Executive Director's Update to Principals #7: COVID Update - 16 Feb 2021
A Coronavirus Prayer
Loving God, Your desire is for our wholeness and well-being.
We hold in tenderness and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time.
We grieve precious lives lost and vulnerable lives threatened.
We ache for ourselves and our neighbours, standing before an uncertain future.
We pray: may love, not fear, go viral.
Inspire our leaders to discern and choose wisely, aligned with the common good.
In practicing social distancing may you reveal to us new and creative ways to come together in spirit and in solidarity.
Call us to profound trust in your faithful presence,
You, the God who does not abandon.
Reminder: Temporary School Operations Guide for 15-17 February circuit breaker
A reminder that there is a temporary School Operations Guide now available which pertains only to the current circuit breaker: Monday 15 - Wednesday 17 February, unless the lockdown period is extended. Changes were detailed in yesterday's update.
Further advice will be issued for the School Operations Guide once the lockdown period is lifted.
COVID-Related Miscellaneous Leave - During the Circuit Breaker
The directive from the State Government is if you can work from home, you must,therefore there may be circumstances where an employee may be eligible for miscellaneous leave. Consideration needs to be given to:
- the vulnerability risk factors of the employee;
- what reasonable alternative duties can be provided if a person cannot attend the workplace
- other extenuating circumstances e.g. a school not opening where the children of an employee usually attend
Miscellaneous leave may be granted when:
- when the school has reasonably exhausted every option for alternative duties.
- when a staff member has been informed they are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus and are required to self-isolate.
- If an employee advises that they are in one of the at risk categories and have been advised by their treating medical practitioner to stay home as a precaution. Discussions should occur in relation to work from home arrangements and if working from home is not reasonably practicable, it is recommended that miscellaneous leave be granted.
Approved miscellaneous leave should not be deducted from an employee’s leave entitlements. It is provided in circumstances where the employer (the school) is unable to provide sufficient or reasonable alternative work, which is not the fault of the employee.
Download our COVID-Related Miscellaneous Leave fact sheet.
Definition of Vulnerable Children
Definition of Vulnerable Children from page 3 of the current School Operations Guide:
- children in out-of-home care
- children deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to be at risk of harm
- children identified by the school as vulnerable (including via referral from a family violence agency, homelessness or youth justice service or mental health or other health service).
Letter from the Bishop
Bishop Paul Bird issued a letter last Friday 12 February regarding the circuit breaker lockdown.
Next COVID-19 Update
We will continue to send out COVID-19 updates on an as needs basis. Please liaise with your Education Consultant with any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and continue to look after each other…
Ever blessings.