This page provides up to date information and ongoing updates regarding COVID-19. Information has been collated from the relevant government agencies including ACT and NSW Health.
Each section was reviewed on Monday, 15 March 2021.
Current status: as of 20 April 2021.
On This Page
Current Advice For Schools
Catholic Education has outlined the current requirements for ACT and NSW Schools in the ‘Summary of Requirements for Our Schools in the ACT and NSW’ document and the New Restrictions for NSW Catholic Schools document.
Useful resources can be found on the NSW Education and ACT Education websites. These pages are updated regularly.
ACT: There are no schools affected by COVID-19 and no temporary closures.
NSW: There are no schools affected by COVID-19 and no temporary closures.
If we keep being diligent and follow the public health advice, we can continue to keep our schools, students and staff safe.
For more information about interstate areas that have had recent COVID-19 cases and symptoms to monitor, visit:
School Closure Advice
If a school is temporarily closed we will follow this process:
Protocol for temporary school closure due to COVID-19
Hotspots and Quarantine
We encourage you to be mindful of travel to COVID affected areas given the possibility this may require you to quarantine at a later stage. If you travelled interstate, monitor the COVID-19 website of the state or territory you visited for two weeks after returning to see if there have been any new cases in locations you have visited. Keep up to date and follow the website’s advice about testing and self-isolation – if required.
If you reside/work in the ACT and have travelled to a NSW COVID-19 affected area, you must comply with ACT Health quarantine requirements. Please advise your school if your child is in quarantine, so this can be recorded for attendance. If you had interstate friends and family visit, ensure they keep you up to date if they are feeling unwell or if there are any new positive COVID cases reported in their area.
Please follow the advice of ACT and NSW Health in determining whether you need to self isolate for a determined period of time or be tested for COVID-19. This advice will also determine whether your child is able to attend school.
Please see the following web pages for further information:
There have been a number of hotspots identified in NSW and QLD. Please check these locations if you have travelled to these regions and follow appropriate ACT and NSW Health advice.
When to Stay Home From School
Please keep your child at home if they are showing any symptoms of sickness. If they have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms, they should be tested just in case and self-isolate until they receive their results. Please notify the school.
If your child develops any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath:
- Call your GP in the first instance. By calling your GP before arriving they can take appropriate infection control measures.
- Notify the school.
- In the event of an emergency please dial 000.
Where students and staff are absent or sent home due to flu-like symptoms, they should be tested for COVID-19.
You can find information about testing locations below:
NSW COVID-19 testing locations
ACT COVID-19 testing locations
School Excursions, Events and Activities
A ‘Summary of Requirements for Our Schools in the ACT and NSW’ has been released. These are similar to Term 4, 2020 where:
- School excursions may be conducted within the local area. Interstate excursions are subject to the location being visited and restrictions in effect at the time.
- Whole of school assemblies may take place. Attendance of parents and carers is dependent on restrictions in effect at the time and available venue space. Parents and carers must sign in, socially distance and follow the school’s COVID-19 protocols.
- School sporting activities may occur, although there may be restrictions on spectator numbers if held on school grounds. Where a sporting event, such as a swimming carnival is held at an external venue, schools must comply with the venue’s COVID-19 protocols.
- Parents and carers are required to sign in when visiting a school for longer than 15 minutes. Anyone who is unwell should not enter the school.
School Drop Off and Pick Up
Parents and carers are now able to enter schools in the ACT and NSW adhering to the school’s COVID-19 protocols. In addition to signing in and out, per normal school procedures, parents and carers are encouraged to use the QR codes when entering schools to collect or drop off their children, when attending meetings or assisting with school activities.
Transport
Bus services to and from schools are scheduled to run as normal. For travel advice to and from school, refer to Transport Canberra and Transport NSW or seek advice from your school.
Hygiene and Social Distancing
Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, is focused on maintaining the highest standards of hygiene possible for staff and students. All of our Catholic schools have been asked to ensure school-wide hygiene practices are in place, encouraged and maintained. Signage promoting good hand hygiene, prevention of the spread of germs and correct procedures for coughing and sneezing are displayed.
Physical distancing of children in schools in not required under the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee Guidelines (AHPPCH).
All adults must maintain physical distance from each other (1.5m) including teachers, support staff and parents.
We are conducting additional cleaning of schools in accordance with the AHPPCH Guidelines and the advice of ACT and NSW Health.
Resources
ACT Government COVID-19 Education Videos
Online and Interactive Resources for Physical Education, Health and Road Safety
2020 Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom
Important Links
More information is available from various agencies following the links below:
Australian Government Department of Health
Australian Government Services Australia – Centrelink
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment
COVID-19 Hotlines
If you need advice or have questions concerning COVID-19 please contact:
ACT COVID-19 Hotline – (02) 6207 7244 between 8am and 8pm daily.
For NSW please refer to:
National Coronavirus Health Information Line – 1800 020 080
In the event of a medical emergency, please call 000.
Mental Health Support
During this difficult time remember to reach out for support available to you and your children. This support can be provided by your school and is also available from the following specialist providers:
CatholicCare – (02) 6162 6100
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Mensline – 1300 789 978
Visit the Headspace website
The information on this page is current as of 29 January 2021.