Executive Director's Update to Principals #12: COVID Update - 1 Apr 2021
Christ Jesus,
you wept at the death of your friend, Lazarus.
Now your compassion wipes the tears from our eyes.
May we find comfort in reaching out to others
who feel lost and alone,
especially those isolated or affected by the impact of COVID19
You are the Resurrection and the Life.
All our hope is in you.
Updated School Operations Guide
The Term 1 School Operations Guide has been updated - highlights are detailed below.
Face masks in schools
Face masks continue to be recommended for use by staff, visitors and secondary school students when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
Individuals aged 12 years and over (inclusive of staff, students and visitors) must always carry a face mask, unless they have a lawful exemption.
Individuals aged 12 years and over must continue to wear a face mask when on public transport, school buses and when in taxis or ride share vehicles, unless they have a lawful exemption (page 12).
Dancefloors (at external venues)
Dancefloors (at external hospitality venues and entertainment or community facilities) will now have the same density limit as the venue (one per two square metres), but the maximum of 50 people on a dancefloor at one time has been removed (page 16).
Use of woodwind and brass instruments, singing, voice projection and dance
Musical instruments can continue to be used, and group singing is permitted without specified limits. However, schools should consider measures that may prevent or significantly reduce the risk of infection transmission as outlined by the Department of Health’s COVID-19 transmission from air-circulating, wind-blowing devices and activities (page 17).
Communicating with your school community
A template message has been drafted to support your communication to parents and carers about these changes. It is available on CEVN under Coronavirus Resources.
Research into COVID-19 cases in schools and early childhood education and care settings
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, in partnership with the Department of Health, is undertaking a research project to investigate COVID-19 within educational settings and the impact on schools and early childhood education and care services, and on their children, students, families and staff.
The research project aims to inform the public health response to COVID-19 outbreaks in Victorian schools and early childhood educational settings.
Should any school experience a closure in 2021 due to a positive COVID-19 case, they may be invited by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to participate in the project. Participation is voluntary.
The research project will not affect the standard public health response to a positive COVID-19 case associated with a school.
Schools will continue to be supported in the event of a positive case, including through contact tracing and deep cleaning.
More information is available from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute webpage.
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.