COVID-19 Update CE Director September 14

Year 12 Students

All Catholic Education Year 12 students can return to on-campus learning at the start of Term 4, which begins on Tuesday 5 October. We look forward to welcoming your young person back to our College.

All school-based staff and Year 12 students have now been prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination. If your young person has not yet booked their vaccination we encourage them to do so. Bookings for Year 12 students can be made by calling the COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 5124 7700 daily between 7 am-7 pm and notifying the booking operator of your priority category (i.e. being a Year 12 student).

Our school will have measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These include promoting good hand and respiratory hygiene, requiring physical distancing for adults onsite, regular cleaning and disinfecting, requiring staff and students to stay home if unwell and promoting ventilation. Students and staff will be required to wear masks in line with public health directions.

Remote learning is continuing for Catholic Education students in Kindergarten to Year 10 during the first four weeks of Term 4. 

Year 11 Students

The intent is for our Year 11 students to continue with remote learning at the beginning of term and then return to on-campus learning from Week 3 (Monday 18 October) as long as health conditions hold. This will allow you to complete course work and assessments that contribute to your senior secondary certificate. Catholic Education is currently clarifying the impact of this decision on Year 11 students who are in classes with Year 12 students. They will have further advice in the coming days. 

Our school will have measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These include promoting good hand and respiratory hygiene, requiring physical distancing for adults onsite, regular cleaning and disinfecting, requiring staff and students to stay home if unwell and promoting ventilation. Students in Years 7-12, and all school staff, will be required to wear masks in line with public health directions.

Vaccination appointments are available for young people 16 years and over. If you have not yet booked your vaccination we encourage you to do so. Getting vaccinated protects you, your family and the whole community. You can find more information about the vaccination program and how to book on the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website.

Years 7-10 Students

Following advice from the ACT Government and Chief Health Officer, remote learning will continue for all Catholic Education students in Years 7-10 during the first four weeks of Term 4, which begins on Tuesday 5 October.

Catholic Education will be working over the school holidays to develop further plans for a phased return to on-campus learning in Term 4 when it is safe to do so. Any plans will of course be completely subject to health advice, including in relation to case numbers and vaccination rates.

While I am sure this news will be disappointing to some, the Chief Health Officer has made this decision based on what we know about the COVID-19 outbreak in our community. The health and safety of students, staff and their families is our number one priority.

During remote learning, our school will continue to remain open for children who need to attend school. Those students will be supervised as they access the same remote learning program as their classmates.

From Monday 20 September all children in the ACT aged 12 years and over will be able to book a Pfizer vaccination appointment at an ACT Government clinic. There are two vaccines approved for 12- to 15-year-olds in Australia, with Pfizer available from participating GPs already, and Moderna expected to be available at participating pharmacies from 20 September.

You can find more information about the vaccination program and how to book on the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website.

Please remember that the most important thing you can do is support your child’s wellbeing. Keep in mind that children can express their feelings in many ways. I encourage you to speak openly with your children about how they are feeling.

If your child requires extra help and assistance, counselling is available through CatholicCare. To access the service, a booking request may be made by contacting (02) 6162 6100.

 

You can keep up to date with the latest health information, advice and resources on the ACT’s COVID-19 website www.covid19.act.gov.au

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