Principal's Message
8 August, 2021
Dear parents and caregivers,
I am writing to provide an update on the current arrangements in relation to COVID-19.
Stay at home orders now apply to anyone who lives in or has visited the following areas from the below dates:
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
Greater Sydney including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas | Monday 21 June 2021 |
Newcastle and the Hunter including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Miswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton Local Government Areas | Saturday 31 July 2021 |
| Armidale and Guyra | Thursday 29 July 2021 |
A full list of the rules and restrictions can be found here. NSW Health advises that anyone who lives in or has visited these areas should be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and is urged to get tested immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received.
CURRENT ADVICE
Public Health orders
Venue of concern
NSW Health maintains a list of exposure sites and venues of concern. All staff and families should be checking this regularly. Anyone who attended a venue of concern and checked in using a QR code will receive a notification from NSW Health with a direction depending on the level of exposure. This direction may include: isolate for 14 days; isolate until a negative test is received; or to get tested without isolation. In the event that NSW Health directs a staff member or student to isolate, they are not permitted to attend school. If you have received a notification from NSW Health notifying anyone in your household to isolate, please notify your principal as soon as possible.
If you have visited a venue of concern and have not received advice, please contact NSW Health on 13 77 88.
Area of concern
The current Public Health Order states that people who have visited an area of concern may leave home:
- to go to work if: ○ you cannot reasonably work from home ○ the business is allowed to be open
- for education, if it is not possible to do it at home.
Therefore, staff and students in schools outside of Armidale and Guyra are permitted to attend school under the current stay at home orders. Each school will be impacted differently and principals will be working directly with the Catholic Schools Office to support the needs of our staff, students and school communities.
Operational matters
School operations - Schools outside of Armidale, Guyra, Walcha and Uralla
Under the current guidelines, schools outside of Armidale and Guyra are permitted to continue to operate under level 2 restrictions. Staff and students are expected to be at school unless they have approved leave.
We are aware that many schools will have staff and students who have visited Armidale or Guyra during the stated timelines. We are requesting that any staff member or student that has been in these areas obtain a negative COVID test before returning to school. If you have been at a venue of concern or an area of concern, please notify your principal as soon as possible.
Non-essential activities at school are to be minimised and where possible, the occurrence of large gatherings such as whole school assemblies are to be reduced or eliminated.
Support
The ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. Managing mental health and wellbeing during this time can be an ongoing challenge. Below are some links to information and resources that may provide support during this time.
Centacare 1800 372 826
Lifeline - 13 11 14
As we have seen, this is an unfolding situation with new information being received frequently. Any changes will be communicated as soon as they are available. Please don’t hesitate to contact your principal with any questions or concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Smyth
Director of Catholic Schools
