St Patrick’s Catholic School
Pandemic Policy
Rationale
This policy is to ensure that St Patrick’s Catholic School has a plan to respond appropriately in the event of a pandemic and continue to meet its obligations under Health and Safety legislation and serve the school community.
Guidelines
Appointment of a Pandemic Manager
The principal will take the role of the Pandemic Manager
The principal will identify other staff to assist her (usually the Senior Management Team)
The principal will delegate tasks to other staff members to ensure the pandemic plan is implemented and the risk of infection for students and staff is minimised
The Pandemic Manager will be responsible for ensuring that an effective system for maintaining the contact database for staff and students is kept current
The Pandemic Manager will be responsible for ensuring the school has adequate supplies of tissues, hand hygiene products and cleaning supplies
The Pandemic Manager will be responsible for ensuring the communication strategies (section three) are implemented in a timely manner, utilising as many modes of communication as deemed necessary
School Closure
In the event of an active pandemic, the school will be directed by the Ministry of Health as to whether to remain open or closed, and when to reopen.
If the school is directed to close, the community will be advised via radio, school website, MOE website, school Facebook page and email. Notices will be placed at each entrance to the school. The phone message at reception will also advise parents of the closure and where to go to access updated information .
In the event of school closure directed by the Ministry of Health, no students will be sent home until:
parents have been contacted and advised of the situation
OR parents have arrived at school and advised the principal that they are going to take the student. It is very important that an accurate roll is maintained during the closure so that at any time the location of all students is known.
No pupils shall be left to find their own way home or return home if it is not known whether parents are available. Pupils may only be released into the care of another adult if the person has been authorised by the parent.
The Education Act gives principals and Boards of Trustees powers to exclude students or staff in certain circumstances including those that have been identified as having an infectious disease (Regulation 19). Those that have been excluded due to infectious disease must obtain medical clearance before returning to school.
3. Communication Plan
The school will provide clear, timely and proactive communications to the Board, staff, students, parents/caregivers, contractors and suppliers explaining how we are managing the situation at all stages of the pandemic.
Multiple forms of communication will be employed. These include but are not limited to; school website, school Facebook page, MoE website, email, notices at entrances to the school, phone and local media
The school will maintain regular communication with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and with local authorities at each stage of the pandemic.
The school will follow the advice of the Ministry of Health at every stage of the pandemic.
4. Reliable Resources
Additional resources and templates, including the Pandemic Planning Guide for Schools can be found at:
5. Learning in the case of School Closure
In the event the school is closed for an extended period of time, the principal in consultation with the Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team, will establish ongoing learning objectives for students and modify teaching modules to deliver these activities to students digitally where possible.
6. Infection Control
Staff and students will be informed of correct hygiene procedures to minimise the spread of respiratory illnesses as advised by the Ministry of Health.
Ratified: 17 March 2020