COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

As a school we will continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.

Vaccinations

Students are strongly recommended to ensure they keep up-to-date with all recommended and available COVID-19 vaccinations as vaccinations are the best way to protect individuals, families and school communities from the severe effects of COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus.

Vaccination is no longer mandatory for visitors in any Victorian school, including specialist schools.

Rapid Antigen Testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students:

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.

Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.

Rapid Antigen Test are available for all Victorians from Council sites. People can get 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.

People with disability and their carers can get up to 4 free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

Further information can be obtained at Council Rapid Antigen Test Program.

Face Masks

Current advice from the Victorian government is available at Face masks.

Students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, and we will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.

Management of suspected cases of COVID-19

A ‘suspected’ case means a person who displays any COVID-19 symptoms who has not yet tested positive for COVID-19.

A student or visitor who is symptomatic will be recommended to undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents/Carers of students who are symptomatic will be asked to collect their child from school and to keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.

Management of confirmed cases at school

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive to COVID-19 report that result to their employer, school and household.

Where a student is identified as a positive case, the following steps should be taken:

Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test). Alternative, parents/carers can report this directly to the school by phoning us on 03 9401 2599 or notifying us via XUNO.
Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. During this time of absence, if students are well enough to do so, they will be able to access their learning and lesson plans via XUNO.

As always, if you have any questions or require any clarity around this, please do not hesitate in speaking with a member of our front office team.

Jared Williams

Acting College Principal

Wellbeing

Brotherhood of St Laurence