Executive Director’s Update to Principals #13: COVID Update - 24 February 2022

God of the Sabbath,
on this newest first day of creation,
your people gather in creative ways
to bear the image of God together.

As we reflect on You present here with us and still worry,
let us pause
and acknowledge all that is happening in our world.

And as we bring our fears and release our tears let us see more clearly
that the world you have made is still good.

Amen.

COVID Briefing Tomorrow Cancelled

We were scheduled to have a COVID briefing at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow. Due to several conflicting appointments, and no significant new information at hand, we will not proceed with tomorrow’s online COVID briefing.   

The next COVID briefing is scheduled for Friday, 4 March, or earlier if required.   

If you have specific concerns or questions, please reach out to your Education Consultant, Ange Jones or Matt Byrne and we will endeavor to resolve your matter.

We believe a new Operational Guide is imminent, and we will share it as soon as it is finalised.

Booster Deadline

We remind everyone that the COVID-19 vaccination booster deadline has been extended to 25 March 2022 as communicated in the COVID Update # 12 (22 Feb 2022) and the Weekly Newsletter # 4 (23 Feb 2022).

Positive Start Program

The Victorian Government’s Positive Start in 2022 initiative is intended to support students at low-fee Catholic schools across the state to access more opportunities to participate in camps, arts, sporting and cultural programs, and additional swimming lessons to boost student physical and emotional health and wellbeing in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.  

An early outline of this program was communicated in COVID Update #132 (13 Dec 2021) including an FAQ prepared by CECV and, in the COVID Update #12 (22 Feb 2022). 

The Positive Start initiative will be launched on 1 March 2022 with further information including how eligible schools under the initiative can access camps, programs and experiences for 2022 to be provided.    

In order to attract funding, eligible schools need to be identified. To assist the identification of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat for eligibility for the Positive Start Program, DET has invited schools to complete this brief survey by end of day Monday, 28 February 2022.  

We apologise for the short timeline, DET originally wanted the information by COB today – we have pushed back and said that is unreasonable and have negotiated this extension. By providing this information to DET we hope to be able to maximise support for Diocesan schools. 

Thank you for the continued care of your community in these times. 

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