We trust that you are all safe and strong and can’t wait to see all your sons back at school in February.

Yours sincerely

J VAN DER RYST

HEADMASTER