Covid-19 Information

Latest Information

Face masks

It is strongly recommended by the Victorian Department of Health that face masks are worn in indoor settings, with face masks mandatory for those aged 8 and over who are household contacts and attending school. This is because the wearing of masks is effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

What does this mean in practice for schools?

It is the department’s expectation that, through to the end of winter, students aged 8 and over and staff will wear masks when in class, except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication or when a particular activity requires the removal of a mask. (Schools have been asked to communicate this expectation to the whole school community and seek their support for this collective effort).

Masks are not required to be worn outdoors but can be worn when physical distancing is not possible. This expectation should not constrain student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.

Exemptions for testing and isolation

The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks.

This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing and isolation requirements from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this exemption period was 12 weeks.

After the 4-week exemption period, students and staff members who are a household contact of a new COVID-19 case, must follow the rules for household contacts, including reporting this to their school.

As part of this they must take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results and wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces.

Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period. (Schools have been asked to ensure families and communities are aware of this change above re Exemptions for testing and isolation).

Rapid Antigen Tests will continue to be provided to families via students.

We encourage students and families to seek medical advice with respect to being vaccinated against Covid - 19; vaccination helps to protect families and our community.

We continue to follow Covid - 19 safety points at the College such as ventilation in classroom and work areas, the use of air purifiers and hand sanitiser.

Confirmed cases of Covid-19

If a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test), parents/carers should complete the form on the Department of Health system or via the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Students (or their parents/carers) must also report a positive result to the school, either through the VicEd COVID portal or by phone on 5945 1433 or written notification; this is to ensure the school can support the student, record that they will be absent while in 7 day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms.
Students who report a positive result must isolate for seven days and not attend school during that period.
Students are to refrain from returning to school if they remain symptomatic, unless it is known that their symptoms are caused by an underlying health condition or medication.

Household Contacts

Students who are household contacts of a positive case (that is, they have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility), are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors, unless they have a valid exemption.
If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.