COVID - 19 Update

Close Contact Information

Please contact the school office by phone or email immediately if

your child or someone they live with is a confirmed case
your child or anyone residing with them in your family is notified that they are a close contact or a casual contact

To support the safety of you, your family and our wider community, it is critical that everyone is aware of what we are required to do if we are identified as a close or casual contact.

The latest advice can be accessed from the NSW Health website.

A frequently asked questions fact sheet for school parents and carers is also available on the NSW Health website. Please refer to this information for the very latest advice.

4 November 2021

We have received updated advice regarding an easing of COVID-19 restrictions in schools from next week (Week 6, Term 4).

From Monday 8 November 2021, all NSW schools will operate at updated Level 3 settings for the rest of Term 4, with more activities allowed in a COVID-safe manner.

The information in this letter is a summary of the key changes. A document containing the detailed Level 3 restrictions will be shared with you as soon as it is made available to us.

Key changes from 8 November 2021 (Week 6, Term 4)

From this Monday 8 November 2021, until the end of Term 4 2021, the following activities will be allowed in a COVID-safe manner and more detailed information about Term 4 activities will be communicated as soon as possible:

School Masses	Whole-school Masses can be celebrated at school if they are held outside, with the priest celebrating the Mass being fully vaccinated in accordance with the relevant Public Health Order. Grade cohorts can also attend Mass in their local parish church as long as no other parishioners are in attendance, with the priest celebrating the Mass being fully vaccinated.
Assemblies and presentations	Assemblies and presentations are allowed outdoors on site, with grade cohorts separated and physical distancing in place. Fully vaccinated visitors (including parents) are only allowed to attend if completing a specific role (such as presenting) and at the invitation of the school.
Community use of school facilities	Community use is allowed outside of school hours (including P&F meetings) with COVID-safe plans in place.
Dancing, bands, ensembles and classes	Dancing, bands, ensembles and classes will be allowed within grade cohorts. However, everyone must wear masks while playing instruments indoors. Other instruments that rely on breath or require a mask to be removed to be played, as well as singing and chanting, are not permitted in Term 4.
Excursions and incursions	Excursions are allowed outdoors (and indoors where sole use of the premises is available). Transportation to and from venues must maintain grade cohorts. Incursions are allowed indoors and outdoors where grade cohorts are kept separated.
Visitors supporting curriculum delivery, wellbeing programs and school operations	Fully vaccinated visitors (including parents and carers) are allowed on site to support curriculum delivery, wellbeing programs and school operations. These include programs such as reading support, canteens, uniform shops and gardening. Visitors must check-in using the CEDoW Quick Sign-in iPad and Service NSW QR code and show proof of vaccination on entry to the school site.
Graduations and formals	Year 12 graduations and formals remain on hold until Wednesday 1 December 2021, or after all HSC students have completed their exams. Graduations and formals are allowed within cohorts, either on school sites or at external venues – with COVID-safe plans in place and social distancing adhered to. For graduations and formals held on school sites, fully vaccinated parents and guests may attend at the discretion of the school if there is sufficient capacity in the venue based on COVID-safe capacity limits (square metre rules).
School sport	School sports are allowed, including inter-school sports outside of school hours. Schools can access pools (both indoor and outdoor) within cohorts and with COVID-safe measures in place to reduce mixing and mingling of cohorts.
Orientation and transition programs	Transitions and orientations are allowed in a COVID-safe way that minimises mingling between students.

Actions we can all take to keep our students, staff and school community safe

By continuing to support each other and following the required COVID-safe measures, we can prioritise student and staff wellness and minimise disruption to student learning.

Stay home if unwell	Do not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms.
Vaccinations required	All staff and adult visitors on the school site must be fully vaccinated.
Wear masks indoors	Masks are required indoors for all staff, adult visitors and students in Year 7 or above, and strongly recommended indoors for primary students. You can take your mask off when eating or exercising.
Always check in	All staff and visitors must check in using the CEDoW Quick Sign-in iPad and Service NSW QR code when attending a school site or gathering.
Physically distance	Maintain 1.5 metres physical distancing wherever practicable.
Maximise ventilation	Activities and events should be held outdoors where practicable. Indoor spaces will be well ventilated and as large as possible for the number of attendees.
Students will remain in specific cohorts	Students should avoid mingling with other year groups when moving around the school.
Maintain good hygiene and cleaning	Students and staff should wash hands regularly. Schools will continue enhanced cleaning, including high touch points.

Further updates

As mentioned above, this information provides a summary of key changes. Updated Level 3 restrictions with full details will be shared with you as soon as it is available to us.

The changes outlined above will apply for the remainder of Term 4, 2021. We can look forward to more freedoms when schools return in 2022. These will be communicated as soon as details are available.

As always, we will continue to provide updates to keep you informed. If you would like to raise any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Jen Charadia

Principal

St Joseph's continues to maintain a COVID-safe environment, with a range of health and safety measures remaining in place, including increased daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and hygiene measures.

It is important that we continue to work together and remain vigilant in our response to this virus. Your ongoing support has been very much appreciated. The safety of our community remains a priority.

The complete list of directives in place at all Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong schools is available at www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid-19.

Stay up to date with public health alerts https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates

COVID-19 Catholic Education Information Centre

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has a COVID-19 Information Centre on its website. It is the best place to find the latest information about CEDoW's systemic response to COVID-19.

We will continue to provide you with updates if the situation changes and as soon as new information becomes available.