Being Covid-safe at School

As we all return to another school year it is important to recognise that this is NOT school "as usual".   Although the omnicron variant of Covid-19 appears to bring mild illness for most people, particularly those who are vaccinated, it is a serious illness for many.   At the very least, it is causing havoc with businesses due to absenteeism, and is likely to be problematic for schools.

One of the challenges we will face is covering staff who are absent due to needing to isolate - either because they are a close of contact of someone with Covid-19, or have tested positive themselves.  This means we are likely to have a higher than usual proportion of relieving teachers in the school, and I ask students to assist in making sure teaching and learning can continue by continuing the high standards of respectful behaviour they would show their regular teacher.   This term, working together as a community is going to be more important than ever.

Please make sure you are across all of the information below so that we can all be assured that our work/learning place is safe for all of us.

Rapid Antigen Testing

The Department is making rapid antigen tests free for all staff and students for the first four weeks of Term 4.   I'm guessing they hope that this version of the virus will have peaked by then!  I will send out information via Compass regarding how to access the RATs.   

It is recommended (although not mandated) that students and staff take a RAT twice per week, at home, before they come to school.  The best times to do this are Tuesday morning and Thursday morning.  

A pack of 5 RATs will be provided to students at the start of Week 1, and the start of Week 3.  

Any positive result must be reported to the school.  

If staff or students receive a positive test result it must be reported to the school (AskLeadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au) and also the Department of Health.   I will send you information as to how to do this once you notify me of a positive result.  

We will support you and your learning, and record your absence for your 7 day isolation period.   We will also let the rest of the school community know we have had a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms.  Under no circumstances will we share the name of anyone who is Covid positive.  Vaccination status and health status are covered by the Privacy Act.  

If we have a positive case

A 'suspected' or 'symptomatic' case means a person who displays any Covid-19 symptoms.   As soon as I am aware of a suspected case in a staff member or student, and if that person has attended onsite while displaying symptoms, or 48 hours before the developed symptoms, there are a number of actions I need to follow.  

1.   I notify the person that they need to take a RAT.
2. If the RAT is positive, I will guide parents as to how to record the result with the Department of Health, and I have to record complete our own record keeping.  
3. Students or staff who test positive must isolate for 7 days and not attend school for that period.
4. Where a student is a household contact of a positive case (that is, they have spent more than 4 hours with someone who has Covid-19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) they must inform me and isolate for 7 days and not attend school during that period.
5. Staff must report the result of a positive test and request leave through their EduPay portal.   Staff who report a positive result must isolate for 7 days and not attend school during that period.
6. Where a staff member is a household contact of a positive case, they must inform me and isolate for 7 days and not attend school during that period, unless they are attending under a provided exemption (see next section).
7. I will notify the school community on a daily basis if a student/students or staff member/members have returned a positive Covid-19 test result and had attended school.   My notification will include:  dates of attendance, affected year levels/STRIVE classes, any relevant extracurricular activities.  

If there are a significant number of cases, the Department of Education will work with us to determine any other actions that may need to be taken.  A move to remote and flexible learning will only be used as a last resort and can only be approved by the Regional Director.  

Exemptions for staff who are household contacts

School staff are eligible for an exemption from household contact home isolation requirements to allow them to attend school to support the delivery of essential services.  Asymptomatic close contacts may return to work during the home isolation period if it is necessary for continuity of the operations of  the school.    This can only occur with the agreement of the Principal AND the staff member.   Staff will not be pressured to attend in any circumstances.  It is my intention to avoid this scenario.  

What if I'm in contact with a positive case?

If you are in contact with a positive case who is not a household contact, you should attend school/work and monitor for symptoms.

If you have symptoms, you must stay/return home, take a RAT or get a PCR test.

On receipt of a negative test you can return to school if you are well enough.

If you are not well enough to attend school, usual absence/leave policies apply.  

Student Attendance

Students are expected to attend on site.  Parent preference is not an approved reason for students to be absent due to Covid-19.  Students who are required to isolate or quarantine will be supported in the same way as a student with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support continued learning.    The school is unable to provide a remote learning program for absent students.  

Medically vulnerable students

Students with medical needs must have an up to date Student Health Support Plan based on medical advice from their medical or health practitioner.  Please contact Claire Waites on cws@sthelena.vic.edu.au to arrange a plan.

QR Codes and Visitors to School

Visitors and volunteers working on site all need to check in via the QR code at the office.   Parents who enter the school buildings must also check in via the QR code.  

Students and staff do not need to check in.  

Visitors and volunteers attending our site both indoors and outdoors must have had at least 2 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exemption to attend on site.

Visitors and volunteers must adhere to COVIDSafe requirements - physical distancing, face mask requirements, hand hygiene.

Off-site VET students

Students undertaking VET subjects on other school sites are able to continue to do so.  

School Buses

The Department's Student Transport Unit will make every effort to continue to provide school bus services.  However, staff shortages may result in the cancellation of bus services at short notice.  Where this occurs, we will communicate with families and we have been assured that services would return to normal operation as soon as practicable.  Buses will continue to receive additional cleaning at the completion of each journey.

Students must wear face masks when travelling on school buses, or any other form of public transport.

Students and staff returning from overseas

There are additional requirements for people who arrive from overseas.   Please contact me if this applies to you.

Staff and Student Vaccinations

All staff are required to have received 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine unless a medical exemption applies.  Staff must receive a third dose by 25 February if they are already eligible, or within 3 months and 2 weeks of receiving their 2nd dose to continue working in education settings.   Staff are required to upload their vaccination information on EduPay, including a record of their third dose.    A staff member who does not meet the vaccination requirements will not be assigned alternative duties.

There is no mandate for vaccinations for students, but vaccinations are strongly encouraged as the best way to prevent individuals, families and our community from further outbreaks and the spread of COVID-19.  

Ventilation

We have been provided with a number of air purifiers, to be placed in high traffic areas.   Staff are encouraged to keep classroom windows and doors open wherever practical. Air conditioners can be used but only if doors/windows are open to allow air circulation.   on.  

Where practical, teachers are encouraged to utilise outdoor spaces.  

Non-classroom based activities

We are able to run extra-curricular and other out-of-classroom activities including camps, excursions, sport and tours.

However, we will be conducting a risk assessment for each activity in order to determine additional risk mitigation measures required.   These may include:

1.  limiting the activity to a small cohort size
2. limiting activity to outdoor spaces
3. postponing the activity
4. staggering groups who participating in the activity

We also have to consider the current levels of Covid-19 related absences and staffing pressures that may be associated with the running of an activity.   

We will inform you prior to any camp or overnight stay of the COVIDSafe measures that will be in place during the camp and seek permission - even if you provided permission last year.   You need to understand that if a confirmed or probable case was present at the camp while infectious, students may be identified as household-like contacts and have to quarantine for 7 days.

Physical distancing

Physical distancing is rarely possible in a classroom situation.  However, staff will be practising social distancing including eating, drinking and meeting outside wherever possible to avoid the use of common areas.

Students should practise physical distancing wherever possible.

Face Masks

School staff are required to always wear face masks indoors when not actively teaching.

Students must wear a face mask indoors at school.  Students must wear a face mask even if vaccinated.

No one is required to wear face masks outside.

When attending outdoor activities and excursions, face masks are not mandatory but must be worn indoors.  

Everyone over 8 years old must wear face masks when travelling to and from school via public transport or on the school bus.

Visitors to the school must wear a face mask.

A face mask MUST cover the nose and mouth.  Many students are in the habit of wearing it  under their nose, or under their chin.   Any deliberate and persistent non-compliance with the face masks direction will be treated as a serious matter.

There will be some students who have a lawful reason for not wearing a face mask:    persons who have a physical or mental health condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face covering unsuitable, including persons with obstructed breathing, a serious skin condition of the face, an intellectual disability, a mental health condition or persons who have experienced trauma.

You are not required to provide medical evidence of a reason for a face mask exemption, but I urge you to think as to whether the reason for the face mask exemption IS a lawful one, and not that your child doesn't like wearing the mask.

Please notify me via AskLeadership@sthelena.vic.edu.au so that we can issue your child with a pass, so that they are not constantly asked about it.  

Students should bring their own face masks.   Cloth masks are the least effective.  It is recommended that disposable masks are worn, but your child should change the mask at least twice during the day and dispose of it responsibly in the bin.   N95 are the most effective face masks.  The College has a small supply of masks for students whose masks may break.  Parents will be contacted regarding students who repeatedly have to leave the classroom because they "forgot" their mask.   Please help us be reinforcing the importance of compliance with this health directive with your child.  

Practise good hygiene

All staff, students and visitors should practise good hand hygiene particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.   

Hand sanitiser will be available in classrooms and students must sanitise their hands on entry.

It is advised that students bring their own hand sanitiser for use before and after eating, and after using the toilet.  

Sharing of food is not permitted - that means no class "cake days" etc for the time being.    :-(

I know this is a lot to take in.  We were really lucky last year to avoid active cases until the very last week of term.   If all follow the guidelines as above we maximise our chances of avoiding an outbreak in 2022.

We can do it!

KT