20 Feb 2024
Why are Liverpool West Public School students going to be temporarily located at Gulyangarri Public School?
Liverpool West Public School was identified as a priority site for testing by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after its investigation revealed mulch from the same manufacturer that supplied mulch to the Rozelle Interchange and Transport Infrastructure sites had been used at the school.
While NSW Health advises the community that the risk to human health of bonded asbestos is low, the NSW Department of Education is exercising caution to ensure the health of staff and students.
The department continues to work with EPA officers and an accredited hygienist to ensure all garden mulch is removed from Liverpool West Public School and replaced with clean, unrecycled mulch. While this work is underway, staff and students will be accommodated at nearby Gulyangarri Public School to enable face-to-face learning to resume as soon as possible for Liverpool West students.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this situation, but the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are our top priority.
When will students start learning out of Gulyangarri Public School?
Liverpool West Public School students will be temporarily located at Gulyangarri Public School from Monday 19 February 2024.
What will the start and finish times be for Liverpool West Public School students?
The school start and finish times remain the same, 9:10pm - 3:10pm.
Getting to school
There is a kiss and drop, and on-street parking along Lachlan Street and Hart Street. Shuttle buses will be made available from Ireland Park, Liverpool every morning and afternoon. Morning shuttle buses will leave from Ireland Park from about 8:40am with the last shuttle leaving at 9:10am. Afternoon shuttle buses will arrive at Ireland Park by 3:20pm. Please ensure you are at Ireland park on time to pick-up you child/childred in the afternoon.
My child attends before and after school programs (OOSH or SLOOSH) will they be picked up and dropped off at Gulyangarri PS?
Students attending the OOSH program will be dropped off and picked up from Gulyangarri PS. Students attending SLOOSH program will be dropped off and picked up from Ireland Park by the SLOOSH provider.
I drive my child to school. Where should I drop them off?
There is a ‘kiss and drop’ zone on the internal road which can be accessed via Lachlan Street. All vehicles must use the ‘kiss and drop’ zone to pick up and drop off students. This zone operates as a no parking zone, which means you may stop to drop off or pick up children for a maximum of 2 minutes.
What happens if my child is sick during the day?
We will notify you if your child is unwell during the day and normal arrangements will be communicated to you regarding picking them up from Gulyangarri Public School.
How do I contact the school?
The school can be contacted directly at liverpoolw-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or call 02 8784 3500
Will Liverpool West PS students and Gulyangarri PS students and classes be integrated?
No, Liverpool West Public School and Gulyangarri Public School classes will remain separate. This will be maintained by providing Liverpool West Public School students and staff with separate classroom spaces and bell times for recess and lunch. . What should I do if I need to contact my child’s teacher?
Contact the school office to make an appointment on 02 8784 3500 or via ClassDojo messages.
Will my child have access to school counsellors?
Yes. The department and school have organised counsellors to support any student needing help. My child is supported by a School Learning Support Officer, will that continue?
All students supported by a School Learning Support Officer will continue to have the assistance of our outstanding team of SLSO’s.
What are the canteen arrangements?
Healthy Canteens will be operating from Gulyangarri PS canteen facilities, Parents and carers, can still use the App to order their child’s food as per usual.
How much integration will there be with Gulyangarri Public School students?
The two schools will function separately on the same site. The two schools will operate separate recess and lunch times.
Can my child undertake home learning during this time instead?
No. We know from the recent COVID Pandemic how important it is for students to be at school with their teachers and friends. We also understand that many parents must go to work and are not home to assist their children’s learning. Our outstanding teachers will be working hard to adjust their teaching programs to suit our temporary arrangements, they will not have sufficient time to develop learning-from-home resources.
If my child has any concerns, who should I talk to?
This has not changed. The first point of call for your child is their class teacher or another adult within their primary school. It will be explained to our students that our staff roles haven’t changed, we are here for them and provide the support needed.
How long will Liverpool West students be learning from Gulyangarri Public School?
As we continue to exercise an abundance of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our school communities, Liverpool West Public School will continue to operate out of Gulyangarri Public School until further notice.
Why is the mulch being investigated at Liverpool West Public School?
Liverpool West Public School was identified as a priority site for testing by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after its investigation revealed mulch from the same manufacturer that supplied mulch to the Rozelle Interchange and Transport Infrastructure sites had been used at the school.
Is all mulch at the school potentially contaminated?
A number of samples were gathered by the EPA on Saturday 10 February 2024 from recently completed landscaping. One sample contained one piece of bonded asbestos. All other samples were clear.
The department continues to work with EPA officers, NSW SafeWork and an accredited hygienist to ensure all garden mulch is removed from Liverpool West Public School and replaced with clean, unrecycled mulch.
What is bonded asbestos?
Asbestos was used widely in Australian building materials prior to 1990. Due to the age of many NSW public schools, asbestos-containing materials may be present.
If asbestos is bonded to a solid material such as concrete or vinyl and is non-friable (unable to be crushed under light pressure) it is considered a low health risk.
Why are Liverpool West students going to be learning out of Gulyangarri Public School?
While NSW Health advises the community that the risk to human health of bonded asbestos is low, the Department of Education is exercising an abundance of caution to ensure the health of staff and students.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this situation, but the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are our top priority.
What is happening with the mulch at Liverpool West Public School?
The site at Liverpool West Public School has been secured and the department is working with EPA officers, NSW SafeWork and an accredited independent hygienist to ensure all garden mulch is removed from the school and replaced with clean, unrecycled mulch.
EPA requirements and the department’s Asbestos Management Plan will continue to guide policy in this space to ensure the safety of school communities.
Is mulch at other schools potentially contaminated?
The EPA has legislative requirements of mulch suppliers to have risk management protocols in place to prevent mulch containing asbestos.
The department’s asbestos management plan requires imported fill to be certified to appropriate NSW EPA guidelines. The department has updated technical specifications within its Educational Facilities Standard Guidelines to reflect recycled mulch must not be used on school projects and operational schools.
Prior to the relocation decision being made mulch at Gulyangarri Public School was thoroughly inspected by an independent hygienist and no contamination was found. The mulch used at Gulyangarri Public School was provided by a different manufacturer to the manufacturer that supplied mulch at Liverpool West Public School.
When will Liverpool West Public School reopen?
As we continue to exercise an abundance of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our school communities, Liverpool West Public School will continue to operate out of Gulyangarri Public School until further notice.