Pakenham Secondary College News

Covid-19 Update

Rapid Antigen Tests

  • Staff and students are asked to undertake rapid antigen tests (RATs) at home twice a week, with tests provided for the remainder of the term. It is recommended that these tests be carried out on Sunday and Wednesday.
  • The next round of RATs will be distributed to students this afternoon (Monday 28th February).
  • Information about how to do a test, including a how-to video translated into 33 languages, is available online.

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.
  • Where a student is a household contact 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), they must inform the school and 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.

Face Masks

  • Face masks remain strongly recommended but are not required in secondary schools. 
  • Everyone over 8 years old must wear a face mask when travelling to and from school on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles.

Vaccination requirements for parents, carers and other visitors to the school

  • Parents, carers and other adult visitors who enter school buildings must be able to show evidence of two doses of Covid-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exception. 
  • The following limited exceptions also apply: 
    • when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school.
    • when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer.
    • when attending for a momentary period that does not involve any sustained contact with staff or students, for example, to collect a completed art project, collecting a packet of rapid antigen tests or similar.
  • When parents and carers do not meet vaccination requirements, the school will hold meetings and other discussions (such as Student Support Group meetings) virtually.
  • Parents, carers and other adult visitors attending school sites for drop-off and pick-up who do not enter school buildings do not need to comply with vaccination requirements.