Executive Director’s Update to Principals #76: COVID Update - 9 Sep 2021
God of our going out and our coming in: each step we take today
needs to make space for others.
Each errand we run,
each purchase we make,
has to make sense for the whole. We must consider how our lives affect the lives around us.
This is not new.
It has always been thus.
But going forward, in this next step, may this truth finally come home.
Amen.
~ Corrymeela Community
COVID Update
Facemask Delivery Update
As per Executive Director’s COVID Update #71 (Monday 6 September), the Department of Education and Training has commenced facemask distribution to schools across Victoria today.
This is a one-off allocation of single-use disposable facemasks for Term 4 to provide back-up supplies for staff, students or visitors who do not have their own mask.
Primary schools will receive 500 masks and secondary schools will receive 750 masks.
Schools should expect to receive the delivery in the coming weeks, however no deliveries will be made during the school holidays.
Schools are encouraged to reach out to other schools in their area to pass on any surplus supplies, or conversely to request additional supplies if required.
Vaccination Communications
If schools receive enquiries from parents or carers about vaccinations, they are advised to explain that the school is obligated to follow the public health directives issued by the Victorian Chief Health Officer. These directives include that the school must operate under the requirements detailed in the School Operations Guide issued by CECV.
We have been notified that some schools have had parents and carers requesting information about staff vaccinations. Due to privacy, schools cannot divulge information relating to an individual’s health (including their vaccination status), but can provide assurance that the school and DOBCEL are strongly recommending that all staff get vaccinated.
School are advised to provide parents and carers who are concerned about vaccinations with the template letters below, which were circulated in Executive Director’s COVID Update #60 (Thursday 26 August). These letters have been adapted from the Victorian Government and are also available on CEVN.
Further template letters are below for responding further correspondence from parents and carers about vaccinations should they be required:
- Correspondence regarding the vaccination of children
- Correspondence regarding the vaccination of staff
Vaccination Champions Program
The Victorian Department of Health has established a COVID-19 Vaccine – Vaccination Champions program, which aims to increase vaccine confidence, increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations and other COVID Safe Behaviours, and raise awareness of Victoria’s easy to access COVID-19 vaccination program, that provides appropriate access for priority populations. For further information, see this Factsheet and Expression of Interest form (Word document).
‘Super Sunday’ Vaccinations for Year 12 Students
Ballarat Health Services invites Year 12 students to book their COVID vaccination for Sunday 12 September, as part of ‘Super Sunday’. As part of the vaccination blitz for final year students, the following people are eligible to book an appointment:
- All Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) students undertaking Units 3/4 subjects
- Final year Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
- International Baccalaureate (IB) students
- Teachers who support final year school students
- VCE exam supervisors and assessors that support final year school students
When: Sunday 12 September
Where: The Mercure Convention Centre, 613 Main Road, Ballarat
How to book: Call 1800 434 144 (from 8am to 8pm)
Note: There is no need to re-book or change appointments if you already have an existing appointment
Please circulate this flyer to families.
School Operations Guide
We are expecting a School Operations Guide later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, please continue to operate in accordance with the current Term 3 School Operations Guide.
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)