COVID-19 update

Important messages – St John's Footscray

COVID updates/re-sharing latest information:

  • Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) - We are expecting another delivery of RAT kits this week. We endeavour to send home the next fortnight's testing kits as soon as they arrive. If your child is absent when this happens, educators will record their name on a kit and send it home with them on their return.
  • Outside shade sails - We have had two companies provide quotes for the construction of shade sails in Joan's Yard and awaiting on a third. We have also asked these companies to provide quotes for the installation of shade sails over the climbing equipment in the backyard so that children have more shaded play spaces in this area. We are hopeful that these works can begin soon.
  • Assemblies / Liturgies - These can still go ahead outdoors as per our guidelines. All visitors are asked to socially distance.
  • Bubbles / cohort mixing - We will continue our yard bubbles and indoor learning kept to Hubs only. Educators are taking children / groups outside as much as possible (weather permitting) to keep ventilation high. At this stage, we will only gather as a whole school outside.
  • Before school play - ALL children will be required to go straight inside when they arrive at school. This is to limit the mixing between the bubbles of P-2 and 3-6 children.

What you need to know 

If your child is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they can continue to attend school, but you should monitor for symptoms. 

Children who show symptoms of COVID-19 cannot attend school and should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result. 

Children should continue with twice-a-week rapid antigen testing on school days. Children who have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to participate in surveillance testing for 30 days after their isolation period has ended. 

 

For information on symptoms visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks

 

For more information on how to get tested visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/taking-test-covid-19

 

If your child returns a positive result, your child has COVID-19. You must: 

● quarantine your child for seven days 

● advise the school about the positive result 

● Your child must stay home until their symptoms have resolved and they are well 

● Everyone in your household is a close contact and must isolate for 7 days. 

 

Reporting your child’s positive test 

If your child was at school when they were infectious you need to report the positive case through the Student COVID-19 Test Portal or you can notify the school in writing or by phone. 

You must also report your child’s positive test to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398

 

Further information for languages other than English 

● For school information in languages other than English, call TIS National on 131 450

● For translated written information about COVID-19, please visit: Translated information about COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria

● Please ask them to call the DET COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663 and they will help interpret. 

● For health advice in languages other than English, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translated-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19 

 

If someone in your household has COVID-19

● Everyone in your household is a close contact and must isolate for 7 days. Please do not send your child to school. 

● Advise the school that your child is isolating 

● Test your child at the end of their isolation period to ensure that they are negative before returning to school 

 

Financial support available to people affected by COVID-19: 

For more information, visit: 

Financial and other support for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria 

If you need a payment during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Getting help during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Services Australia 

 

General advice and support

 Advice and further resources about what to do if you test positive to COVID-19, or you have been told you are a contact, are at: Your COVID Checklist | Coronavirus Victoria, or call the 24/7 Coronavirus hotline on: 1800 675 398

 

If you have any further questions about St. John's COVID management, please call/email School Office or Emily. 

 

Thank you for your support.