Executive Director’s Update to Principals #51 - 2 November 2023
Indigenous Voice to Parliament
Following the Referendum for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat remain committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their efforts to address inequality and recognition. With a renewed determination, it is now time that we continue with hope and vitality to dialogue and partner with our school communities to ensure safe and flourishing school environment for all.
Enclosed are a series of articles, resources and contacts that Principals may draw on in furthering our work for reconciliation, dialogue and justice.
Student Free Days and Notification of School Closure Days (Primary Schools)
Schools are reminded to complete the form at the following link here regarding proposed Student Free Days and School Closure Days in 2024. All DOBCEL Primary schools are asked to please complete the form by Friday 3 November 2023.
Please refer to the attached documentation to support your understanding of the definitions and procedures for allocating Student Free Days and School Closure days. When planning your school calendar, please keep in mind formation opportunities in Catholic identity for your staff.
Definitions And Procedures Relating To Allocating Student-Free Days And School Closure Days
Visa Checks for Eligible Student Enrolment Using VEVO
Historically, to determine the eligibility of enrolment and conditions of a Visa for those students who may have arrived from overseas, VEVO checks of Visas via the Department of Home Affairs were often performed by Hanya Senjov at Learning Diversity (MACS). DOBCEL has now acquired a VEVO registration and all Visa checks will now be performed by the DOBCEL office.
To complete a VEVO check, schools must provide either a passport number and family name or an ImmiCard, and requests can be sent to Tina Munro, Executive Assistant to Deputy Director: Catholic Education.
COVID-19 Update
We are aware of instances of COVID-19 presenting again in our local communities. To enable schools to manage this appropriately, please refer to the below FAQ.
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, do they need to isolate?
It is recommended that you should isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms anymore. This means you should not go to work, school or grocery shopping, especially if you work with people at a higher risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19. (Source: Vic.Gov.au Coronavirus)
The 5 days are from when your COVID-19 symptoms started and/or you tested positive for COVID-19.
Does this count as Personal (Sick) Leave or Infectious Diseases Leave?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you can apply for Infectious Diseases Leave by emailing your Principal (or their delegate). The email should advise when you tested positive for COVID-19 (date), when your isolation will end and when you should be able to return to work/school. You should attach relevant evidence if you have it (eg a medical certificate, test results from a GP or testing centre, or a statutory declaration).
What if I am still sick after the recommended 5 days of isolation?
If you are still having symptoms at the end of the recommended 5 days of isolation and are feeling unwell, you should seek medical advice. If the medical advice is that you are unfit for work, you can apply for personal (sick) leave with a medical certificate.
Does the Principal need to inform the school community?
No, however, it is advisable that you inform staff who may be a close contact (that is, they have been in close contact with them 2 days before their symptoms started or before testing).
When I return to school, do I need to wear a mask or take other precautions?
A negative RAT result is a helpful tool to determine whether you are still infectious. Employees should wear a face mask when they leave home for at least 7 days after testing positive as you may still be infectious.
Feedback from DLG Meeting
I thought I would share a piece of feedback received from the Horsham community following our last DLG meeting.
Last night the Horsham Christian Emergency Food Centre had their 25th Anniversary Dinner at our church. One of the volunteers who was working on the day that you dropped off the left-over lunch packs and slices shared with me how it was very much a 'God thing' that you happened to come when you did. They had just received an order for a food parcel for a family of nine and all of a sudden you rocked up with all that food so they were able to provide not just non-perishable food items but also the fresh sandwiches/wraps that you had delivered to them.