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 of 23 September 2020.
On This Page
Current Advice For Schools
On 19 August 2020, NSW Health placed tighter restrictions on school operations for six weeks to assist NSW based schools to remain COVID-19 Safe. These restrictions are detailed in the New Restrictions for NSW Catholic Schools document.
The new restrictions do not apply to the ACT schools, though ACT Catholic School Principals may decide to adopt all or parts of these restrictions.
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.
School Closure Advice
If a school is temporarily closed we will follow this process:
Protocol for temporary school closure due to COVID-19
Current Health Advice For Schools
For detailed information if you have questions regarding school activities, gatherings etc, please refer to:
Roadmap for the Easing of Restrictions
New Restrictions for NSW Catholic Schools
Hotspots and Quarantine
We request our community follow the advice of ACT and NSW Health in determining whether you should not attend a school for a period of time such as 14 days and/or be tested for COVID-19.
Please see the following web pages for further information:
When to Stay Home From School
Please keep your child at home if they are showing any symptoms of sickness.
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. Please notify the school.
You can find information about testing locations below:
NSW COVID-19 testing locations
ACT COVID-19 testing locations
School Excursions, Events and Activities
In Term 3, school based activities in the ACT and NSW have recommenced, as long as the following measures are observed:
- All visitors and external providers must adhere to relevant hygiene, distancing and safety protocols.
- Principals may continue to restrict, limit or prohibit activities, following current health advice.
- Non-essential adults are still not permitted on school grounds or at school events.
The tighter restrictions on NSW school operations is impacting whole of school learning activities, inter-school sporting activities, school graduations, school functions, playgroups and school choirs.
Detailed information can be found on the Roadmap for the Easing of Restrictions and New Restrictions for NSW Catholic Schools 19 August 20.
End of Year Events in Catholic Schools in the ACT
The Chief Health Officer has issued guidance which sets out the considerations for all schools in planning end of year events, including for formals and graduation ceremonies.
Public Health Directions have been modified to allow end of year events to take place on school grounds (if schools wish) as well as at non-school venues, if the number of attendees is less than 100.
All events should be less than two hours where possible, especially when involving the wider school community such as parents and carers or when located indoors. Student-only events may go for longer.
If parents and carers are invited, density and gathering restrictions for adults on site will apply (this excludes staff and students). If parents and carers are not invited, there will be no gathering restrictions and the school’s usual policies apply.
Events should only include students from the same school. If schools have a relationship with another school, where the students interact on an ongoing basis, consideration could be given to hosting a joint event. Dancing is only permitted where all students at the event are from the same school.
Events such as graduations and assemblies must be seated and seats should be set up in a way that provides physical distancing of 1.5 metres between adults or household groups.
Schools are encouraged to collect RSVPs and issue tickets for events in order to manage attendee numbers.
End of Year Events in NSW Catholic Schools
The NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced today, that NSW schools will receive a COVID-19 safety plan guidance for Year 12 graduations and school formals by 11 September.
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 & Goulburn, is focusing on maintaining the best possible hygiene standards for staff and students. All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn have been asked to ensure school-wide hygiene practices (such as hand washing) are in place, encouraged and maintained, and that signage is displayed around good hand hygiene, preventing the spread of germs, coughing and sneezing.
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 7 September 2020.