A Smooth and Gradual Re-Opening of Our Campus
On Tuesday 8th March 2022, after three weeks of online learning, it was with a great sense of relief and excitement that Dulwich International High School Suzhou began a gradual, step by step reopening. Originally, the plan was to open the campus on Monday 7th, but after further instructions from the Education Bureau, we were advised that the household members of all our students must produce negative COVID test reports before they could attend campus. This delayed the re-opening of our campus by one day, while the necessary evidence was collated.
When our students arrived at school, they all had to show a green QR code, travel code with Suzhou as the only city with a “*”, evidence of negative covid tests, and check their temperature, before they were allowed onto campus.
On the first day of opening, only Year 13 Students were allowed back into school. On Wednesday, we welcomed back Year 12 students to campus, and on Thursday we were delighted to be joined by Year 11’s and IG1 Students. Subject to no further COVID cases being found, we fully anticipate that our Year 10’s will be joining us in person next week.
To open the campus again, we are required to follow a strict series of guidelines, which we now refer to in school as the COVID Protocols.
COVID Testing Everyday
One of the most remarkable things about the COVID Protocols is that they demand that all staff and students will be given a Covid test once a day, every day. This is of course an incredibly complex, labor-intensive logistical exercise to implement, that requires a great deal of self-discipline and determination from everyone involved.
Masks At All Times
Masks must be worn by everyone onsite (except when eating or drinking, or, for teaching staff, it is not necessary to wear a mask if they are alone in a classroom).
Stay On Site
Students and staff must stay on site until a COVID test has been completed each day.
No Food Deliveries
Students and staff cannot leave campus during the day and no food deliveries are allowed.
While it's wonderful to be back in school again, until all our students are with us on campus, we will continue to deliver lessons using a hybrid learning model, that combines the best of offline and online learning to the benefit of all students in the lesson, irrespective if they are physically in the classroom with their teacher or participating in lessons online. Only when the staged return of students finishes, and all our students are back in school, will we be able to switch back to a fully offline learning model.
We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all our staff and students for the positive approach they all took to online learning during recent weeks, which help to make online learning such a valuable experience. We also offer our profound gratitude for the support and co-operation that everyone at our school has shown in continuing to adhere to the COVID Protocols during this testing time.
