COVID-19 Information and Updates
NEW UPDATES FOR TERM 2 – 2022
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.
Current status: as at 14 June 2022.
Staff and Service Provider Vaccination Reporting Portal
School Roadmap & Advice
ACT
- ACT Roadmap – Download PDF
- ACT FAQ’s – View
NSW
- NSW Roadmap – Download PDF
For Positive COVID Cases
If there is a positive case in your child’s class or year group, your child can continue to attend school (K-12).
If a student or staff member receives a positive RAT test, they need to:
- record the positive RAT result:
- In NSW: Service NSW websiteExternal linkor Service NSW appExternal link
- In ACT: ACT COVID-19 website
- notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR test result as soon as possible
- Isolate for 7 days and follow the advice of ACT / NSW Health.
Negative results do not need to be reported to Health Authorities NSW or to the school.
Schools will inform their community if a cluster of COVID-19 is detected or developing at the school and guide families on Health advice, including monitoring for symptoms. Parents should expect communication with details of any impacted year groups or cohorts should this occur.
Wellbeing Resources
As COVID-19 continues to impact our daily lives, we believe it is vital to address any concerns for the mental and emotional health of our school communities. Catholic Education has highly effective student support structures and resources in place to help build students’ resilience. These may also assist to alleviate any anxiety or concerns related to COVID-19 and its impact. They include:
- Counsellors who provide skilled, student and family centred support in all primary and secondary schools. CatholicCare and Marymead counsellors offer much of this support.
- Highly-trained student wellbeing personnel who continue to provide support to our schools.
Talking to Your Child About COVID-19
Children and young people, while not considered to be in a high risk category, may be exposed to news reports, social media and general discussions about unfolding events. Parent resources are available to help guide the conversation around coronavirus.
Catholic Education has prepared a general information sheet on Looking after Yourself During Lockdown.
School.tv has released a helpful short video that contains helpful details on how to talk to your child about the pandemic. Other resources to guide the conversation include:
- Child Mind Institute: ‘Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus’
- UNICEF Australia: ‘How to talk to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19)’
- Australian Psychology Society: Tips for coping with coronavirus anxiety
- Psychology Today: ‘How to talk to kids and teens’
For advice on maintaining positive mental health, Beyond Blue, Headspace and Reachout are all reliable sources.
The Smiling Mind app is a free tool to promote mindfulness and also includes information on how to support children in times of crisis.
Support is also available through the following phone counselling services:
- 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
Government Resources
- ACT Government COVID-19 Education Videos
- e-Safety for Catholic Schools
- Cover your cough
- Hand washing
- Hand Sanitiser
Important Links
More information is available from various agencies following the links below:
- Australian Government Department of Health
- NSW Health
- ACT Health
- ACT Education Directorate
- NSW Department of Education
- Australian Government Services Australia
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)
- Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment