Executive Director's Update to Principals #62: COVID Update - 30 Aug 2021
God of the desert and God of the garden, your son went into the wilderness.
And there he sat.
And there he prayed.
And there he dreamed of a life more abundant for others.
As we experience uncertain times, and sit with unanswerable questions, may we sprout new thoughts for those less able to rest,
So that when we do leave this desert, we join others in a garden that thrives.
Amen.
~ Corrymeela Community
COVID Update
On-site attendance for Permitted Essential Assessments in secondary schools
The Acting Chief Health Officer has approved the conduct of a restricted list of Permitted Essential Assessments on-site from today, Monday 30 August, as detailed in the attached letter from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Providers must follow all COVID-Safe Settings, Department of Education and Training guidelines, and Health Controls for Essential Assessments, as specified in the attached.
In summary:
- For assessments on-site Monday (today), Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the preference is for students to have a COVID-19 test prior to attending on-site, if possible. If this is not possible, students must be tested immediately after being on-site (and no later than 48 hours after).
- For students with assessments on-site from Thursday/Friday this week, students must be tested in the 72 hours before attending on-site for assessments.
- Evidence of a negative test result is not required before the assessment but must be provided to the school on request. Students can attend the assessment with their test result still pending but must advise the school immediately if they subsequently receive a positive result. This asymptomatic, surveillance testing approach is one currently used during outbreak periods and as such, students are not required to isolate after they get tested while they wait for their result.
- All Permitted Essential Assessments to be conducted on-site are capped at a maximum of 10 participants per session, and are restricted strictly to those participating in essential assessments for these studies where they cannot be conducted remotely.
- COVID-19 testing sites have been informed of these requirements and will not require students to provide evidence to support asymptomatic testing.
- Performing Arts studies have been prioritised due to performance examinations starting on Monday 4 October. Permitted Essential Assessment for attendance on-site from Monday 30 August in Performing Arts studies at Unit 3/4 level only -
- Dance
- Dance (VCE VET)
- Drama
- Music Performance
- Music Investigation
- Music Performance (VCE VET)
- Theatre Studies
- It is planned to progressively add studies with practical assessment requirements that can only be completed on-site as soon as possible, as determined on the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
Who is currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations?
The following groups are currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in Victoria:
- Everyone aged 16 years and over
- Young people aged 12 to 15 years, if they meet the following criteria:
- have an underlying medical condition
- are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Parents and carers of 12 to 15 year olds who are National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants are advised to check eligibility requirements with their service provider.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that bookings for 12 to 15 year olds will open on Monday 13 September.
Next COVID Update
We will continue to monitor the situation and advise principals of any updates. Please liaise with the COVID Support team (see left hand column) or your Education Consultant with any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and continue to look after each other…
Every blessing.
Andrew Watson
Deputy Director of Catholic Education (Interim)