St Joseph's Warialda Newsletter 2023

Updated COVID Advice 

from 

Catholic Schools NSW

Latest Coronavirus Advice as at 22nd July

 

Catholic Schools NSW has contacted schools with the following advice:

 

Masks

Mask-wearing when indoors is strongly encouraged for all school-based staff and for all students, particularly for the first 4 weeks of Term 3.

 

Masks are an effective way to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses and infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and the flu.  A 4-week mask-wearing ‘blitz’ will help to reduce the risk of transmission events in our schools and keep our schools operational to support our students’ learning.

 

Masks continue to be required for workers who support our students who are at greater risk of serious illness should they contract COVID-19 in specialist centres, support units and some mainstream classrooms.

 

Rapid antigen testing

As part of the NSW Government’s focus on minimising disruptions to teaching and learning, the CSNSW will continue to support the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) in schools throughout Term 3.

 

RATs will be sent to schools from Week 1 of Term 3. The delivery is expected to be completed within the first three weeks of the term. This supply will contain 1 multipack of 5 RAT kits for every student and staff member in the school. 

 

Close contacts

Staff and students who are identified as close contacts are allowed to attend school, providing they follow certain guidelines.

 

Staff and students cannot attend specialist centres or support units as a close contact, and will be supported to work or learn from home.

 

Visitors on school sites

Visitors can attend schools and early childhood education and care (ECEC) services regardless of their vaccination status, in line with settings in the broader community. 

 

This includes:

  • volunteers or staff operating uniform shops and canteens
  • allied health partners for the well-being of students
  • university and TAFE students completing their practicum or teacher training.

Reducing the risk of illness this winter

All students, staff and their families should follow NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of not only COVID-19, but also other illnesses that may affect schools this winter such as the flu. 

 

Schools should reinforce the following NSW Health messages with their communities:

  • Stay home if unwell or showing even the mildest of symptoms
  • Keep up to date with vaccinations – including the flu vaccine, which is available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service
  • Get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result and are symptom-free
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water
  • Take a RAT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.

Community use of school sites

Community use of school sites including community sports, playgroups, schools as community centres and for Parent and Friends Association meetings are permitted. The school should have plans in place to avoid interaction between the community users and school students and staff.

  • Community use of school sites should use outdoor spaces and be held after hours where possible.
  • Community use of school sites should follow NSW Government rules.
  • A Community Use Acknowledgement must be in place.
  • Community users do not need to be vaccinated, unless required by their organisation. Parents, carers and other visitors participating do not need to be vaccinated.
  • Community users during school hours must also check in as a school visitor.