The Vice Principal’s Blog

Dear Parents and Carers,

Like all schools in London and the UK, Bacon’s College is following advice from the Department of Children Schools and Families and is well prepared to ensure the safety of all of its students by responding  quickly and decisively to any possible future events involving Swine Flu.

Our preparations include:

·      writing to every parent to let them know what preparations we are making and to provide advice about Swine Flu (see also the NHS Direct web site http://www.nh sdirect.nhs.uk/ or call NHS Direct.

·      seeking individual parent’s permission to allow their children to be sent home without prior contact, to ensure students can leave the site and travel home quickly. In this event a notice will be posted in the Announcements/News section of the web site to explain what is happening and students will be instructed to call their parents to let them know they are on the way home, and again when they have reached home safely.

Please note that we will avoid, whenever possible, closing the College during a school day. 

 ·      talking to all of our students about how to avoid passing on bugs by washing their hands thoroughly and dealing carefully with coughs or sneezes.

 ·      ensuring that we have every student’s up to date emergency contact details. 

·      providing an online notice board to get information to parents and students quickly and effectively (www.baconsctc.co.uk - click on Announcements/News). Any important announcements will be posted on the web site immediately so please check it regularly.

If you have any questions about Swine Flu then please read the advice posted on our website in the  ‘Announcements/News’ section or refer directly to NHS Direct for any medical advice.

Finally, in the event that you suspect that your child might be affected by Swine Flu please keep your child at home until you have sought medical advice, again in the first instance call NHS Direct.

I will be writing to you personally and you should receive my letter over the next few days.

Thank you for your support and assistance in this matter.

Tony Perry

Principal

Cover your cough 

·      when you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue;

·      throw away your tissue, into a proper bag or bin, as soon as you’ve used it.

·      Wash your hands

Wash your hands frequently:

On days when you are coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, frequently wash your hands often with soap and water; or, if you can’t use soap and water, use wipes or gels.

See more advice below at: “How to wash and dry your hands”.

Remember:

Washing your hands is the single best way that you can help stop spreading germs that cause illness with coughs and sneezes.

 How to wash and dry your hands with soap and water

 1            Wet your hands with warm water, then add soap.

 2            Rub in the soap, while you count to fifteen.  Make sure you rub the soap into:

·      the backs of your hands;

·      the backs of your fingers;

·      your finger-nails;

·      your finger-tips;

·      the skin between your fingers.

3            Rinse your hands under running water.

4            Dry your hands with a disposable paper towel or a hot-air blower.

[If you are wearing any rings or bracelets, remove them before washing your hands.  If you have any cuts or scratches, cover them with a clean dressing]

DfES & DH/ HPA, 2007.