Executive Director’s Update to Principals #131: COVID Update - 9 Dec 2021
God of the gum trees,
God of the glaahs:
the wildflowers are having
an absolute field day;
the kangaroos can’t believe their luck. Left to do what she does best, nature certainly shows off.
We, too, may see
which root emotion
will rise and come to flower.
We pray that instead
of the worry the world
has tried to plant,
it may be the hope
you sow inside.
Amen.
~ The Corrymeela Community
COVID Update
COVID-19 Vaccination program – children aged 5-11 years
We understand that schools may be asked about the widening of the COVID-19 vaccination roll out program as it applies to children aged 5-11 years. We have received no information regarding this from DET or CECV at this time. You may find the following useful in responding to these questions if they arise.
- There is no existing vaccine mandate for children, of any age. When children aged 12 and older became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Education and Training (DET) confirmed, that, “Vaccination is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged, except where your medical practitioner advises you otherwise. [Students, and their] parents/guardians or carers should speak with [their] GP or pharmacist if [they] have health questions.”
- The Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Direction No. 10 part 3 (4) specific to education facilities, applies only to staff, contractors, volunteers, and any visitors who are not enrolled students.
- While we understand from media reports that the TGA has provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine for children between five and 11 years of age, there is no specific advice from the Department of Health or Victorian Government just yet.
- Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) has not received details regarding the widening of the vaccination program at this stage. CEB continues to work closely with the DET and CECV regarding the advice of the Department of Health and the regulations and obligations provided by the CHO and Victorian Government. As information becomes available, we will continue to share this with you for your school communities to enable informed decisions.
Vaccination Status Update
Key dates for vaccine mandate compliance can be downloaded as a PDF, or click the below diagram to enlarge.
Further to the Executive Director’s COVID Update #126 (25 Nov 2021) principals are required to have discussions with staff who have not complied with the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Direction. Staff should be advised that if they have not received the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the start of the new school year (or by the completion of their paid entitlement to long service leave, or personal leave as supported by medical evidence) that their employment may be jeopardised.
The CEB HR team will support principals in these matters relevant to their circumstances including a guidance note for conversations and template letters. If you have not received these templates and require them, please contact Jo Huntley (mobile 0429 598 163).
If you have not yet issued this letter to the employee(s) affected, please do so this week using the appropriate template letter. The conversation and subsequent letter are essential to ensure those employees are adequately informed of the circumstances and the possible impact on their future employment. The correspondence also requires those employees to inform the school if they intend to be fully vaccinated ahead of the 2022 school year, so the operational needs and impacts can be considered.
Please also ensure your online vaccination register is up to date via the PRS on CEVN or eHR for schools using ICON. Refer to Executive Director’s COVID Update #126 (25 Nov 2021) for guides on these registers. Casual staff and contractors’ vaccination status should continue to be recorded in a manual spreadsheet.
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.
Ange Jones
Assistant Director: People and Development