Executive Director’s Update to Principals #70: COVID Update - 5 Sep 2021
God of the home and God of the traveller,
we begin to dig in for an uncertain season,
and embark on a journey together.
We know in each step
you are there alongside us:
a guide, a protector, a friend.
May each day on the road bring us closer together closer to a land of grateful reunion
closer to the place you call home.
Amen.
~ Corrymeela Community
Vaccination blitz for final year students
To help support the safe conduct of end-of-year exams, the Victorian Government has announced a vaccination blitz for final year students (all Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3/4 students, final year Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and International Baccalaureate (IB) students), their teachers and exam supervisors and assessors.
From Tuesday 7 September and until Friday 17 September, final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors and assessors will have access to priority timeslots to attend their vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre.
Dedicated appointment booking hotline
The hotline number is 1800 434 144. The hotline will operate from 8am to 8pm.
- Year 12 students will be able to book from 8am Monday 6 September.
- Other Unit 3/4 students can book from 8am Wednesday 8 September.
Ineligible staff and students will not be able to make a booking using this booking process.
Please encourage final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors and assessors to make an appointment, as this will help keep them and our community safe and support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations later this year.
The Department of Health (DH) has advised that you can assure students and families that there is enough vaccine supply for all eligible students and staff. There is no need to rush to call the booking hotline immediately on Monday when it opens.
Students and families should be patient as there may be long wait times. The DH will support all students and staff to ensure they are vaccinated.
Vaccination information packs
The Victorian Government has produced letters (Word documents) for students and parents with information about how eligible students can book their vaccination. This letter should be shared with your school’s final year students and their families.
You will also find letters to provide to staff responsible for teaching or supervising eligible students with information about how to book their vaccine. This includes a letter staff must provide to a vaccine provider to confirm their eligibility for a priority COVID-19 vaccination. Please note that this letter should only be issued to staff eligible to be vaccinated as part of this blitz. All other staff can access a booking using the information provided on coronavirus.vic.gov.au
Webinar for Thursday 9 September
The Victorian Department of Health is hosting a live webinar for final year school students, their families and educators to provide information on COVID-19 vaccination. You can join the free webinar on Friday 9 September, 6-7pm. Registration is via Eventbrite.
Topics covered include:
- Vaccines, development and safety
- Accessing and consenting to a vaccination
- How to book an appointment
- Q+A with the panel.
This event will be held via Microsoft Teams Live. For access information visit Attend a live event in Teams.
Please feel free to send out the details of this webinar to your students and their families.
Nominate a Vaccine Champion for your school
The Department of Health (DH), with support from the Department of Education and Training and the CECV, have launched a new program designed to build confidence and increase rates of COVID-19 vaccination across our government school communities.
Each school is encouraged to nominate their own Vaccination Champion, who will be offered special communications training, resources, and sessions from the DH. This will enable them to share information, answer questions, and discuss concerns around the COVID-19 vaccination program. By building our network of vaccination champions, each school can support the health of their community and return, as soon as possible, to continuous onsite learning.
I encourage you to nominate early by identifying a trusted member in your school community and supporting them to apply.
Applicants can complete the expressions of interest form and return it to employee.health@education.com.au
Thank you for your support of these important initiatives, which will help to keep our students, staff and communities safe
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)