St Mel's Community Newsletter

Principals COVID Updates

COVID ~ GENERAL INFORMATION 

Hopefully this information will answer many questions that you may have. Things may change after you receive this information, so please keep a look out for emails or messages via SchoolStream.   

 

In line with latest information from the Government of Victoria, we have had some revised operational advice in regards to returning to school for the 2022 year. 

The Victorian Government’s Back-To-School plan includes the following: 

 

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING 

Free rapid antigen tests will be made available for all staff and students in Victorian schools for the first four (4) weeks of Term 1, 2022. Rapid antigen testing is highly recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff. 

Staff and students should test twice weekly on school days. Tests will be provided in packs of five individual tests. 

Students and staff will do the tests at home and must report any positive test results to the school.  

If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398.  

Parents must also report a positive result to their school through the VicEd COVID Portal by phone or written notification. 

The incidence of positive cases will be reported to the school community as they arise. Contact tracing is no longer a requirement for schools. 

 

HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS 

A household contact is someone who has spent more than 4 hours with someone who has COVID19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility. If a student is identified as a household contact, they must inform the school and isolate for seven days and not attend school during that period. 

If a student is required to isolate, the school will provide learning materials to support their learning, schools are not required to provide a full remote learning program in these circumstances.  

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

 

ENTERING BUILDINGS, QR CODES AND VACCINATION STATUS 

All visiting workers and other visitors entering the school will continue to be required to check in via the QR code and provide evidence of their vaccination status through our office.

 

Visitors (including parents)should not enter the building unless it is deemed essential that they do so. This means that such events as the opening school mass and other community gatherings cannot take place at this time, when these are able to be held in a safe way, we will do so.

 

Masks

Masks are required to be worn inside for staff and students from Years 3-6. Students are asked to bring their own mask to school each day. 

 

COVID SAFE OPERATION 

St Mel’s has a fully developed COVID safe plan with risk mitigation strategies in line with the Government  recommended focuses on Ventilation, Vaccination and Vital COVIDsafe steps. 

Air Purifiers have also arrived and been placed in classrooms & high density areas.

We would reiterate the same message we have had throughout the COVID19 episode – if your child is unwell or has signs or symptoms, please stay home and get tested before returning to school.  

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the school on office@smshepparton.catholic.edu.au or 03 58213163. 

 

Primary Care Vaccination in Schools Program

St Mel’s has been selected as a participant in the Primary Care Vaccination in Schools Program.  Children aged 5-11 years are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect yourself, your family and our school community from further outbreaks and the spread of COVID-19. 

Vaccination is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged, except where your medical practitioner advises you otherwise. 

To help keep our school community safe, Sarkon Medical Centre will be hosting a mini COVID-19 vaccination clinic at our school for all students at our school aged 5-11 years.

 

When and where - The clinic will provide two COVID-19 vaccine doses to participating students, delivered at 2 appointments, expected to be 8 weeks apart.

Dose 1

  • Date: Thursday 10th and Friday 11th February
  • Time: 8am – 10am and 4pm – 7pm
  • Location: St Mel’s School Hall

Dose 2

  • Date: Thursday 7th April
  • Time: 8am – 10am and 4pm – 7pm
  • Location: St Mel’s School Hall

Eligibility - Vaccinations will be available to all students enrolled at our school aged 5-11-years-old.

Parent/guardian consent -All students aged 5-11-years-old require the consent of their parent or guardian to be vaccinated. A parent or guardian must attend the mini vaccination clinic with your child to provide consent and support your child. 

 

How to book an appointment

To book an appointment, you can visit our website www.sarkonmedicalcentre.com and click "Covid Booking tab" and scroll down to select school or alternatively, walk-in appointments are available. Please call 0260808442 (Monday to Friday 8am-4pm) for further information or booking by phone or other enquires. 

 

What to bring - On the day you should bring the following:

Please note, appointments and vaccinations through the school based mini-vaccination clinic are free and at no cost to your or your family. 

Please speak to your doctor if you have any questions about vaccination for your child.  

More information

If you and your child cannot attend the vaccination clinic at the school, you can book and receive your COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre, participating GP clinics, pharmacies or community health services.  

 You can find a Commonwealth vaccination centre or participating GP, pharmacy or community health service through the Vaccine Clinic Finder. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.  To find a state vaccination centre and opening times, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au. 

 

Translated advice about the vaccines is also available at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.  

 

For further assistance, contact:  

  • the Department of Education and Training COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663. 
  • the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080. 

Hotline and translation

The Department of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 can answer questions you have about vaccination. 

For school information in languages other than English, call TIS National on 131 450. Please ask them to call the DET COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663 and they will help interpret.  

The Victorian Government’s coronavirus.vic.gov.au website also has information about COVID-19 vaccines in 63 community languages.

Resources to help prepare for the vaccine

Resources are available to help you and your child or children prepare for the vaccination: