Rapid Antigen Tests - Update for the remainder of term 2

RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term.

However, from Monday 23 May 2022, students will no longer be recommended to undertake either twice weekly RATs in mainstream schools.

RATs however will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms.

The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.

Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.

Household contacts (close contacts)

Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine.

They can return to school as long as:

they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period
wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above, unless they have a valid exemption
they have no symptoms

Students who return a positive RAT result during this period must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.

Vaccinations

Thank you to all families who have had their child vaccinated. Vaccination is highly encouraged and continues to remain the best way to protect students and staff in our school.

Getting vaccinated is easy and bookings can be done via the coronavirus website. If you have any questions about the vaccines, please speak to your GP or a health practitioner.

Testing and screening requirements for students and staff

Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have completed their 7-day isolation period now do not need to undertake RAT screening for 12 weeks from the end of their isolation. This period was previously 8 weeks.

Changes to mask wearing

From 11:59pm Friday 22 April 2022, face masks are not required in any school setting.

This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so.

Vaccinations for Visitors

Parents, carers and other adult visitors are no longer required to show evidence of 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine if not performing work or volunteering at the school. Information about vaccination requirements for volunteers is available at COVID-19 Vaccinations - Visitors and Volunteers on School Sites.

Symptoms

The best tool we still have to manage the spread of Covid remains isolating when we have symptoms related this disease.

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks#what-are-the-symptoms-of-covid-19

The symptoms to watch out for are:

fever
chills or sweats
cough
sore throat
shortness of breath
runny nose
loss or change in sense of smell or taste.

Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Please, do not send your child to school if they display these symptoms. If students present at school with these symptoms the current advice for a symptomatic person in the community who is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms should undertake a Covid-19 PCR test as soon as possible.

I fully understand for families managing work commitments that having to continually leave work or take time of work can be frustrating. However, we need your support in managing the prompt collection of students if they do display the mentioned symptoms at school. This can also be a timely reminder for families to have up to date Emergency Contact details. If parents are at work we will happily use an emergency contact to collect students. Simply put students who display symptoms related to Covid-19 as listed above are not to attend school.

What to do if you test positive

A COVID positive result must be reported to:

the school by phone or the RA Test Portal; this is so the school can support them, 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
the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

Information about how to do a test and how to read RAT results, including a how-to video translated into 33 languages, is available online.

Ventilation

We will continue to make sure that classrooms are well ventilated by opening windows and doors to minimize the risk of infection. We have received air purifiers, which will be used in all classrooms around the school as an added safety measure.

Important Links

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria

Managing COVID at home

Your COVID Checklist | Coronavirus Victoria

Reporting a Positive Rapid Antigen Test

Financial and other support for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria

Coronavirus Hotline - 1800 675 398

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