Return to full-time face-to-face learning guidelines for school staff - IEU NSW / ACT
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Return to full-time face-to-face learning
guidelines for school staff
In line with health advice, schools are continuing to operate full time, with many additional
activities having now recommenced.
All schools have returned to full-time on-campus learning. With updated health advice and changes
to state and national restrictions, schools have recommenced the majority of school-based activities.
This guide details a limited number of activities that remain under consideration.
The following principles underpin these guidelines:
• Schools continue to be safe and operations are in line with AHPPC and NSW Health guidelines.
• All students should be learning on-campus unless they are unwell or have a medical certificate
to support their absence.
• Existing infection control protocols at schools, and new health and safety measures put in place
will help maintain the health and safety of students and staff.
• All activities permitted at school are safe and appropriate in a living with COVID-19
environment.
• Schools continue to monitor and plan for any changes in local circumstances that may arise,
including changes in health advice or local restrictions.
Guidance for community use and visitors to the school
• Principals must ensure that all users of school facilities and visitors to the school site are
aware of the physical distancing, health and hygiene measures required by the school, and
receive written confirmation of this understanding. Please familiarise yourself with the
Community use and visitor guidelines where you can also download the relevant
acknowledgement form and ensure it is signed by each user and visitor.
• Parents and carers who need to be on site for canteen or uniform shop purposes, or for other
purposes where they are providing a service, must sign the visitor acknowledgement form.
• Non-essential adults are still not permitted on school grounds or at school events. This
includes parents and carers except for face-to-face parent/teacher meetings that are essential
(e.g. to discuss disciplinary or other welfare matters).
• Construction and maintenance providers may attend schools for asset-related activities.
• Schools as Community Centres and school or community run playgroups may continue. Note
the number of adults and social interactions between participants outside of program
activities should be minimised. Program activities are to be kept separate from the school to
minimise interaction between adults and other school staff. Records of attendance must be
kept via completion of the visitor acknowledgement form.
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
• P&F meetings should continue on-line where possible. P&F run activities involving gatherings
should continue to be discouraged to minimise the number of non-essential adults on the
school site.
• Community use of school facilities is able to recommence in schools including activities
involving general adult attendance (such as community markets). The organiser remains
responsible for compliance with distancing and hygiene requirements aligned with the health
advice of the day. Principals must ensure that all users of school facilities and visitors to the
school site are aware of the distancing, health and hygiene measures required by the school,
and receive written confirmation of this understanding. Please familiarise yourself with the
Community use and visitor guidelines where you can also download the relevant
acknowledgement form and ensure it is signed by each user and visitor.
• Principals may continue to restrict, limit or prohibit activities if deemed to be contrary to the
advice of the day, and should escalate any issues or concerns to their Director, Educational
Leadership
Safety and hygiene
Physical distancing is not required for students
Physical distancing of children in schools is not required by the AHPPC guidelines. Research has
shown limited transmission risk associated with school children in the school environment.
Physical distancing requirements remain for adults
Schools must strongly promote to all staff the need to remain vigilant and take all precautions to
minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our schools and when out in the community. When
physical distancing is combined with good personal hygiene, the spread of illness and infection can
be slowed. Staff should exercise good personal hygiene and cleanliness including around staff spaces
and shared usage areas.
Familiarise yourself with Physical distancing guidelines (TAB B). All adults must maintain physical
distance from each other (1.5m) including teachers, support staff, and visitors.
Schools should limit the number of staff in common spaces and staffrooms and avoid shared items
as much as possible.
Non-essential visitors to schools should not be allowed.
Schools should ensure school pick up and drop off arrangements enable parents to physically
distance from one another and from staff. Schools should consider strategies to avoid large
congregations during school pick up and drop offs.
Hygiene measures
School must remain vigilant in applying infection control and personal hygiene practices while at
school. Schools must continue to promote and encourage regular washing of hands, exclusion of
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
any staff and students who are unwell, avoiding the sharing of food and personal items and cleaning
of any shared items such as musical instruments, learning and sporting equipment between uses.
Refer to the Practical infection control guides to help schools implement infection control measures
and to maintain safe and healthy work environments.
Students should continue to bring water bottles from home to fill at water bubblers rather than
drink directly from the bubbler
School activities
Activities that have recommenced in our schools
• Library access ensuring supervisors/staff maintain physical distancing. Refer to document
distributed 8 July.
• School sporting activities including all contact sports and inter school sport competitions. Refer
to document distributed 8 July.
• Choirs and performing arts including interschool activities such as debating, public speaking
and performing arts.
• School assemblies (limited to 15 minutes and no external visitors)
• All curricular and extra-curricular programs or services delivered by Diocesan staff, itinerant
support staff and other Diocesan employees
• Allied health providers, wellbeing and case management professionals (including NDIS
suppliers and health programs such as student vaccination programs and dental health
programs)
• Practicum teaching for tertiary education students
• Incursions/external adult providers to support delivery of curriculum (e.g. music tutors, sport
skills development programs, science demonstrations, drama tutors, Healthy Harold) and day
field trips to outdoor locations that require minimal physical distancing considerations (e.g.
sport and recreation facilities, trips to local river to collect water samples)
• Official visitors and dignitaries (consistent with current protocols)
• School photos (Staff photos can be taken where physical distancing requirements are able to
be met).
• Professional learning, meetings and planning activities. Preference remains for these activities
to be conducted via online learning where possible. In limited situations where online
technology is unable to deliver learning activities (for example in some practical skills training),
face to face activities can recommence where physical distancing requirements can be met.
• Year 11 and 12 students attending classes/activities relating to subjects only available on other
campuses
• Schools may engage an external provider to deliver the White Card training in line with the
external provider guidelines, and only where essential
• Trade Training Centres
• Face-to-face TAFE attendance
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
• School-based apprenticeships and traineeships, work experience and VET work placements can
proceed subject to the availability of placement and appropriate risk assessments. For any that
can't proceed, please see the NESA website where relevant
• VET work placements can proceed subject to the availability of placement and appropriate risk
assessments. For any that can't proceed, please see the NESA website
• School-based apprenticeships and traineeships can recommence once the relevant workplaces
are back in operation
• Students may attend other schools for essential curriculum related reasons or placements (e.g.
auditions or placement tests or Year 7 orientation). For Year 7 orientation, schools should
implement measures to reduce the mixing of students from different schools and maintain
attendance records of participating students.
Activities on hold until further notice
A small number of activities remain on hold and will be reconsidered during Term 3.
• Kindergarten orientation
• School camps
• Excursions (other than field trips explained above)
• Interstate excursions
• International excursions (cancelled until further notice)
• Gathering of large groups of staff (from either one school or from multiple schools) for face to
face conferences, all day professional learning activities, meetings or planning sessions. Refer
to the Physical distancing guidelines.
• Parent and carer attendance at assemblies and other school events (schools may consider
planning Year 12 graduation ceremonies adopting current restrictions and considering best and
worst case scenarios or delaying until later in the year . Further advice will be issued if
restrictions are relaxed later in the term)
• Parent and carer volunteers – e.g. parent reading helpers (note: canteen and uniform shop
volunteers are permitted)
• School-based activities that involve large gathering of adults. These include parent/community
gatherings such as parent functions, working bees, fundraisers, school BBQs, large parent
information evenings, and large on-site cultural events.
• Certain large arts and sports events are cancelled or delayed. Many large-scale arts events and
sports tournaments rely upon feeder activities and have long-lead time organisational
arrangements. As a consequence, a number of annual activities are planned to be delayed or
cancelled (refer to Impacts on arts and sports events programs)
Attendance and roll marking
All students should be either:
• at school
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
• at home because they are currently unwell
• at home because they have a medical certificate which states that they are unable to return to
school due to an ongoing medical condition (or in limited cases where a family member has an
ongoing medical condition)
If parents believe that their child has a condition which means it’s not safe for them to return to
school, they will need to provide a medical certificate. These are likely to be children that are at
higher risk of severe illness if they contracted COVID-19.
Schools should encourage these families to speak with their doctor or health care provider to
develop COVID-19 Action Plan to support decision making about their activities, including
attendance at school. Where there are only a few cases in the local community, the actual risk of
getting COVID-19 is low. Further information is available from the AHPPC resource Living Well in the
COVID-19 pandemic
Students in a higher risk group can return to school with the written support of their health care
provider.
Please note, students who are residing with a family member who is identified as being at higher risk
should attend school unless a medical practitioner advises otherwise. The parent or carer should
provide written confirmation from the treating health professional that the student is unable to
attend school and for what period of time.
If students are away from school because they are unwell, there is no expectation that they
complete school work. It is important that unwell students rest.
If students cannot attend school due to a long term illness or underlying health condition, as is
current practice, schools will continue to be responsible for providing work for students for the
period they are prevented from being at school.
Individual schools should work with parents to determine how to best meet student's needs in these
circumstances.
If a student falls ill while at school, current first aid procedures apply including contacting the
student's parent or carer or emergency contact, to collect the student. Schools should work with
families to ensure all emergency contacts are up to date.
Recording absences, medical certificates and case management
If a student is absent for more than three days without a medical certificate, this will be recorded as
an unauthorised absence and followed up by the school.
In relation to medical certificates, if there is an ongoing pattern of poor attendance and major
concerns, under chapter 16a of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1999, the
principal can contact the GP to discuss the matter. Principals will need to provide evidence of their
concern.
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
If students have not returned to school, a compassionate and common sense approach should be
used. Schools should work with work with the student and their parent/carer to put a plan in place
to support their return to school and if needed can seek support.
Our primary concern is the wellbeing and safety of the students in our care.
Staffing
Guidance on return to work
All school-based staff, including temporary and casual staff, are expected to return to working on-
campus, including those who may identify as being at higher risk of severe illness if they contract
COVID-19.
In line with updated AHPPC advice, a person may be at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19
if they fall into one of the following categories:
• people aged 70 years and over
• have a chronic health condition
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are aged 50 years and over with a chronic
medical condition, weakened immune system or who are aged 70 years and over and people
living in remote communities..
Staff who identify in one of the above categories and who live in areas where there are no or few
cases of COVID-19 and no evidence of community transmission can commence a return to work to
their usual workplace. In these situations, the risk of exposure is considered low regardless of a
person’s age or health condition.
To support their return to work, staff in these categories should consult with their health care
provider who can discuss the risks and develop an individual COVID-19 action plan. Refer to
Guidelines for staff returning to work. (TAB C)
Staff who are pregnant or are living with people in one of the above categories are expected to
return to their usual on campus workplace, or apply for appropriate leave.
Cleaning and supplies
Enhanced cleaning
Cleaning is to be delivered in line with the AHPPC guidelines and advice from NSW Health.
Target areas include high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, lockers, light switches
and handrails in stairways and movement areas. Enhanced cleaning is delivered as part of the daily
cleaning of schools.
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
Schools are now also receiving an additional clean during the day in line with AHPPC guidance. This includes cleaning frequently touched areas in bathrooms after recess, as well as replenishing supplies such as soap and hand towels that are provided by the school. High touch surfaces such as balustrades and handrails in the playground and stairwells are also wiped with disinfectant. As per normal operational restrictions, a cleaner cannot enter a classroom during school hours and while students are in the classroom. During the day, teachers should encourage students to use disinfectant products to wipe down their own learning spaces after each lesson or learning period. This cleaning regime will remain in place until the end of Term 3, 2020, or until such time as changes in the health advice permit. Essential school supplies As always, schools are responsible for sourcing necessary products using existing processes, but due to high demand and supply constraints the Department of Education has provided access to a range of products, including soap, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and personal protective equipment. Schools can continue to source hygiene products through the Department of Education directly using a dedicated email address for non-government schools. This email address is School.Supplies@det.nsw.edu.au. Reporting suspected COVID-19 cases Schools should report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to your Diocesan office (Systemic schools) or Catholic Schools NSW (RI and PJP schools) and contact the local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 to provide details so that the Public Health Unit can follow up as necessary Responding to COVID-19 cases NSW Health has in place protocols to guide schools through the contact tracing process and communication with the school community. The school may need to be non-operational for a day or two and the school will be thoroughly cleaned prior to on-site learning resuming. If a school becomes non-operational ensure the clean is delivered in line with the AHPPC guidelines and advice from NSW Health. Boarding schools The Boarding school guidelines (TAB E) have been updated to include additional restrictions applicable to students returning to boarding schools for the start of term 3. TAB A Updated 16 July 2020
Wellbeing
Diocesan and RI and PJP Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) offers a range of support including:
o General counselling
o Post-incident support services
Please discuss with your Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) their capacity to provide EAP services
remotely. Be assured that these services are still in place and available 24/7
Early Childhood Education and OOSHC
Early childhood education and care services including out of school hours care play a vital role in our
communities. Preschools and OOSHC services will remain open, operating within the same
guidelines as Catholic schools.
TAB A Updated 16 July 2020Physical distancing - practical guide for staff
To support schools in managing physical distancing in the school environment between staff and
other visitors such as parents and carers, there are some simple and practical measures that can be
implemented and maintained in daily practices to minimise the risk of the spread of infection and
illness to maintain a healthy working and learning environment.
For all staff
• Stay at home when unwell. Staff are expected to stay away from school when unwell or if they
become unwell during the day.
o Notify your school leadership if you become unwell during the day and need to go
home.
o If you do have symptoms, get tested and stay at home.
o Only return to work when you have fully recovered.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. The most important action you can take is to
practice good hand hygiene.
o Maintaining good personal hand hygiene is the single most effective way to reduce the
risk of transmission.
o Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser between providing support to students. Avoid
touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
o Encourage students and colleagues to implement hand hygiene practices at regular
intervals throughout the day.
• Maintain respiratory hygiene. Cover your cough or sneeze through coughing or sneezing into
your elbow or tissue, and then disposing of tissues immediately. Always wash your hands after
you have coughed, sneezed or blown your nose.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids. Not
every activity or person contact will require PPE, consider the activity being conducted and
decide whether PPE is required based on the level of exposure to bodily fluids. Refer to
infection control guidance material on distributed previously.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing means the requirement for people to distance themselves from others. The more
space between you and another adult, the harder it is for the virus to spread. All adults within our
schools must maintain a physical distance from each other. It includes physical distancing between
staff, teacher’s aides and other support staff within the school. It also includes physical distancing
between staff and other visitors to the school site, such as parents and essential service providers.
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020The following information provides guidance to staff on ways to implement physical distancing in
their everyday work practices. This information compliments the Infection Control Practical Guides
distributed by CSNSW that assists schools to identify measures across the school environment to
reduce the spread of infection and illness and maintain a healthy work environment.
These resources include:
• Infection Control Practical guide for classroom teachers
• Infection Control Practical guide for school environments
• Infection Control Practical guide for librarians
• Infection Control Practical guide for staff working in SSP and Support Units
• Infection Control Practical guide for shared vehicles
• Infection Control Practical guide for sport and physical activity
• Infection Control Practical guide for Creative Arts
General guidance for all staff
Some general physical distance practices all staff should implement include:
• Combine physical distancing with good personal hygiene practices.
• Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from all other adults at all times.
• Do not shake hands or hug to greet colleagues or visitors to the workplace.
• Minimise the number of adults in an area or classroom at any one time to only those that are
required to be there.
• Where possible conduct discussions outside and use alternate methods of communication
phone calls and virtual technology for essential meetings and discussions.
• Establish alternative methods of communication across the school and within faculties.
• Do not host meetings with large numbers of staff. If larger numbers are required to gather,
use outdoor locations or large rooms where a distance of 1.5 meters between staff can be
maintained and limit meeting times to less than one hour.
• Place signage about physical distancing around the school in higher density staff areas.
Regularly remind staff of the importance of physical distancing as a means to reduce the risk of
illness and infection.
• Do not go out for coffee, lunch, dinners or drinks in large numbers or in crowded indoor and
outdoor locations. When attending external premises and venues, consider whether physical
distancing and other hygiene requirements are being practised and choose an alternative
location if you do not believe you can maintain personal hygiene and physical distancing
requirements.
• Ensure you sign in to all external venue locations so you can be contacted if there is a
confirmed case of COVID-19 identified and contact tracing is required. Ask to have your
information recorded by the venue if it is not requested as part of the entry requirements.
Staff are reminded to practice physical distancing in key areas of the school
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020Physical distancing in staffrooms
Continue to use staff rooms with measures put in place to minimise the number of staff within the
room at any one time to maintain physical distancing.
Consider the following:
• Implement a roster system for access to common areas and staffrooms.
• Use classrooms and other teaching and learning spaces where possible to minimise the
number of staff in one location.
• Do not share personal items, such as mugs and cutlery, wash your own items immediately after
use and store them away appropriately.
• Implement environmental cleaning protocols, including wiping down high touch services such
as photocopiers, kitchen benches, common sitting areas, shared equipment and other items.
Physical distancing in teaching and learning environments, including libraries
• Make use of the space in the classroom or learning space to minimise interaction with other
staff.
• Maintain the minimum distance of 1.5m from other staff when supervising sport and physical
activities in schools.
Physical distancing in the playground
• Maintain the minimum distance of 1.5m from other staff while on playground duty.
Physical distancing when providing routine care
• Staff should continue to provide routine care and support to students such as with feeding,
toileting and administration of health care procedures according to the school’s regular
routines with no requirement for physical distancing to be in place.
• Where more than one staff member is required for the support of students such as assisted
walking and moving a student using a hoist, staff should maintain physical distancing between
each other where possible.
• The appropriate use of personal protective equipment when administering medication is
required in instances where there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
Physical distancing when providing first aid
• Staff should continue to provide first aid according to the school’s regular routines and first aid
arrangements, including use of appropriate PPE.
• Arrangements need to be made for staff and students who become unwell during the day to
leave the school and return to their homes.
• Ensure physical distancing is maintained with parents and carers as the student is collected and
maintain procedures for the signing out of students online where possible.
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020Physical distancing at school drop off and pick up times
• Identify areas where students can be safely dropped off and picked up under appropriate
supervision avoiding the need for parents or carers to enter the school where possible.
• Maintain a physical distance from other staff and from adults such as parents and carers at
school pickup and drop-off times.
• Communicate these arrangements across your school community.
Physical distancing in the canteen and uniform shops
• All adults working in these environments must maintain a physical distance from each other.
• Limit the number of people working in the space and organise activities which allow those
working to maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from each other.
• Communicate with those working at the school the expectation they will comply with the 1.5m
physical distancing requirements.
Physical distancing in your community
• Use technology for parent and carer meetings where possible. If this is not possible, conduct
these meetings face to face in a room with staggered sessions and which allows for physical
distancing between adults. The length of time adults are in an enclosed space must be limited
to no more than 1 hour where possible.
• Ensure procedures for parents and carers signing in and out of school are maintained online
where possible.
Professional learning, meetings and planning activities
• Professional learning, meetings and planning activities can recommence with preference for
these activities to be conducted via online learning wherever possible.
• Gathering of large groups of staff (from either one school or from multiple schools) for face-to-
face conferences, all day professional learning activities, meetings or planning sessions remains
on hold.
• In limited situations where online technology is unable to deliver learning activities (for
example in some practical skills training), face-to-face activities can recommence given
consideration to the following requirements:
• Interactions between cohorts of staff from any one school must be avoided or minimised
where possible.
• Interactions between staff from different schools must be avoided.
• The number of participants in any activity or gathering should be minimised and group work
must be avoided.
• The length of time staff are in an enclosed space must be limited to no more than 1 hour
where possible
• Physical distancing and personal hygiene requirements must be adhered to at all times.
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020• A list of all people participating (including both staff and other adults) must be maintained
including contact details in case they are required for contact tracing.
• If using an external venue or provider, the venue and/or the provider will need to confirm they
have reviewed the current NSW Public Health requirements and adhere to relevant industry
COVID-19 safety plan requirements. (Note: Schools should ensure they meet the requirements
outlined above for professional learning, meetings and planning activities in addition to any
safety measures in place with an external venue or provider.)
Any staff professional learning activities, including those delivered by Diocesan staff (for example
from School Services personnel), need to comply with the above requirements.
Planning large school or student events
Large events like Year 12 graduation ceremonies can now be considered. Schools may need to plan
events for Term 4 rather than late in Term 3 due to the risk of community transmission across NSW.
School sanctioned events both on and off site will need to adhere to physical distancing and hygiene
requirements that are in place at the time the event is held. The physical distancing requirements for
schools will mainly be applicable to the staff and other adults on site. See above for more about staff
physical distancing policies.
Schools should create a best and worst case plan in case of any changes to restrictions that are in
place at the time.
When planning Year 12 events, schools should consider costs and cancellation policies. Often
deposits are non-refundable if events need to be cancelled closer to the date. These options should
be discussed with the providers at the time of booking. Students and parents or carers should be
made aware of any potential changes to plans including costs that may be incurred if an event is not
able to proceed
All events, including those held on a school site or at external venues, will need to comply with
current Public Health Orders. This includes meeting health, hygiene and physical distancing
requirements, restrictions on the number of people in attendance at the event, and record keeping
requirements.
Schools may need to consider alternatives to one large graduation ceremony for all students and
their families. This may include limiting the number of family members per students able to attend
the ceremony or holding more than one ceremony.
Events must be planned to minimise interaction between parents or guests with other school staff,
students at the school and community members. Ideally, graduation events should be held outside
of school times to minimise interaction with the school and school community.
Measures to promote physical distancing among adults should be considered and planned for as
part of the event. For examples, strategies to avoid crowding both inside and outside the venue and
ensuring adequate seating to support physical distancing requirements.
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020Any catering at events will need to comply with single service options, not buffet style, and use
disposable plates and cutlery. All bins are to be lined and gloves are to be worn by those cleaning up.
Catering staff need to adhere to hygiene and social distancing measures.
If the event will include dancing, check restrictions in place at the time, ensure there is adequate
room to promote physical distancing and develop strategies to avoid crowding on any dance floor.
Schools should also communicate clearly to students and parents which events are sanctioned by
the school.
Planning for offsite school activities, school excursions and school camps
School excursions and school camps remain on hold. Updated advice on when school excursions and
camps will recommence will be communicated to all schools following discussions with NSW Health
in early Term 3.
Schools can commence planning for excursions and camps for Term 4 and for early 2021.
As schools begin planning for offsite, school activities, excursions and camps, it is advisable that they
consider a best and worst case plan should there be changes to the rules and restrictions in place to
keep the community safe.
The principals will need to ensure they have detailed in their risk management plan the following:
• strategies for responding to a person becoming unwell and requiring a COVID-19 test and
isolation while on the camp
• arrangements for parents and carers to collect an unwell child and in isolation as they will
be unable to return home using the planned transport arrangements
• compliance with NSW Public Health Orders
• personal hygiene requirements in accordance with these infection control procedures
• physical distancing requirements for all adults
• restriction on accommodation arrangements including sharing of bathrooms and other
shared facilities
• avoiding mixing of other students and staff with other schools or groups at the venue
• minimising interaction with other members of the public
• food preparation and catering arrangements to be individual serves and not buffet style
• list of all persons attending including contact details in case it is required for contact tracing
• ensure the venue is compliant with and following Public Health requirements.
When planning school camps and excursions, schools should consider costs and cancellation policies.
Often deposits are non-refundable if events need to be cancelled closer to the date. These options
should be discussed with the providers at the time of booking. Students and parents or carers should
be made aware of any potential changes to plans including costs that may be incurred if an event is
not able to proceed.
TAB B Updated 16 July 2020Guidelines for staff returning to work
The AHPPC published updated advice on 6 July 2020 about the management of health risks related
to COVID-19, supporting the return of people who may be at higher risk of severe illness to their
usual work activities.
People at increased risk of severe COVID-19 can be supported to return to their normal work
activities, particularly where there are few or no local cases of COVID-19 in their community and the
risk of contracting COVID-19 illness is low. Stringent health, hygiene and physical distancing
measures in place within our schools and workplaces provide a safe working and learning
environment for all staff including those who may be at an increased risk of severe illness should
they contract COVID-19.
These guidelines incorporate the current AHPPC advice and provide guidance to continue supporting
staff to return to work with appropriate precautions in place.
All school-based staff are expected to return to their usual workplace
All school-based staff, including temporary and casual staff, are expected to return to working on-
campus including those who may identify as being at higher risk of severe illness if they contract
COVID-19.
In line with updated AHPPC advice, a person may be at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19
if they fall into one of the following categories:
• are 70 years or over
• have a chronic health condition.
Chronic health conditions that put you at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 include:
• have had an organ transplant and are on immune suppressive therapy
• have had a bone marrow transplant in the last 24 months
• have blood cancer eg leukemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome (diagnosed within the
last 5 years)
• are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Staff who identify in one of the higher risk categories and who live in areas where there are no or
few cases of COVID-19 and no evidence of community transmission can commence a return to work
to their usual workplace. In these situations, the risk of exposure is considered low regardless of a
person’s age or health condition. Staff can speak with their doctor or health care provider who can
help them get a better idea of their risk and develop an individual COVID-19 action plan.
TAB C Updated 16 July 2020In areas where there is increasing COVID-19 cases in the local community and/or evidence of
community transmission, staff who identify in one of the higher risk categories will continue to be
supported to work from home.
To be supported to work from home, staff will need to provide written confirmation of their
circumstances to their principal or workplace manager and agree what work can be performed that
will support teaching and learning. If staff are not able to perform work from home that will support
teaching and learning, they may be required to apply for leave which may include special leave.
Normal leave management arrangements apply. Staff will need to submit the appropriate leave
application and supporting document(s).
The principal or supervisor will need to consider the individual circumstances and school operational
needs when approving leave.
Staff who are pregnant or are living with people in one of the above categories are expected to
return to their usual workplace, or apply for appropriate leave.
Locations with low case numbers and no evidence of community transmission
NSW Health publishes data on local COVID-19 transmission in each Local Government Area across
NSW. Staff can access this data on the NSW Health website. This data should be used to support
principals and staff make decisions about their return to the workplace.
Supporting staff
The AHPPC have published advice to help people to live well in the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay
COVID-19 safe, everyone should practice good hygiene and keep a physical distance from other
people.
All staff, including those who may be at an increased risk should they contract COVID-19, should
consider their personal health risks and make decisions about their activities. People who identify in
a higher risk category should consult with their doctor or health care provider who can help them
get a better idea of their risk and develop an individual COVID-19 action plan.
Employees can have confidence that their workplace is safe
In line with health advice, stringent measures are in place to provide a safe working and learning
environment for staff. This includes:
• enhanced cleaning is in place at schools,
• a first aid care pack, an essential hygiene supplies pack and ongoing critical supplies are being
delivered to schools,
• infection control procedures are in place, and
TAB C Updated 16 July 2020• appropriate protocols are in place with NSW Health to manage any confirmed cases of COVID-
19.
A range of services and programs are available to support staff including confidential counselling
services.
Download the COVIDSafe app
Use the COVIDSafe app to slow the spread of COVID-19. Download the app from the App Store for
AppleExternal link or Google Play for Android.External link
Resolving concerns and supporting employees
If you are concerned about returning to work, please speak to your principal or supervisor. You are
encouraged to refer to resources and support services available.
Any updates on this position will be communicated
This information is relevant until further notice. Should AHPPC guidelines change, we will provide an
update.
Health conditions that may result in moderate illness due to COVID-19
The AHPPC guidelines also refer to health conditions for which people may be more likely to suffer
moderate illness due to CVOID-19. These include:
• chronic kidney (renal) failure
• heart disease (coronary heart disease or failure)
• chronic lung disease, excluding mild or moderate asthma
• had non-haematological cancer (diagnosed in the last 12 months)
• diabetes
• severe obesity with a body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or more
• chronic liver disease
• some neurological conditions such as stroke or dementia
• some chronic inflammatory conditions and treatments
• other primary or acquired immunodeficiency
• poorly controlled blood pressure (may increase risk)
Other things that might affect your risk of moderate or severe illness if you contract COVID-19
include:
• age – risk increases as you get older, even for those under 70
• being male
• poverty
TAB C Updated 16 July 2020• smoking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at greater risk of COVID-10 if they are age 50 years and over with chronic medical conditions, have a weakened immune system or are aged 70 years and over. Further information is available on the NSW Health website TAB C Updated 16 July 2020
Advice for NSW All other Catholic schools Last updated: 16 July 2020. Headline: Advice for all NSW Catholic schools We wish to assure our school community that school will be open to welcome students back to onsite learning from the beginning of Term 3 - Monday July 20 2020. Advice for parents - Students returning to school The NSW Government closed the border with Victoria from 12:01am Wednesday 8 July 2020. All staff and students returning from Victoria after this time must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. All students who have been in Victoria in the last 14 days before the commencement of school must not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria. NSW Health has requested anyone who has been in Victoria and is unwell or has flu like symptoms arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics. Details of the current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria can be found on the NSW Health border restrictions website. Students who are unable to return to school due to the border closures or self-isolation will be supported to learn remotely. We would like to remind our community the most important action you can take is to practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing. Our school will be vigilant in implementing these requirements to minimise the risk at school. Information on self-isolation can be found on the NSW Health website. TAB D Comms Border Changes – All Other Schools
Advice for NSW Boarding schools
Last updated: 16 July 2020
Headline: Advice for NSW Boarding schools
We wish to assure our school community that school will be open to welcome students back to
onsite learning from the beginning of Term 3 - Monday July 20 2020.
Students returning into residential facilities
In accordance with NSW Health advice the following additional requirements must be applied to any
boarding student returning to school after travelling through, residing or visiting any location in
Victoria before returning to school:
• Students that have been in Victoria need to self-isolate for a period of 14 days in suitable
accommodation separate from the boarding school or college from the time they have left
Victoria and
• Have a negative naso-pharyngeal swab for COVID at day 10 of isolation.
Before the school accepts the student back within the boarding facility, parents or carers will need to
provide written confirmation to the school that their child has self-isolated for the full 14 day period
since they were last in Victoria and returned a negative test result before leaving self-isolation.
Day students returning to school
As you would be aware the border between NSW and Victoria closed as of 12:01am 8 July 2020.
All staff and students returning from Victoria after this time must have a permit to enter NSW and
are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
All day students who have been in Victoria in the 14 days before the commencement of school must
not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria.
NSW Health has requested anyone who has been in Victoria and is unwell or has flu like symptoms
arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.
Details of the current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria can be found on the NSW
Health border restrictions website.
Students who are unable to return to school due to the border closures or self-isolation will be
supported to learn remotely.
TAB D Comms Border Changes -Boarding SchoolsWe would like to remind our community the most important action you can take is to practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing. Our school will be vigilant in implementing these requirements to minimise the risk at school. Information on self-isolation can be found on the NSW Health website. TAB D Comms Border Changes -Boarding Schools
Advice for NSW Border Town schools Last updated: 16 July 2020 Headline: Advice for NSW Border Town schools The NSW Government closed the border with Victoria from 12:01am Wednesday 8 July 2020. We wish to assure our school community that school will be open to welcome students back to onsite learning from the beginning of Term 3 - Monday July 20 2020. Getting to and from school Transport for NSW have advised that there will be a number of checkpoints along the border with remaining roads to be closed. A number of changes have already been made to assist travel across the border. We have confirmed with the bus operators that the school services will run as scheduled to and from schools. For staff and students who travel by car, road closures and detours are available on Live Traffic. Please note that travel times may be impacted as a result of these closures, which may include the bus services. For staff and students who reside in Victoria (border towns) The closure of the border means that all staff and students who reside in Victorian border towns will need a border entry permit to travel from Victoria to NSW. This will need to be carried with you at all times and checked at the checkpoints. This permit is valid for 14 days from the date of issue. Apply for a permit For staff and students who reside in NSW (border towns) The closure of the border means that all staff and students who live on the New South Wales side of the border, in a border town will not need to do anything different unless you have travelled to Victoria. In this case you will need to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to school. NSW border community residents will be allowed to travel across the border in both directions by applying for and obtaining a permit. Staff and students who have travelled through or visited Victoria As you would be aware the border between NSW and Victoria closed as of 12:01am 8 July 2020. TAB D Comms – Border Changes Border Town Schools
All staff and students returning from Victoria after this time must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. With the exception of staff and students who reside in a border town, all other staff and students who have been in Victoria in the 14 days before the commencement of school should not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria.. NSW Health has requested anyone who has been in Victoria and is unwell or has flu like symptoms arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics. Details of the current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria can be found on the NSW Health border restrictions website. Students and staff who are unable to return to school due to the border closures or self-isolation will be supported to learn or work remotely. We would like to remind our community the most important action you can take is to practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing. Our school will be vigilant in implementing these requirements to minimise the risk at school. Information on self-isolation can be found on the NSW Health website. TAB D Comms – Border Changes Border Town Schools
Guidelines for boarding schools
Catholic Schools NSW continues to work closely with NSW Health and other key government
agencies in planning and managing school operations in line with the Australian Health Protection
Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice for reducing the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission in
boarding schools.
The AHPPC published updated advice on risk management for boarding schools and school based
residential colleges on the 17 June 2020.
The following guidelines incorporate the updated advice and provide information to support
ongoing risk mitigation specific to the boarding facilities.
All boarding schools are currently operational with arrangements in place so all students are able to
return boarding schools. These arrangements should reviewed and relevant changes made in line
with these guidelines.
Schools should continue to adopt the measures outlined below to lower the risk of transmission and
promote good health, hygiene and physical distancing.
Additional restrictions for staff and students returning to boarding schools for term 3
In accordance with NSW Health advice the following additional requirements must be applied for
any student or staff member who is returning to school after travelling through, residing or visiting
any location in Victoria prior to returning to the school:
• Students who have been in Victoria must self-isolate for a period of 14 days in suitable
accommodation separate from the boarding school / college.
• They must have a negative naso-pharyngeal swab for COVID at day 10 of isolation.
Schools must advise parents of these requirements prior to their return to the boarding facility.
Prior to the school accepting the student back within the boarding facility, parents and carers will
need to provide written confirmation to the school that their child has self-isolated for the 14 day
period since they were last in Victoria and returned a negative test result prior to leaving home
isolation.
Arrangements for residential areas
Residential area management
Schools must remain vigilant in implementing the school’s infection control and physical distancing
measures which are consistent with the AHPPC Guidelines for schools.
TAB E Updated 16 July 2020Where possible students should be kept in year groups or relevant cohorts to minimise close
interaction while in residential areas.
Consider the following strategies to limit the risk in this environment:
• Revise student sleeping arrangements to consider:
o One student per room where practicable
o The number of students being accommodated in dormitory accommodation relative to
the size of the room.
o Measures to maximize physical space per student, such as using barriers to isolate or
separate students from each other’s living space
• Minimise use of shared bathroom facilities where possible. Where shared bathrooms are
required consider rostering and allocating specific boarders to these shared facilities and
additional cleaning.
• Implement measures to reduce group numbers and maintain physical distancing in recreational
areas and when engaging in activities outside of school hours
• Stagger meal times in dining areas to reduce group numbers and implement cleaning between
dining/meal session
Reducing interaction between year groups or established student cohorts will minimise the risk of
transmission while in the school residential areas and make it easier to perform contact tracing if a
student was to test positive to COVID-19.
Personal hygiene
Students should be reminded regularly on the importance of adopting appropriate personal hygiene
practices. Information should include:
• Washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water at regular intervals throughout the day,
particularly before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• Regular and appropriate use of hand sanitiser throughout the day
• Respiratory hygiene - Covering a cough or sneeze and then hand washing
• Advising staff immediately if they feel unwell or have any flu-like symptoms
• Placing used tissues and other personal hygiene items straight into a bin and then hand
washing
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Not sharing food or drink
• Not sharing personal items such as mobile phones, pens and pencils etc.
• Wiping down shared surfaces before and after use (e.g. where students study and in
recreational areas) or when sharing equipment in common areas or in shared rooms
arrangements
• Maximizing physical distance, reducing contact with other students and staff
Environmental Hygiene
The school must ensure that cleaning takes place in the residential areas including:
TAB E Updated 16 July 2020• Cleaning arrangements should include an additional focus on high touch surfaces in common
areas and recreational spaces
• Daily cleaning of all residential rooms
• Vigilant cleaning and personal hygiene practices in all canteen and food preparation areas
• Cleaning arrangement in bathrooms and shower areas during the day, at least after lunch and
recess
• Sufficient soap and hand sanitiser is available at all times
Physical Distancing
Boarding schools should maintain a strong focus on physical distancing measures in residential areas
of the school to minimise the risk of transmission.
Physical distancing for students
Although students are not required to maintain physical distancing at school, reducing close physical
contact and maintaining physical distancing between students in residential areas of the school is
recommended.
Where possible:
• Minimise social interaction between year groups to reduce the risk of transmission and
support contact tracing if there was a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Restrict access to residential areas for any person other than boarders and staff required to
work in the residential areas.
• Assemblies and staff briefings should be limited to year groups and be limited to 15
minutes.
• Recreation areas and activities should be restricted to year groups or established student
cohorts where possible. This may require a school to establish a schedule to minimise
interaction between groups.
• Implement measures to maximize physical distancing, for example the use of physical
barriers and staggering the use of recreational areas. Ensure the display of posters to
promote physical distancing and hygiene requirements.
• Boarders should be restricted from entering any residential area other than their own. No
visitors should be given access to the residential areas.
• Minimise students leaving the school to engage in activities in the broader community
where possible.
Physical distancing requirements for staff
• Staff living arrangements should be restricted to one person per room
• Staff rooms and other common use areas should have a limited number of staff in the room at
any time taking into account the 1.5m distancing requirements
• Staff should be reminded regularly of the need to remain at least 1.5m from each other at all
times.
• Staff meetings and gatherings should be restricted to small numbers or take place in large
spaces to allow for distancing requirements
TAB E Updated 16 July 2020• Residential areas should be restricted to only those staff who need to work in those areas
Other distancing considerations
• Non-essential visitors should continue to be restricted from visiting the school
• Specific locations should be identified for deliveries and entry for essential visitors to the
school to minimise unnecessary contact with staff and students at the school
• All staff, non-boarding students and contractors must not attend school if they have any signs
or symptoms of flu or any other illness
• Boarding students should not leave the school except for essential purposes
• Weekly boarders should continue with existing arrangements as local enrolments or day
students, alternatively parents/carers may wish to consider boarding students for the term
• Residential staff should minimise the need to leave the school where possible
Managing staff and student illnesses
Schools are experienced in managing student injury and illness including those who reside at the
school during the school term and have appropriate nursing staff and clinics in place. If a student
develops flu-like symptoms the following action should be taken:
• The student should be taken to the sick bay, clinic or other appropriate area where the student
can be assessed and isolated immediately.
• Schools should comply with appropriate infection control.
• The usual assessment of the student’s condition should be carried out and a determination
made on whether the student requires urgent medical assistance. If so, an ambulance should
be called immediately.
• If the student has mild symptoms and presents with any of the following:
o Cough
o Shortness of breath
o Sore/scratchy throat
o Fever;
The unwell student should remain in the clinic or other suitable location, isolated from all other
staff and students and arrangements made for a COVID-19 test to be conducted.
• Where possible the person conducting the test should come to the school to avoid
unnecessary transportation of the student. Each school should have an established a process in
place either through the local Public Health Unit or external service providers to conduct on-
site testing if required.
• Meals should be delivered to the student in isolation using disposable plates and cutlery during
this time.
• Parents/carers should be notified that the student is unwell and that they will be tested for
COVID-19. The parents/carers may choose to collect the student from school immediately or
wait for the outcome of the test prior to deciding whether to come and collect the student
from school.
TAB E Updated 16 July 2020You can also read
