Mother Teresa School Harrison
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40 Wimmera St
Harrison ACT 2914
Subscribe: https://mtsharrison.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: office.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6241 5604

COVID Update

As we return to school for Term 2, ACT Health COVID-19 guidelines have changed for schools.  Mother Teresa's priority will be to deliver on-campus learning with COVID smart measures in place to minimise transmission of COVID-19 onsite.  Mother Teresa will regularly review, and update where required, our approach to managing COVID-19 as appropriate.  Our approach is informed by the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care Settings, and the latest advice on winter season preparedness from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. 

The following is a brief outline of changes for Term 2 2022.

Check in requirements

Digital check in with the Check In CBR app is no longer required for staff and students. However, QR codes will continue to be available for voluntary use, including for community hirers holding events on school sites.

Masks

The use of face masks has been eased from Term 2. Staff, students and visitors are not required to wear masks on school or ELC sites. (Masks will need to be worn if a person is a close household contact of a positive COVID case – see below.)

Cohorting

Cohorting will no longer be required. However, schools are advised to where possible minimise the length of time or number of students involved in organised activities that bring mixed groups together.

Physical distancing   

Physical distancing should be maintained on school sites where possible. Density quotients no longer apply.

Parents and carers on school sites

  • Parents and carers can attend outdoor areas of the school/ELC site for drop off and pick up, or when attending a permitted activity to be advised by the school.
  • Parents and carers can enter school/ELC classrooms or indoor settings with an appointment,  including to access enrolment support, or when attending a permitted activity.  Parents and carers can book an appointment with their school/ELC.
  • Parents and carers must follow COVID smart measures (physical distancing, hygiene practices, staying away if unwell).

Staying home when sick and hygiene requirements - Staff, students and visitors must not attend school or ELC sites if they are unwell and will be sent home if they any have symptoms of COVID-19.  All staff, visitors and students should, at all times, maintain appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene.

Close Household Contacts

Household contacts will not have to quarantine if they have no COVID-19 symptoms but will need to comply with the following requirements for seven days from the time the first person in their household tests positive for COVID‑19:

  • Advise ACT Health that they are a household contact by completing a COVID-19 online declaration form.
  • Wear a face mask in all indoor spaces when outside of the home, if aged 12 years and over.
  • Students study from home, where it is practical to do so.
  • Parents/Carers notify the school of their child being a household contact via the school COVID email - covid.motherteresa@cg.catholic.edu.au. Don't forget to submit an absentee note via COMPASS.
  • If it is not practical to study from home, students must undertake COVID-19 testing and return a negative result in the 24 hours prior to returning to school and then every 48 hours if ongoing attendance is required.

Daily Reporting of COVID Cases

Schools will notify parents only if there are a significant number of cases within the community and/or a cohort.

The health and safety of students and staff remains as always our priority.  If there are high numbers of COVID-19 exposures at our school, consideration will be given to whether additional COVID-19 Safety Measures should be reintroduced, with authorisation by Catholic Education Office.  These measures aim to limit the potential for further transmission and will generally be limited to a short period of time (e.g. 1 to 2 weeks).  

  • Additional testing recommendations such as to test before returning to school/ELC and again in 48 hours.
  • Masks Staff, students in Years 7-12, and visitors may be asked to wear a mask when indoors and when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
  • Limiting parents and carers on site Parents and carers may be asked not to attend a school/ELC site without an appointment.
  • Cancelling permitted activities Any of the planned permitted activities may be cancelled or rescheduled to another date.
  • Strict Cohorting It may be necessary to cohort a particular class or year level so that they don’t mix with other students or staff across the school.
  • Remote learning Some or all students may need to return to remote learning. This measure will be limited as much as possible, however may also be enacted in response to workforce shortages arising from COVID-19.

Rapid Antigen Tests
Our school/ELC will have access to Rapid Antigen Tests for distribution as needed and requested by parents. Parents or students who are symptomatic should not attend the school/ELC to collect a Rapid Antigen Test. Those families are encouraged to access testing through an ACT Health testing facility.

I look forward to working with you as we continue to manage COVID-19 and acknowledge that educating your children is as always our priority.