Executive Director’s Update to Principals #82: COVID Update - 15 Sep 2021
God of pastures and God of lambs, these new-born creatures of spring know nothing of the worry
or anxiety of our last month.
They know instead of
the earth beneath them
and the sky above,
and a mother who cares for them daily. May we who are more experienced remind each other of
the steadiness of your providence,
the instinct in your protection,
the simplicity of your love.
And may we then with confidence
find our footing in this new-born world.
Amen.
~ Corrymeela Community
Immediate Lockdown for Ballarat
In today’s Victorian press conference, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that City of Ballarat will enter a 7 day lockdown at 11.59pm tonight, Wednesday 15 September.
Two new cases and multiple exposure sites have been reported today, along with multiple wastewater detections in three catchments in the area.
Ballarat residents are urged to get tested if they have symptoms. Additional testing services are being set up in the area, as well as extended opening hours for testing facilities.
Residents have also been urged to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Extra vaccinations will be supplied to the area. Currently Ballarat has a 69% first dose vaccination rate.
The regional response team has been activated to support the community through the outbreak.
Watch today’s Press Conference, read the Premier’s Media Release and access the updated Table of Restrictions.
Schools in the City of Ballarat LGA
Schools in the City of Ballarat LGA will move into the same settings as metropolitan Melbourne as of 11.59pm tonight. See the current Term 3 School Operations Guide.
The announcement impacts the following schools:
- St Thomas More Primary School, Alfredton
- St Patrick's Primary School, Ballarat
- St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East
- St Francis Xavier PS, Ballarat East
- St Columba's Primary School, Ballarat North
- Lumen Christi Primary School, Delacombe
- Siena Catholic Primary School, Lucas
- Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Mt Clear
- St Aloysius Primary School, Redan
- St James' Primary School, Sebastopol
- Our Lady Help of Christians PS, Wendouree
- Damascus College, Mt Clear
- Loreto College, Ballarat
- St Patrick's College, Ballarat
The above Ballarat LGA schools are expected to move to a remote learning platform for all year levels starting tomorrow. Schools should be flexible in their arrangements to ensure continuity of learning. This can include digital learning platforms and/or the provision of learning materials.
Where necessary, students should be provided with access to digital devices to enable access to learning programs being provided by the school.
We are awaiting further information, including clarification on Authorised Worker Permits, which we circulate when it is received.
Ballarat LGA On-Site Supervision Requirements
Ballarat LGA schools must continue to provide on-site supervision for students in the following categories:
Category A
Children where both parents and or carers are considered authorised workers who cannot work from home, work for an essential provider and where no other supervision arrangements can be made:
- Where there are two parents/carers, both must be essential workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
- For single parents/ carers, the essential worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
Category B
Children experiencing vulnerability, including:
- in out-of-home care
- deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home
- identified by a school or early childhood service as vulnerable, (including via referral from a government agency, or funded family or family violence service, homeless or youth justice service or mental health or other health service)
Where a parent/carer indicates that a student with a disability is vulnerable because they cannot learn from home, and/or informs the school the student is vulnerable due to family stress, the school must provide on-site supervision for that student. This may apply to students enrolled in specialist schools and students with a disability enrolled in mainstream schools.
State Roadmap Announcement
The Premier also announced in today’s Press Conference that the state roadmap will be announced this Sunday.
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)