Changes to COVID-Safe Measures: update 27 April 2022

There are some important changes to COVIDSafe measures for schools that will apply from the start of Term 2.

Face masks

• From 11.59 pm Friday 22 April, face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at-risk.

Rapid antigen test screening requirements

• Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.

Household contacts

• Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact.
• Students/adults that are close contacts must not attend the College campuses if they are showing any symptoms.
• Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school for 7 days, unless they have a valid exemption.
• If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

RAT screening program reminder

• RATs will continue to be supplied for the first 4 weeks of Term 2 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school.
• The testing recommendations will remain the same this Term for students and staff with mainstream schools recommended to test at home twice a week.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools

• Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination

• As we approach winter and flu season, the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 and booster shots for students 16+ remains the best way to ensure protection for students and staff.
• If you have any concerns about getting your child vaccinated, please get in contact with your GP or another health professional who can answer your questions.

Other COVID-safe measures

• We now have additional air purification devices and will continue with our ventilation arrangements to increase fresh airflow into indoor spaces, encourage hand hygiene and social distancing.

Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school safe.

Brian Turner, Principal