A message from the Principal

The three confirmed cases in the school last week were not unexpected. Almost all of our local schools have been dealing with cases regularly since we returned to onsite learning and perhaps the biggest surprise was that we were able to enjoy a couple of weeks before we received confirmation that a SKiPPS student had returned a positive test.

Our thoughts are with the students and families of our students who have returned these positive tests.

Having to identify primary close contacts (the classmates and the teachers of the confirmed cases) and then call these families to send their children back into isolation and remote learning for 14 days was a heartbreaking process to go through. 

Having to cancel a school camp on top of that made last Friday especially tough.

The good news (so far) is that none of these primary close contacts have returned a positive test which means it appears there has been no virus transmission at the school. This appears to show that the covid safe measures we are taking around ventilation of spaces, mask wearing, hand hygiene and limiting the mixing of class groups and year levels are working.

Some of these measures, particularly the mask wearing for children, is a real challlenge but this week has shown us why it is currently neccessary.

With so much going on, parents have understandably had a lot of questions about things so we have put together a Frequently Asked Questions section to help clarify a few things that may be unclear;

Do we need to let the school know if we are getting tested?

• There is no need to let us know if you are taking your child for a PCR test.
• If your child tests posiitve then please let us know immediately by calling the school on 8598 6444. If you receive the new outside of school hours, please email me on neil.scott@education.vic.gov.au

What happens when there is a confirmed case within the school community?

• If a child or staff member tests positive and they have been at the school within 48 hours of showing symptoms, the School notifies the Education Department who report this to the Department of Health
• The School works to identify all Primary Close Contacts (PCCs)
• The School may need to close briefly to enable this to occur (as happened last Friday).
• PCCs are contacted by the school
• Relevant areas of the school are professionally and thoroughly cleaned
• PCCs and case isolate and the rest of school returns as soon as this contact and cleaning has taken place.
• PCCs are likely to be limited to those in the same class (or learning space) as the confirmed COVID-19 case. For this reason, the school is working hard to minimise cohort / class mixing as this increases the number of potential PCCs.

When can my child return to school if they are isolating?

When we identify the PCCs of a confirmed case, we pass this information on to the Department of Health and they will then make contact to confirm isolation arrangements and the dates for the day 6 (or day 13) test which is the final step before a PCC can finish their isolation.

Currently it is taking them a few days to make contact due to their huge backlog of cases.

The day that your child has had close contact with the confirmed case is classed as day zero and you start to count the days from the following day. For vaccinated students, they then seek out a PCR test on day 6 and can return to school as soon as this is returned negative.

For unvaccinated students, they must currently isolate for 14 days, seeking a PCR test on day 13 and returning to school as soon as this is returned negative. However, changes are on the way for these PCCs...

What about rapid antigen testing?

As announced yesterday, from next week (Monday 15th November), PCCs who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will no longer necessarily have to isolate for 14 days. 

Instead, if they would prefer, families will receive rapid antigen tests from the school. Once the first 6 days of isolation is complete, students must get a PCR test and can then take a rapid antigen test before school at home on days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. If these tests are all returned negative then they can return to school on day 8 (the same as students and staff who are vaccinated).

Sadly, this new arrangement has come along a little too late for our PCCs who are curently in isolation.

Families who choose not to take part in this rapid antigen testing will need to complete the 14 days of isolation as is currently the case.

Rapid antigen tests are available to purchase from the supermarket/pharmacy and offer a good way to get an initial indication whilst you wait for the results of the more accurate PCR test. If your child is demonstrating symptoms or is needing a test result in order to finish isolation, they do however need to get a PCR test from a testing centre.

Is there remote learning in the case of a closure / for students isolating?

Yes, please see outline below:

• The whole class and teacher are isolating:
  • Program that reflects current remote learning model will be implemented.
  • On-site supervision for isolating students is not available
• My child is isolating but the class is not:o
  • Teachers will do their best to provide learning but this may be more limited than our previous program.
  • If possible, your child will join a class who are learning remotely and complete their learning with them and their teacher.
• The teacher is isolating, the students are not:
  • The teacher and team will plan activities and learning and this will be delivered by a CRT
• Parents opt to keep children at home instead of coming to school
  • No remote learning will be provided

Does my child have to wear a mask?

Yes masks are compulsory for all children in Years 3-6 when indoors at school, unless a lawful exemption applies.

For children in Foundation - Year 2 they are highly recommended.

What is the school doing to increase ventilation and reduce transmission?

• Follow the health guidance around keeping doors and windows open, minimising use of heaters and air-conditioners
• HEPA filters are being deployed to schools (have not arrived yet)
• Utilising outdoor spaces wherever possible (have also submitted an application for a shade sail to enable an outdoor classroom)

We hope that the above information helps to clarify any misunderstandings and ensure we are all on the same page as we approach the final month of the school year. 

Whilst we hope we can get through to the end of the year with no more confirmed cases, we know that this is unlikely and we thank you for your support and kindness as we navigate these unchartered waters and the challenges that no doubt lie ahead.

Neil Scott

Principal