Sydney Boys High School

High Notes, Vol 21 No 26, August 21 2020

From the Principal

The SBHS School Council

The Chair of the SBHS School Council, on behalf of the 15 Councillors present at the meeting of 11 August, asked me to convey the School Council’s appreciation and thanks to all staff and students for their efforts during this difficult phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to all staff and students who have been so cheerfully resilient during this prolonged period of disruption and anxiety.

School Response to Community Covid-19 Concerns

The P & C President, Geoff Waring, passed on to me parental concerns in relation to our anti-virus protocols at school. Given the heightened anxiety in our school community this week, I am responding to each of them.

Request for compulsory masks, temperature checks, frequent hand sanitiser.
As yet, schools do not have a policy of compulsory mask-wearing. At High, we have issued every staff member with two washable face masks. We have encouraged them to wear a mask if they choose to do so. We ask that students wear masks on public transport to and from schools.  We have supplied each staffroom and sport MICs with non-contact thermometers. Students have their temperatures taken before being allowed into examinations. All staff have access to PPE and sanitising products. Hand sanitiser stations are set up around the school. In so far as PPE and cleaning products, the school has expended and continues to expend considerable funds, time and effort, to maintain hygiene and safety, way beyond what the Department of Education has required or been providing. We cannot mandate anything beyond the Department of Education guidelines.

A page on the school website explaining how SBHS is handling Covid-19.
A link has been provided on the school’s website front page  www.sbhs.nsw.edu.au

An email address for parents to ask questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A reminder to keep boys with symptoms at home and get them tested.
I would like to remind parents to abide by the Health Department protocols and if their sons are unwell keep them at home. If they are COVID symptomatic, get them tested and supply the school with a negative test result in writing before they return to school. If students are sent to sick bay with symptoms and after assessment by a First Aid Officer are told that they need to go home and to be tested for Coronavirus, on return to school they must report to the office with a negative test result certificate before they will be allowed back to class. To be safe, we recommend that a student should email a scanned copy of the certificate to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it prior to returning to school.

An FAQ answering questions like if boys have a sore throat, can they come to school? Can they come if they wear a mask? This could be added to the existing FAQ.
The school does not comment on Department of Health guidelines and protocols. Parents are advised to access NSW Government advice at:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

We recommend that students download the NSW Schools Updates app.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/nsw-school-updates-app

AAGPS Sports Update – 18 August

The AAGPS Chairman, Mr Mark Ticehurst, in consultation with the GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee, wishes to provide the following update regarding GPS sporting programmes in 2020:

"In light of the NSW Health correspondence 'Minimising Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in NSW School Communities', dated 14 August 2020, and in the best interest of the safety and welfare of our staff, students, volunteers and the entire AAGPS community and our many family and friends, The GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee has announced that all AAGPS 2020 winter sport competitions and fixtures will be suspended effective immediately. The remainder of the 2020 calendar will remain as per scheduled, with schools permitted to conduct sporting activities within current Government health and safety guidelines in preparation for the re-commencement of AAGPS sporting fixtures when it is deemed safe and appropriate to do so.

"The AAGPS acknowledges that advice and the current situation has and will continue to change rapidly. As the situation evolves, the AAGPS will continue to monitor, and act accordingly throughout the remainder of 2020.

"For further information or clarification, please contact Mr Mark Ticehurst, AAGPS Chairman on 0427 990 761, or Mr Nigel Price, Executive Officer on 0497 012 143."
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal