An open window for student health
Good ventilation is one of the prime factors in keeping COVID-safe classrooms and meeting standards for fresh air changes and indoor carbon dioxide levels .
While keeping windows open “ in all possible circumstances ” is “ the best way ” recommended by the NSW Department of Education , much debate has arisen regarding hospital grade air purifiers – HEPA filters ( high efficiency particulate air filters ).
The State Government invested a further $ 100 million into its indoor air quality insurance program as schools reopened last month .
The State Government invested a further $ 100 million into its indoor air quality insurance program as schools reopened last month .
Maintenance teams audited public schools , the results confirmed the majority of spaces in schools can be adequately ventilated through natural and mechanically assisted ventilation .
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this work was an extension of the government ’ s commitment to keeping the community safe throughout the pandemic
“ As the community has adapted to living with COVID , so have our schools , and our approach to keeping them safe using a multi-layered approach that includes vaccines , on-site restrictions , mask-wearing , cleaning and ventilation ,” Mr Perrottet said .
“ The funding supports ongoing improvements to air quality in public schools , making schools some of the best ventilated spaces in the community .”
The program has several components , including installing automatic fresh air ventilation systems in smaller learning spaces to allow schools to utilise the areas fully .
Funding will also be directed towards replacing windows , ceiling and exhaust fans , and additional servicing of ventilation systems .
In addition , air purifiers have been sourced and will be provided to schools when individual school circumstances require the department to respond to poor outdoor air quality .
Minister for Education , Sarah Mitchell said principals know exactly how to use
Ventilation , including the use of air purifiers , continues to be a topic of discussion surrounding student safety indoors .
their spaces in a COVID-safe way thanks to the individual ventilation audit reports .
“ The advice from experts is that maximising natural ventilation is the most effective method of minimising the spread of COVID-19 and our classroom ventilation strategy supports our implementation of this advice .
“ What this program does is leverage the insights from our comprehensive audit and expert advice to future-proof our learning spaces not just for COVID-19 , but for bushfires and other air quality issues .”
The state-wide review of all windows , fans and ventilation systems was carried out in more than 150,000 spaces across more than 2200 public schools , including preschools . It checked :
• 650,000 + windows
• 200,000 + ceiling and wall fans
• 19,000 + extractor fans
Oakville Public School
Quality education in a caring environment
Welcome to Oakville Public School
• Welcoming community school
• Experienced , dedicated and caring staff
• Vibrant , well-resourced classrooms
• Innovative , inclusive and engaging teaching programs
• Opportunities to excel through extracurricular activities
• Supportive and active parent community
• Spacious , attractive school grounds
46 OGDEN ROAD , OAKVILLE Email : oakville-p . school @ det . nsw . edu . au Fax : ( 02 ) 4572 3822 Principal : Mr Sean Montgomery oakville-p . schools . nsw . gov . au
32 ISSUE 138 // NOVEMBER 2021 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT