COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community

Dear BGS Community,

The Premier’s announcement that community sport may resume from 4.00pm on Friday 20 August is welcome news for Queenslanders.

The GPS Management Committee met yesterday to consider the easing of restrictions. This statement from the GPS Association of Queensland outlines the updated information resulting from those discussions.

The decision has been made for BGS not to resume participation in the GPS competition this weekend due to our managed transition out of quarantine. While most GPS member schools will compete this weekend in modified Basketball, Chess and Track & Field programs, BGS students will not contest or participate in any competitive GPS sport or activities this weekend.

As you are aware, BGS recently completed two weeks of strict quarantine while other schools completed one week of lockdown. The protocols and measures in place at BGS ensure we safely manage our transition out of quarantine and provide our students with adequate time to prepare and train after they were unable to leave their homes for 14 days.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount. BGS will provide additional training and preparation for sport and competition next week, while continuing to maintain comprehensive protocols and safety measures. These protocols contribute to keeping our community and our fellow GPS communities safe.

Following a full week of training and match preparation next week, we anticipate a return to GPS competition in Round 7 against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace next weekend.

We are also investigating opportunities for additional fixtures for some teams, utilising the GPS bye round in Week 8, to give our students as many opportunities as possible to compete for BGS this term.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef 
Headmaster 

The School is working with the GPS Association of Queensland to consider and respond to the easing of community sport restrictions announced by the Queensland Premier today (Wednesday 18 August).

We will update our community tomorrow on our plan to safely return to sport and competition as soon as possible.

 

Dear BGS Community,

I reiterate my thanks to everyone in the BGS community. The dedication of our students, parents, teachers, business and services staff, and household members to quarantine and follow Queensland Health directives has helped keep our state safe. We understand many of the challenges of the past few weeks and we are grateful that most students and staff returned to campus today.

The return to school involved a significant amount of work to ensure the campus is as safe as possible. BGS has developed comprehensive return to school protocols informed by Queensland Health and our own safe practices that include an intense ongoing cleaning regime, mask-wearing, hygiene requirements, directional pedestrian movement, signage, visitor restrictions and social distancing for staff. Please see photos below showing some of the safety measures in place on campus.

It has been pleasing to see all students wearing their masks around campus and adjusting to the new normal.

The School is in regular contact with the BGS families who continue to be directly affected by COVID-19. We are providing as much support as possible to these families.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

 

Dear BGS Community,

We have just been informed that about 600 BGS community members have mistakenly received a text message or email from Queensland Health today (Sunday 15 August) instructing them that they cannot attend school tomorrow.

As long as you have met the quarantine exit requirements outlined below, please disregard that message/email.

• You have completed a Day 12 negative COVID-19 test result.
• No one in your household has tested positive for COVID-19.
• You have no COVID-19 symptoms.
• You have completed the 14-day quarantine period.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

We were advised yesterday afternoon that the Metro North Public Health Unit is reconciling BGS community data on contact tracing and COVID-19 testing. We were informed that the Quarantine Release Form assists Queensland Health with that process.

If you haven’t already, please complete the Quarantine Release Form here. The form should be completed for each and every member of your household.

I confirm that while staff and students do not need the confirmation letter to return to school, completing the Quarantine Release Form will reduce the likelihood of Queensland Health contacting you tomorrow (Sunday 15 August) as part of their reconciliation process. Note, the confirmation letter is not generated instantly and may take until the end of the weekend to come through to your email.

We again apologise for the confusion around this process, but we are relying on information provided to us.

Thank you.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Correction to Queensland Health advice in previous communication

 

Dear BGS Community,

Queensland Health has just advised that, contrary to their written advice earlier today, you do not need a letter to exit quarantine at 11.59pm tonight (Friday 13 August), so long as you meet the other exit requirements:

• You have completed a Day 12 negative COVID-19 test result.
• No one in your household has tested positive for COVID-19.
• You have no COVID-19 symptoms.
• You have completed the 14-day quarantine period.

The School encourages you to complete the Quarantine Release Form, but it will not be a requirement to return to the campus for staff or students. We apologise for the confusion.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Please note, this communication has been updated.

 

Dear BGS Community,

Please read the below information carefully, particularly the information on what is required to exit quarantine and return to BGS. You must complete the Quarantine Release Form.

END OF HOME QUARANTINE

BGS will reopen on Monday 16 August. The release date for the majority of the BGS community is tonight (Friday 12 August) at 11.59pm. Please note, some community members need to stay in quarantine until tomorrow (Saturday 13 August).

To return to school, you will need to ensure that all the following points have been adhered to:

• You have completed a Day 12 negative COVID test result.
• No one in your family has tested positive.
• You have no COVID-19 symptoms.
• You have completed the 14-day quarantine.

A Quarantine Release Form from Metro North Public Health Unit has been made available for you to complete and confirm the above. Click here to complete the online form. The form is not mandatory.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL

• Parents and carers will not be able to come on site. BGS has arrangements in place to support all student’s transition back to campus.
• Everyone on school premises is required to wear a mask.
• All staff will wear a face mask at all times, including when teaching.
• Some students may experience anxiety or sensory sensitivities with regards to wearing a mask. Staff will work these students and parents to make the necessary adjustments.

THANK YOU

Thank you to the BGS community – students, parents, teachers, business and service staff, and household members – for your support and efforts during the quarantine period. We understand it has been a challenging period.

It was wonderful to hear of parents gaining insight into classes and students showing maternity, adaptability and engagement. BGS is nothing without community, and the support we show each other during these times demonstrates our real strength.

Our thoughts remain with the BGS families directly affected by the Delta strain. The School will continue to work with those families to make sure they are supported.

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Please read the below information carefully, particularly the information on how to exit quarantine.

BGS AND BGGS WEBINAR – watch video and read Q&As

• For those who were unable to attend the Grammar Schools Webinar on Tuesday night this week, you can view it here. More than 200 questions were submitted live during the event and not all questions could be answered.
• Please click here to view a Q&A of the many questions. We again thank Chief Medical Officer Metro North Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook and Public Health Physician Dr Candice Holland for participating in the webinar.

HOW TO EXIT QUARANTINE

• BGS will send a link to our community tomorrow afternoon with instructions on how to exit quarantine. Queensland Health will also send the link via email and/or SMS to all persons they have identified on their lists in association with BGS.
• The link will take the user to an online portal where all persons in the household must fill out the form and give a declaration to say they have met the conditions for exit from quarantine. The conditions will include completing a negative Day 12 COVID test by the primary contact, and a declaration that no one in their family has developed any COVID symptoms since undertaking their Day 12 test.
• This will then generate a PDF form that will serve as a Quarantine Release Form.
• You will only be permitted to leave quarantine once you receive this form.

COVID TESTING

• Please note, the BGS testing centre at Centenary Hall will be open from 8.00am to 12.00pm tomorrow (Friday 13 August).

 

I reiterate my thanks to the thousands of BGS community members who turned out yesterday and over the past two weeks to be COVID tested. Your commitment to Queensland Health directives has been commendable.

Our thoughts remain with the BGS families directly affected by the Delta strain. The School will continue to work with those families to make sure they are supported.

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

In tomorrow’s communication, I will outline some of the additional measures the School has implemented in order to bolster safe practices at each of the BGS campuses and the back-to-school procedures for next week.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

I thank the thousands of BGS community members who turned out today and over the past two weeks to be COVID tested. Your commitment to Queensland Health directives has been commendable.

I also pass on my thanks to many of you who attended the Grammar Schools Webinar with Queensland Heath last night. We thank Chief Medical Officer Metro North Dr Elizabeth Rushbrook and Public Health Physician Dr Candice Holland for answering many of the questions. More than 200 questions were submitted live during the event and not all questions could be answered. BGS and BGGS are working through the questions and will provide responses this week.

We have commenced preparing the campus and introducing heightened protocols to optimise the COVID safe operation of BGS. There will be a raft of safe practices implemented to support our staff and students as they transition back to campus. Details about these arrangements will be provided on Friday 13 August. All students (Years 5 to 12) will be required to wear a mask when they return to campus. Please see the below information from the Queensland Government about wearing masks:

• How to wear a mask
• Will a face mask protect me from COVID-19?

Our thoughts are with the BGS families directly affected by the Delta strain. I pass on the well wishes from community members who have reached out to the School enquiring about the wellbeing of our affected families and offering to provide support.

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Today’s communication focuses on the Grammar Schools Webinar with Queensland Health tonight (including the link to join the online meeting) and COVID testing tomorrow (including a revised QML registration form for Centenary Hall).

BGS AND BGGS WEBINAR TONIGHT

The Grammar Schools Webinar with Queensland Heath will start at 7.30pm tonight (Tuesday 10 August) and run for 45 minutes. It will be a Zoom event open to families and staff from both Grammar schools.

Click here to log on a few minutes before 7.30pm.

The webinar will follow the below format:

• 7.30pm: Introduction from BGS Headmaster Anthony Micallef, BGGS Principal Jacinda Euler, and Queensland Health representatives.
• 7.35pm: Discussion answering questions submitted in advance.
• 8.00pm: Q&A responding to questions that have been submitted during the webinar.
• 8.10pm: Concluding comments and what’s next. An FAQ will be compiled and sent to all BGS and BGGS families.
• 8.15pm: End webinar.

COVID TESTING SITES TOMORROW – Wednesday 11 August

 The majority of people in the BGGS and BGS communities are currently in home-based quarantine, which is due to end at 11.59pm this Friday 13 August. Some households may have been directly instructed by Queensland Health that their particular quarantine period ends at a later time due to circumstances applicable to that household.

To exit quarantine, Queensland Health requires all close contacts to return two negative COVID-19 test results, with the second test to be performed strictly on Day 12 of your quarantine period (the first test should have been performed early last week). Queensland Health also recommends secondary contacts (household members of close contacts) undergo Day 12 testing. To understand whether you are a close or secondary contact, please read this Queensland Health letter. For households due to exit quarantine on Friday, their Day 12 is this Wednesday (11 August 2021).

In anticipation of significant demand for Day 12 testing, BGGS and BGS have collaborated to arrange the following options, which may be accessed by community members of both schools. You may also choose to use any other testing site that is more convenient to your household.

Please note: Online classes will be suspended on Wednesday 11 August to allow staff, students and parents to get tested.

Drive-through Testing Site: RNA Showgrounds

This drive-through testing site will be operated by Sullivan Nicolaides in the main arena of the RNA Showgrounds at the following times:

• Wednesday 11 August from 8.00am to 7.00pm;
• Thursday 12 August from 8.00am to 7.00pm; and
• Friday 13 August from 8.00am to 12.00pm.

This testing site should be accessed via Gregory Terrace, approaching from Bowen Bridge Road (ie Gate 3, 600 Gregory Terrace).

Walk-in Testing Site: BGS Centenary Hall with overflow to BGGS Barbara Fielding Room

These walk-in testing sites will be operated by QML, primarily in the BGS Centenary Hall and also in the Barbara Fielding Room at BGGS if and when queues become excessive. Any overflow will be managed by testing site personnel.  The number of testing stations within Centenary Hall will be increased for Wednesday. The operating times for these sites are:

• Wednesday 11 August from 7.00am to 5.00pm;
• Thursday 12 August from 8.00am to 3.00pm; and
• Friday 13 August from 8.00am to 3.00pm.

* QML may extend the closing time depending on demand

The BGS staff car park on Oval No. 2 will be open and can be accessed via Kalinga Avenue (the lane between the two schools). When the car park is full, people will need to park on neighbouring streets.

Traffic controllers and SES volunteers will be onsite to help manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Registration Process

To expedite the testing process, each individual person using either testing site is requested to bring a completed and printed copy of the applicable attached pathology request form. The form may be completed electronically (form-fillable PDF) before printing, or it may be completed by hand. If you are unable to print the form at home, hard copies of the form will be made available for completion by hand at the testing sites and we recommend that you bring a pen.

Please instruct the pathologist that you are having your 12-day COVID test. Use the corresponding pathology request form for the applicable sites, as follows:

• RNA Showgrounds registration from – Sullivan Nicolaides
• BGS Centenary Hall with Overflow to BGGS Barbara Fielding Room – QML

 * Queensland Health has also requested that students being tested should indicate their school and their year group in the box at the top right called “File No.” on the QML form.

Masks and Social Distancing

All persons attending our testing sites (drive-through and walk-in) must wear masks at all times, except when being tested. Households who queue for the walk-in testing site must socially distance from other household groups.

We sincerely thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we manage the Day 12 testing process for our school communities.

Please be particularly respectful to all personnel – who are working or volunteering in trying circumstances – operating the testing sites.

 REQUIREMENTS TO EXIT MANDATORY HOME QUARANTINE

1. Return two negative COVID tests:

• First test ASAP on notification; and
• Second test on day 12 of quarantine.

2. Strict adherence to the time of release on the Queensland Health letter.

3. You must also be symptom free, if not please contact Queensland Health for advice.

 

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

To the best of our knowledge, 19 BGS community members have tested positive for COVID-19, including boys and teachers, and their family members. Our thoughts are with the individuals and their families.

BGS AND BGGS WEBINAR

The Grammar Schools Webinar with Queensland Heath will start at 7.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday 10 August) and run for 45 minutes. It will be a Zoom event open to families and staff from both Grammar schools. Log on details to be confirmed. If you have specific questions, please send them to headmaster@brisbanegrammar.com by 12.00pm tomorrow. The webinar will follow the below format:

• 7.30pm: Introduction from BGS Headmaster Anthony Micallef, BGGS Principal Jacinda Euler, and Queensland Health representatives.
• 7.35pm: Discussion answering questions submitted in advance
• 8.00pm: Q&A responding to questions that have been submitted during the webinar
• 8.10pm: Concluding comments and what’s next. An FAQ will be compiled and sent to all BGS and BGGS families.
• 8.15pm: End webinar

COVID TESTING SITES – Wednesday 11 August

 The majority of people in the BGGS and BGS communities are currently in home-based quarantine, which is due to end at 11.59pm this Friday 13 August. Some households may have been directly instructed by Queensland Health that their particular quarantine period ends at a later time due to circumstances applicable to that household.

To exit quarantine, Queensland Health requires all close contacts to return two negative COVID-19 test results, with the second test to be performed strictly on Day 12 of your quarantine period (the first test should have been performed early last week). Queensland Health also recommends secondary contacts (household members of close contacts) undergo Day 12 testing. To understand whether you are a close or secondary contact, please read this Queensland Health letter. For households due to exit quarantine on Friday, their Day 12 is this Wednesday (11 August 2021).

In anticipation of significant demand for Day 12 testing, BGGS and BGS have collaborated to arrange the following options, which may be accessed by community members of both schools. You may also choose to use any other testing site that is more convenient to your household.

Drive-through Testing Site: RNA Showgrounds

This drive-through testing site will be operated by Sullivan Nicolaides in the main arena of the RNA Showgrounds at the following times:

• Wednesday 11 August from 8.00am to 7.00pm
• Thursday 12 August from 8.00am to 7.00pm
• Friday 13 August from 8.00am to 12.00pm

This testing site should be accessed via Gregory Terrace, approaching from Bowen Bridge Road (ie Gate 3, 600 Gregory Terrace).

Walk-in Testing Site: BGS Centenary Hall with overflow to BGGS Barbara Fielding Room

These walk-in testing sites will be operated by QML, primarily in the BGS Centenary Hall and also in the Barbara Fielding Room at BGGS if and when queues become excessive.  Any overflow will be managed by testing site personnel.  The number of testing stations within Centenary Hall will be increased for Wednesday.  The operating times for these sites are:

• Wednesday 11 August from 7.00am to 5.00pm
• Thursday 12 August from 8.00am to 3.00pm
• Friday 13 August from 8.00am to 3.00pm

* QML may extend the closing time depending on demand

The BGS staff car park on Oval No. 2 will be open and can be accessed via Kalinga Avenue (the lane between the two schools). When the car park is full, people will need to park on neighbouring streets.

Traffic controllers and SES volunteers will be onsite to help manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Registration Process

To expedite the testing process, each individual person using either testing site is requested to bring a completed and printed copy of the applicable attached pathology request form. The form may be completed electronically (form-fillable PDF) before printing, or it may be completed by hand. If you are unable to print the form at home, hard copies of the form will be made available for completion by hand at the testing sites and we recommend that you bring a pen.

Please use the corresponding pathology request form for the applicable sites, as follows:

• RNA Showgrounds registration from – Sullivan Nicolaides
• BGS Centenary Hall with Overflow to BGGS Barbara Fielding Room – QML

* The QML form indicates a closing date of 11 August 2021 which may be ignored

Masks and Social Distancing

All persons attending our testing sites (drive-through and walk-in) must wear masks at all times, except when being tested. Households who queue for the walk-in testing site must socially distance from other household groups.

We sincerely thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience as we manage the Day 12 testing process for our school communities.

Please be particularly respectful to all personnel – who are working or volunteering in trying circumstances – operating the testing sites.

VACCINATIONS

All school staff (including volunteers) have been prioritised in the 1B vaccination category. We understand that staff who have previously registered will not be automatically flagged as 1B and should therefore re-register to be prioritised. Re-registering requires the use of an email address that is different to that already registered in the vaccination queue. Register to be vaccinated here.

RETURN TO CAMPUS AND MASKS

We have commenced preparing the campus and introducing heightened protocols to optimise the COVID safe operation of BGS. Details about these arrangements will be provided soon. All students (Years 5 to 12) will be required to wear a mask when they return to campus. Please see the below information from the Queensland Government about wearing masks:

• How to wear a mask
• Will a face mask protect me from COVID-19?

BOARDING

As we prepare for the return to classroom-based learning, BGS Boarding is well-advanced in its planning for the ongoing operation of the residential community with increased student numbers. As we finalise details of the operation of boarding, and the requirements for boarders and boarding staff with the Metro North Public Health Unit, we will continue to liaise directly with the wider boarding community.

 

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

The South East Queensland lockdown ended at 4.00pm today; however, the Brisbane Grammar School community continues its 14-day strict home-based quarantine.

We are not aware of any additional COVID cases in our community since our most recent communication. Our thoughts are with the individuals and their families who are presently dealing with the virus.

Queensland Health requires two negative tests for any BGS community member to return to campus from Monday 16 August (including staff, students, parents and volunteers). The second COVID test from Wednesday 11 August is compulsory, with a negative result required to exit quarantine. The exit time from quarantine for most community members is after 11.59pm on Friday 13 August. However, some of you may have been directly advised by Queensland Health to exit quarantine at a later date due to circumstances in your household.

BGS classes will be suspended on Wednesday 11 August so that families and BGS staff can get tested.

I will provide more information prior to Wednesday about additional COVID testing options for our community, which will continue to include Centenary Hall at BGS. We are collaborating with Brisbane Girls Grammar School in this regard.

The BGS and BGGS communities will have the opportunity to have their questions answered as part of a webinar this Tuesday evening, which has been arranged by Ms Jacinda Euler and me, and will be facilitated by Queensland Health. If you have specific questions, please send them to headmaster@brisbanegrammar.com by 12.00pm on Tuesday 10 August.

We are pleased that the Premier announced today that all school staff (including volunteers) have been prioritised in the 1B vaccination category.

We have commenced preparing the campus and introducing heightened protocols to optimise the COVID safe operation of BGS. Details about these arrangements will be provided soon.

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

The strength of a community is shown in challenging times, and I commend our students, parents and staff for your efforts and resilience this week.

At this stage, 14 BGS community members have tested positive to COVID-19, including boys, teachers and parents. Our thoughts are with the individuals and their families. This is an emotionally, physically and psychologically challenging period for these families and support from the community is vital. I am sure that all in our community have had to deal with an incredibly stressful past week, with little certainty amid changing freedoms.

The support we show each other currently demonstrates the real strength of the BGS community. I have seen the messages of support on social media, questions being asked and answered, and information shared. I encourage you to read my article about the strength of our community in the BGS Newsletter published today.

Next week, I will share information about the process for exiting quarantine and the steps we are taking to prepare the School for a safe and smooth transition back to classroom-based education.

Click here to view COVID-19 information for parents, students, and the broader community provided by the Department of Education.

We will continue to send regular email communications, with this information also available on the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Please take care of yourself and your family over the coming week, and do not hesitate to ask for any assistance.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Staff,

The update below aims to clarify and summarise some of the key messages from the past few days. Please read carefully.

COVID Cases

At this stage, the COVID cases for the BGS community is now eight students, two teachers and two parents.

Quarantine and Testing

• Click here to view the contact tracing (exposure sites) for COVID-19 (in Queensland) and the relevant Queensland Health directives for those impacted. If affected, you must get a COVID test immediately if you haven’t already.
• Click here to find your nearest COVID testing centre.
• BGS community members quarantining must stay in their homes until 11.59pm on Friday 13 August – irrespective of exposure dates. You may not leave home during quarantine except for testing and medical purposes.
• You must continue to quarantine even after receiving a negative COVID test result prior to the end of the defined isolation period.
• A further COVID test on Wednesday 11 August is compulsory, with a negative result required to exit quarantine after 11.59pm on Friday 13 August.
• Classes will be suspended on Wednesday 11 August so that families and BGS staff can get tested.
• All students, staff, parents, visitors (and others who live in their homes) who visited the relevant exposure sites must follow the Queensland Health quarantine directive.
• The COVID testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS remains in operation including on Wednesday 11 August. You must wear a mask when visiting this clinic.

All BGS communications are accessible on the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Over the past 24 hours, Queensland Health has been investigating whether multiple BGS students who tested positive for COVID-19 attended school-related events held between 29 July to 31 July 2021. The students were not aware they were infectious at the time.

Late yesterday the School was asked to supply information about:

• A rugby training session at BGS on 29 July between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. The training session was attended by Year 7 students.
• A gymnastics training session in the BGS Indoor Sports Centre on 30 July between 3.15pm and 6.20pm.
• A rugby match on 31 July (BGS 12B v Gregory Terrace 12D Team) at Churchie. The student then watched the next game between Gregory Terrace and BGS.

Queensland Health advises that all players, coaches and family members who may have been at these events are now considered close contacts and must quarantine at home for 14 days. Household members of staff, students and visitors are secondary contacts (contacts of close contacts) and must also quarantine at home for 14 days.

In the situation of Brisbane Grammar School, the quarantine period for the School community and any visitors to the School finishes at 11.59pm on Friday 13 August 2021 – irrespective of exposure dates.

The School will continue to publish information that is confirmed by Queensland Health and will continue to assist Queensland Health with its comprehensive contact testing process.

Please click here to see the latest letter from Queensland Health to BGS received last night.

I can this morning confirm there are now eight students, two teachers and one parent who have returned a positive COVID-19 test. Our thoughts are with those families during this stressful period.

All BGS communications are accessible on the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Thank you for your support.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

This scenario continues to evolve and I will continue to provide information when available.

Please carefully read through the important information below.

Change to Exposure Days at BGS

Queensland Health has determined that a previously identified COVID case at BGS was infectious during the entire school week beginning Monday 26 July.

Queensland Health has requested that we provide details of staff, students, visitors, and cocurricular activity lists for the dates 26 to 30 July. The School is currently compiling these lists. This development may impact some of our families who have been in lockdown and not in quarantine, particularly families of Year 6 students, who had previously been exempt from quarantine because they were in Cairns. They will now need to quarantine and be tested.

COVID Cases

At this stage, the COVID cases for the BGS community is now six students, two teachers and one parent.

Quarantine and Testing Update

Queensland Health requires the BGS community members quarantining to be tested again on Wednesday 11 August. Classes will be suspended on that day, so that staff and students can get the required COVID exit test. The COVID testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS will be in operation primarily for the BGS community on Wednesday 11 August.

Home-based Learning Parent Handbook

An updated version of the Home-based Learning Parent Handbook with FAQs is available here for parents.

Assessment

The assessment schedule for all year levels has been reviewed and changes made. These changes are now visible in students’ calendars.

The Year 12 Assessment Schedule has been updated. The revised submission and examination dates are available for students and parents via MyGrammar – Academic – Assessment. It is important that students continue to study and work each day towards meeting the new assessment dates. Teachers will continue to provide advice on student progress and update any relevant checkpoints. The School is in regular contact with the QCAA to ensure that no BGS students are disadvantaged throughout this time.

Student Wellbeing

The BGS Performance Development team launched GrammarFit 2.0 this morning (Wednesday 4 August) morning. New content will be available for students each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, via the Cocurricular Teams channel, throughout the quarantine period. GrammarFit was developed in 2020 as an innovative way to keeps boys, staff, parents and siblings active during the home-based learning period. The 2020 sessions proved popular, with the 27 initial episodes gaining over 4000 views. The program prompted a 7% increase in physical activity compared to normal.

Students are also encouraged to access GrammarWell, our online wellbeing portal. The platform was launched by the Student Wellbeing Team in 2020 to help students cope with isolation. It remains a well-used resource, with tips, guides and mindfulness programs under themes of mental fitness, peak performance, learning optimisation, positive choices, respectful relationships, public purpose, connecting with community and student wellbeing.

On behalf of BGS staff, I want to express my gratitude to the community for the incredible support. We miss our students and will continue to support them for as long as required.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Queensland Health has today confirmed more Brisbane Grammar School community members have tested positive for COVID-19. BGS now has seven confirmed COVID cases – five students, one teacher and one parent. This development does not change the Government directives already in place, which have been previously communicated to you.

BGS has also been notified of a confirmed COVID-19 case in a person who attended a debating event at St Peters Lutheran College between 7.20pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 29 July. The specific details of that matter are outlined at the contact tracing link.

I would like to commend the community for following the Queensland Health directives that Brisbane Grammar School has shared in recent days.

It is important to understand that BGS must adhere to Queensland Health directives and Queensland Government privacy laws. Under those laws, we are not permitted to share the names of community members who may have tested positive for COVID-19 and Queensland Health is prohibited from disclosing that information to the School.

Queensland Health, QML and SES have been very supportive during this difficult period. I will continue to share all relevant information received from Queensland Health with the BGS community as quickly as possible.

The latest Queensland Health directives are accessible on the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Please read the latest updates from key areas of the School outlined below:
 

COCURRICULAR

An update from the GPS Association of Queensland is available here.

The BGS Performance Development team is ready to launch GrammarFit 2.0 tomorrow (Wednesday 4 August) morning. New content will be available each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, via the Cocurricular Teams channel, throughout the quarantine period. More information will be shared with students directly.
 

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Timetable

The regular timetable will continue to operate for this week and next. There are eight days of lessons to work through and this will keep our students on track and the timetable cycles in sync for the return to campus.

The alternate online learning timetable with longer lessons and afternoon Consolidation & Preparation sessions is designed for periods of home-based learning of one month’s duration or longer.

We know from last year that learning online is slower than in the classroom, particularly with transitions between activities and lessons. Teachers will finish Periods 1, 3 and 5 about 3-5 minutes before the scheduled end of lesson. This will allow for setup for the next lesson and students to virtually ‘move’ to their next class.

Assessment

 Year 12

The School is in daily contact with the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) which is supporting us with adjustments to dates for Internal Assessments (IA) and any Access Arrangements & Reasonable Adjustments processes. Importantly, the QCAA has provided the reassurance that no BGS student will be disadvantaged.

• Students should continue to maintain a good routine of study each day and stay in contact with their teachers and classes.
• Students should refer to Canvas, Teams and One Note for updates and resources.
• Students must continue to prepare for any upcoming assessment items.
• IA3 submission dates for assignment and performance tasks will be extended.
• IA3 examinations will be rescheduled to dates later in the term.
• A revised assessment schedule will be published later this week.

Years 5 to 11

• Students should continue to maintain a good routine of study each day and stay in contact with their teachers and classes.
• Students should refer to Canvas, Teams and OneNote for updates and resources.
• Students must continue to prepare for any upcoming assessment items.
• Some assessment might be adjusted to better accommodate home-based learning and allow students to show their learning progress.
• Dates for some assignment-based assessment will be extended as required.
• Some examination dates will be rescheduled but exams will go ahead.
• A revised assessment schedule will be published later this week.

Thank you for your support and understanding. I will continue to keep you updated via email and the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Please continue to support members of our community, particularly those families who are not only disrupted by the quarantine but also confronted with a family member who has contracted this virus.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Queensland Health has tonight confirmed two further Brisbane Grammar School students have tested positive for COVID-19. BGS now has four confirmed COVID cases – three students and one parent. This development does not change the directives already in place, which have been communicated previously by the School.

______________________________________________________

Note, the following information has been explained in previous communications. The only new information is the first paragraph above.

Queensland Health directives:

1. Immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.
2. Get tested at your earliest opportunity.
3. Complete the contact tracing form online. If you are unable to complete the contact tracing form please call 134 COVID (134 268).
4. Continue to quarantine even after receiving a negative result. After you complete the contact tracing form you will be contacted by Queensland Health.
5. Continue to monitor for symptoms, if you become symptomatic get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
6. As you are a close contact, you are required to quarantine for 14 days from the time you were at the venue.

The above information was taken from the Queensland Government contact tracing website here.

• Note, the quarantine directive applies to all household occupants – not just those who visited campus.

• A COVID testing clinic has been established in the BGS Centenary Hall operating from 8.00am to 3.00pm. The clinic will remain in operation until everyone in our community, who wants to be tested, has done so during the immediate future. You should complete an online registration form here and bring that to the clinic at BGS. Limited parking will be available via the temporary BGS staff car park on No.2 Oval accessible via Kalinga Avenue, which runs between Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Please proceed to the front of Centenary Hall and follow the instructions from SES and QML staff. You must wear a mask at all times. Note: members of the BGS community are encouraged to get tested at a location convenient to them.

• Persons visiting the testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS are not permitted to access other areas of the School. Wearing a mask is mandatory. The School will undergo a rigorous deep cleaning program in accordance with directives from the Public Health Unit.

Brisbane Grammar School will suspend classes tomorrow (Tuesday 3 August) to allow the BGS community to undertake COVID-19 testing as per Queensland Health requirements.

Today (Monday 2 August), provided an opportunity for staff and students to reacclimatise to home-based learning, which will fully resume on Wednesday 4 August.

We understand the anxiety around student assessment and will provide information in the coming days.

I encourage students to access GrammarWell, our digital student wellbeing platform, which remains active and updated.

We will soon launch GrammarFit 2.0 to keep the students and the community engaged physically.

Thank you for your support and understanding. I will continue to keep you updated via email and the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

The COVID testing clinic operating in Centenary Hall at BGS will be open from 8.00am to 3.00pm tomorrow. A reminder that the clinic will remain in operation until everyone in our community, who wants to be tested, has done so during the immediate future. You should complete the online registration form here and bring it to the clinic at BGS.

Limited parking will be available via the temporary BGS staff car park on No.2 Oval accessible via Kalinga Avenue, which runs between Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

Please proceed to the front of Centenary Hall and follow the instructions from SES and QML staff. You must wear a mask at all times. Persons visiting the testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS are not permitted to access other areas of the School. Members of the BGS community are encouraged to get tested at a location convenient to them.

Please see the update directly below for more detailed information.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Brisbane Grammar School will suspend classes tomorrow (Tuesday 3 August) to allow the BGS community to undertake COVID-19 testing as per Queensland Health requirements.

This is a reminder that a COVID testing clinic is now in operation in the BGS Centenary Hall – more information below.

Today (Monday 2 August), provides an opportunity for staff and students to reacclimatise to home-based learning, which will fully resume on Wednesday 4 August. We appreciate your understanding in these challenging times as we rely on directives from Queensland Health and plan the best approach for the coming days and weeks.

We understand the anxiety around student assessment and will provide information in the coming days.

I encourage students to access GrammarWell, our digital student wellbeing platform, which remains active and updated.

We will soon launch GrammarFit 2.0 to keep the students and the community engaged physically.

Please see the below important reminders and updates from my email last night.

Queensland Health directives:

1. Immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.
2. Get tested at your earliest opportunity.
3. Complete the contact tracing form online. If you are unable to complete the contact tracing form please call 134 COVID (134 268).
4. Continue to quarantine even after receiving a negative result. After you complete the contact tracing form you will be contacted by Queensland Health.
5. Continue to monitor for symptoms, if you become symptomatic get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
6. As you are a close contact, you are required to quarantine for 14 days from the time you were at the venue.

The above information was taken from the Queensland Government contact tracing website here.

• Note, the quarantine directive applies to all household occupants – not just those who visited campus.

• A COVID testing clinic has been established in the BGS Centenary Hall operating from 9.00am to 3.00pm. The clinic will remain in operation until everyone in our community, who wants to be tested, has done so during the immediate future. You should complete an online registration form here and bring that to the clinic at BGS. Please proceed to the front of Centenary Hall and follow the instructions from SES and QML staff. You must wear a mask at all times. Note: members of the BGS community are encouraged to get tested at a location convenient to them.

• Persons visiting the testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS are not permitted to access other areas of the School. Wearing a mask is mandatory. The School will undergo a rigorous deep cleaning program in accordance with directives from the Public Health Unit.

Thank you for your support and understanding. I will continue to keep you updated via email and the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

After a number of lengthy conversations with Brisbane Grammar School throughout the day, Queensland Health has directed BGS to quarantine (close) for 14 days. At 6.00pm today, Queensland Health confirmed the below directives for BGS. This communication was received at 6.14pm.

The Queensland Public Health Unit has provided the below directives that apply to anyone who visited the Brisbane Grammar School Spring Hill campus or were involved in any cocurricular sport or activity on the Spring Hill campus on Thursday 29 July and Friday 30 July.

1. Immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine.
2. Get tested at your earliest opportunity.
3. Complete the contact tracing form online. If you are unable to complete the contact tracing form please call 134 COVID (134 268).
4. Continue to quarantine even after receiving a negative result. After you complete the contact tracing form you will be contacted by Queensland Health.
5. Continue to monitor for symptoms, if you become symptomatic get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
6. As you are a close contact, you are required to quarantine for 14 days from the time you were at the venue.

The above information was taken from the Queensland Government contact tracing website here.

Note, the quarantine directive applies to all household occupants – not just those who visited campus.

Please read the following important updates:

• A COVID testing clinic will be established on the BGS Spring Hill campus tomorrow and operate from 9.00am to 3.00pm. The clinic will remain in operation until everyone in our community, who wants to be tested, has done so during the immediate future. You should complete an online registration form here and bring that to the clinic at BGS. Please proceed to the front of Centenary Hall and follow the instructions from QML staff. You must wear a mask at all times. Note: members of the BGS community are encouraged to get tested at a location convenient to them.

• Persons visiting the testing clinic in Centenary Hall at BGS are not permitted to access other areas of the School. Wearing a mask is mandatory. The School will undergo a rigorous deep cleaning program.

• The BGS boarding students who remained at school have been tested today (Sunday 1 August).

• Home-based learning will operate from tomorrow (Monday 2 August) until at least Friday 13 August. The regular timetable will operate and period by period roll marking will occur. All students are expected to attend their classes on Teams. Any student who cannot attend classes virtually should follow the usual procedure for absences. Note: Consolidation and Preparation lessons will not be supervised by teachers during home-based learning. Students will be required to operate independently and use the lesson to revise work or prepare for subsequent lessons. Information regarding student assessment will be provided in coming days.

• Parents and students will receive a further communication tomorrow regarding home-based learning and assessment.

• BGS Supervision (Years 5 and 6) will not operate during the school quarantine.

• All events and activities for the next 14 days are cancelled or postponed – more information about specific events and activities will be provided in due course.

• All cocurricular events, training and rehearsals for the next 14 days have also been cancelled or postponed.

I reiterate my appreciation of your support during these challenging times and will continue to keep you updated via email and the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

 

Dear BGS Community,

The Queensland Public Health Unit has tonight confirmed that a Brisbane Grammar School student has tested positive for COVID-19. I ask parents to share this update with their son/s.

I have been advised to notify the community that those who were on the BGS Spring Hill campus on 28, 29 and 30 July (Wednesday to Friday) should isolate at home until further advice is provided by Queensland Health.

As you know, South East Queensland is already in lockdown until at least 4.00pm on Tuesday 3 August 2021. No staff or students, other than those who are the children of essential service workers, and key personnel, are permitted on campus.

The Public Health Unit is assessing the extent of this case and they will provide the School with further instructions tomorrow.

Specific information for our boarding community will be provided in an email from the Director of Boarding.

If you or your child is unwell, Queensland Health urges you to call your doctor or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and get tested.

We appreciate your support during these challenging times and will continue to keep you updated via email and the COVID-19 Advice page on the BGS website.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

The Queensland Government has announced South East Queensland will begin a three-day lockdown from 4.00pm today (Saturday 31 July) due to community transmission of COVID-19. The lockdown is scheduled to end at 4.00pm on Tuesday 3 August but may be extended.

Please note the following important information:

• BGS will be closed to staff and students on Monday and Tuesday except to students of essential workers. Children of essential workers should report to The Lilley Centre on Monday morning where they will be supervised by Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members. Masks are mandatory for the students of essential workers who attend school on Monday or Tuesday. Students who use public transport to attend school must continue to wear a mask.
• BGS Boarding will continue to operate but only for boarders who cannot be safely transported home or to their guardians prior to the lockdown beginning today. Masks are mandatory for staff and students who remain in boarding. A more detailed email will be sent to BGS Boarding families shortly.
• Home-based learning will operate on Monday and Tuesday. The regular timetable will operate and period by period roll marking will occur. All students are expected to attend their classes on Teams. Any student who cannot attend classes virtually should follow the usual procedure for absences. Note: Consolidation and Preparation lessons will not be supervised by teachers. Students will be required to operate independently and to use the lesson to revise work or prepare for subsequent lessons.
• Students who do not have their device/tablet can collect them between 1.30pm and 3.00pm today, or Monday morning between 7.00am and 8.30am. Please bring your BGS ID with you to campus. Security of the BGS campus will operate 24/7.
• BGS Supervision (Years 5 and 6) will not operate during the lockdown period. Middle School libraries will not be open before or after school.
• All events or activities on Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled or postponed. This includes the Extended Day Study Program (cancelled) and Year 10 Subject Selection evening (postponed). Outdoor Education for 9H has been rescheduled to Wednesday 4 August, at this stage.
• All GPS sports and activities were cancelled as of 10.30am today. All cocurricular events, training and rehearsals for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday have been postponed.

The School will continue to update the community as required.

Regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

Dear BGS Community,

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Greater Brisbane will go into a three-day lockdown from 5.00pm today (Monday 29 March) due to community transmission of COVID-19. All Queensland schools will close from tomorrow (Tuesday 30 March).

Students whose parents are in essential services may attend school.

Click here for the latest updates from the Queensland Government, including the nearest testing centres and tracing alerts.

Please read on below to learn about how the closure will impact the different areas of Brisbane Grammar School.

Student Wellbeing

Students are expected to attend Tutor Group via the Teams meeting scheduled by their Form Tutor from 8.20am to 8.30am each morning. If boys are not present at this time, an SMS will be sent home as per our usual absence procedures. Boys are not expected to be in school uniform at this time.

Academic

Students are particularly busy with assessment in the final week of term. The following reassurances about academic continuity are important for everyone to understand:

• Tonight’s Year 12 Parent Tertiary Information Sessions will be rescheduled to a date to be announced early in Term 2.
• Exams will be rescheduled to suitable dates in Term 2 and students should continue with their revision.
• Over the next three days, students will continue to work on assignments and will be advised of adjusted submission dates.
• All subjects will make study materials and activities available in Teams and OneNote for students to work on.
• Learning will continue remotely, and teachers will respond to student ‘check-ins’ and questions via Teams at agreed times during the day.
• There will not be scheduled online lessons, but continuing work will be set for every subject.

Cocurricular

From 3.00pm today, all Cocurricular training, rehearsals and trial fixtures scheduled for this afternoon and the rest of this week have been cancelled. All Cocurricular events scheduled for this week have been postponed – this includes the Sailing function.

The viability of planned Cocurricular holiday activities, including camps, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, remaining consistent with the directives from Queensland Health. More information will be provided in due course.

Cocurricular program leaders will provide updates on their activities via the Cocurricular pages on MyGrammar.

Middle School

• BGS Libraries will close at 3.00pm today. BGS Supervision for Years 5 and 6 students will close at 4.00pm.
• Years 5 to 7 Parent-Teacher Interviews: Parent-Teacher interviews scheduled this week will be postponed to Term 2. Information regarding the new dates will be communicated early next term.
• Years 5 and 6 students will be permitted to take their school laptop home today.

Boarding

BGS Boarding will be required to cease operations once all our boarders can be safely transported home or to their guardians.

BGS Boarding would be grateful if parents or nominated guardians could make arrangements to collect boy(s) at the end of the school day today.

If parents or nominated guardians are unable to collect boy(s) today, BGS will remain open until suitable arrangements can be made. Please communicate your intended action to Boarding staff.

Contact with Mr Byron or with Mr Power can be made as follows:

• Mr Byron: Harlin House - boarding.harlin@brisbanegrammar.com
• Mr Power: Griffith House – boarding.griffith@brisbanegrammar.com

Should you have any questions, please contact Director of Boarding Berian Williams-Jones via email at berian.williamsjones@brisbanegrammar.com.

General

Children of essential workers may continue to attend school for the remainder of Term 1. Students attending school will need to wear a face mask, per Queensland Health guidelines. Please congregate at The Lilley Centre each morning at 8.00am. Please note, any students on campus will need to bring their own food as the Tuckshop will be closed.

Further advice will be communicated to families as required.

Regards,
Anthony Micallef

If you would like up-to-date information about COVID-19, please visit the Que​ensland Health website.

People cannot attend any BGS site if in the last 14 days they:

• have been overseas
• have been in a COVID-19 hotspot
• have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
• have COVID-19 or any symptoms, no matter how mild

BGS has increased its health and hygiene practices to amplify infection control, through:

• targeted cleaning in public and shared spaces, with a focus on hard surfaces;
• additional hand sanitiser units; and
• communication campaigns to raise awareness of healthy hygiene habits.

The School has purchased a mechanical fogging machine to sanitise student social spaces, lockers, and other larger areas.

To minimise the risk of spreading infection, we request all persons at our sites to adopt the following practices:

• social distancing measures have been put in place;
• any member of the community exhibiting flu-like symptoms instructed to seek medical advice;
• regularly clean hands with soap or alcohol-based hand rubs;
• cover nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing; and
• avoid contact with anyone who has fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, or laboured breathing.

Persons affected by self-isolation can return to BGS after 14 days isolation and without presenting any symptoms of the virus.

The BGS Health Centre (07 3834 5222) and your local GP can provide guidance if required. Below are some key contacts to note:

• Queensland Health advice and information
• Metro North Public Health Unit (07 3624 1111)
• 24/7 National Coronavirus Health Information Line (1800 020 080)
• 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)