Executive Director’s Update to Principals #4: COVID Update - 27 January 2022

School Operations Guide

Please note that the School Operations Guide: Term 1, 2022 has been updated to resolve some of the anomalies in the initial version.   

There are still a couple of references to the VicEd COVID Tool on page 7 for the reporting of positive COVID-19 cases.  This is for Government schools only.   

We will communicate with you in the coming days the alternate process for schools in the Diocese of Ballarat.  The SOG will be amended according. 

Guidance Letter for Families

The Guidance Letter for Families is provided as a resource to support communication with your school community.  While it contains extensive information, please modify to support your families and context to support students return to school.   Most of the information has been drawn from the operations guide, apart from the school continuity clause, which has been developed to forewarn families of possible disruptions.

Staggered Delivery of Packages

Some schools have started to receive their packages of Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits and N-95 Masks.  However, we understand many schools are yet to receive them or may have only received a small number. 

The Department of Education and Training, via CECV, advised today that the delivery may be staggered.  Many schools will be receiving multiple packages so there is no need for concern at this stage.   

Australia Post is delivering the packages and packages may arrive on different days for the one school.  This is happening state-wide for all schools. 

• We are hoping that 90% will be delivered to schools by end of day Friday, 28 January 
• And 99% by end of day Monday, 31 January 

If have not received enough to support your staff and student populations to test twice weekly for the first four weeks of the term by 4.00 pm Monday, 31 January, please complete this Google form to make it easier for us to collate and share this  information with CECV for follow up.

Staff Leave Arrangements

This information has been updated in the SOG (page 7).   

Employees who contract COVID-19 while undertaking duties in the workplace will be eligible for the Infectious Disease Leave under clause 36 of the VCEMEA 2018.  

Employees who contract COVID-19 or are required to isolate with no connection to the workplace can access personal leave. 

For employees who are required to isolate based on being determined a close contact at school, the school can consider alternate duties remotely or alternatively miscellaneous leave for up to five days  

Principals are encouraged to contact the CEB HR Team: Maree (HR Manager)  mbaker@dobcel.catholic.edu.au ph.# 0436 460 275 or Jo (HR Adviser) jhuntley@ceob.edu.au ph.# 0429 598 163 for support in determining the appropriate leave type.  

Requirements if re-exposed to COVID (within 30 days)

The Department of Health advice is that if you are re-exposed to COVID-19 within 30 days of your positive test result you do not need to quarantine or test again.   

The person can attend work, education, and sensitive settings within this 30-day period.  Beyond 30-days, usual protocols for quarantine and testing resume. 

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