RIPPONLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL

COVID-19 Resources

COVID RESTRICTIONS ACROSS SCHOOLS

The Victorian Government has announced that additional COVIDSafe measures will be in place from 6pm on Tuesday 25 May, in metropolitan Melbourne.

 

Changes to the COVIDSafe settings include new limits to public and private gatherings and changes to mask wearing in some settings. 

 

Schools will remain open with the current restrictions that are in place. There are no changes to existing density rules. 

 

If you are in metropolitan Melbourne:

  • School staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older must carry a face mask at all times and wear a face mask indoors when at school, including when attending an Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program, unless a lawful exception applies.
  • Children under 12 years of age and students at primary school are not required to wear face masks when at school, or when attending an OSHC program.
  • Face masks are mandatory for all school staff and school students aged 12 or older on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles. This includes travelling to and from school on public transport or in a vehicle with others not from your household.
  • Teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so, can.

If you are in Regional Victoria:

  • Individuals aged 12 years and over (inclusive of staff, students, and visitors) must always carry a face mask – unless a lawful exception applies.
  • Face masks are mandatory for people aged 12 years and older on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles or touring vehicles. This includes travelling to and from school on public transport.

Visitors and parents continue to be welcome at our school but must also observe face mask requirements.  

 

These restrictions travel with secondary students who live in metropolitan Melbourne if they attend a school in regional Victoria. Secondary students who live in regional Victoria but attend a school in metropolitan Melbourne also need to comply with mask requirements for metropolitan Melbourne.

 

School camps and excursions in both metropolitan and regional Victoria can continue if face mask requirements are followed.

 

These measures are aimed at giving health authorities the best opportunity to stop the spread of the virus in our community. 

 

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to implement COVIDSafe practices at our school. 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING RESOURCES 

COVID-19

Information that might be of assistance to you in talking to your child about COVID-19 is available. If you are concerned about your wellbeing or that of your child, please contact the school so we can talk with you about how we can best assist. Other sources of support include: Parent Line 13 22 89 and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800. 

 

The Department COVID-19 helpline is also available on Monday 15 February and weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm on 1800 338 663. If you know a family who speak a language or languages other than English and you know they would like further information, interpreting services are available by phoning 131 450 first. 

 

For families with a child with a disability, the Association for Children with a Disability (ACD) has additional information.  

RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING AT HOME

The Department has a range of options for you to continue to support your child in their learning, available at the Learning from Home webpage. 

 

A web page with Learning from Home tips is available at: Support your child’s learning and this is available in more than 30 languages on Translated advice about learning from home. 

 

And, finally, a reminder that if you, your child, or a family member develops symptoms of COVID-19 you should get tested at a COVID-19 testing facility and stay home.

 

Further information is available from the Department of Health on primary close contacts, secondary close contacts, quarantine periods and more. See dhhs.vic.gov.au/how-stay-safe-and-well-covid-19.