School

Health Information

SOME HEALTH REMINDERS

COVID ~ THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA

COVID:

Rapid Antigen Test kits

We have a very large quantity of the kits, so if you or your family require one (or more) please ask at Reception. 

COVID-19 isolation requirements have changed

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders.

The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health, will apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October 2022.

It is strongly recommended that students:

• who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
• should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic
• who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school
• advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result

Where students become symptomatic at school they should:

• be collected by their parents/carers
• undergo testing for COVID-19

We ask that our MC community continues its excellent, proactive support to the college by following the government health recommendations above, especially as we head into the crucial VCAA exam period.

The school still has a significant supply of masks and RATs for student use; students should ask at Reception if they require more.

All Year 12s have been supplied with additional RATs and it is suggested that they test during the exam period to ensure their and their peers’ health and attendance.

Reporting positive COVID-19 test results

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, schools and household.

Parents and carers will therefore be asked to continue to report positive student COVID-19 cases using the VicED COVID Tool.

Parents/carers should also inform the school by phone or written notification. 

COVID-19 vaccination changes

The current mandatory vaccination requirement for staff and visitors, contractors and volunteers working in specialist schools will cease to apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October. COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, continues to be strongly recommended for all school staff.

Face masks

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19, for at least 7 days after a positive test, when they need to leave home.

THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA:

There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during seasons with increased grass pollen levels. This typically occurs between October and December. Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are triggered by a combination of higher grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm. People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk under these conditions.

This risk is increased further for people who have poorly treated hay fever and asthma.The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce unnecessary absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, provided by a general practitioner (GP) or specialist.

We ask that families:

• ensure all students diagnosed with asthma have an up-to-date asthma action plan, a student health support plan and student medication, including relievers (puffers), on hand
• ensure students with a history of seasonal hay fever symptoms see a GP if they don’t have a hay fever treatment plan
• consider downloading the VicEmergency app and create a ‘watch zone’ for epidemic thunderstorm asthma advice and warnings
• keep asthma medication accessible

The VicEmergency app forecasts thunderstorm asthma risk between 1 October and 31 December for 3 days at a time (today, tomorrow and the day after) using a coloured scale from low risk (green), moderate risk (orange) to high risk (red). While not a formal warning, this information can help you manage risk and prepare. On a high-risk day, the VicEmergency warning platform will issue warnings and advice.  qrQntLk9Odwo0_Zy7siw/