Covid-19 News

Victoria, we know what to do.
Once again, we must keep our friends, family and community safe by following the Victorian
Government restrictions.

Thank you for your help.
We’ve got this.

Template parent letter on changes to how COVID-19 cases are managed in schools 19/11/21

Dear parents, guardians and carers
 
Based on advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, some significant changes have been made to how cases of COVID-19 and contacts of cases are managed in schools as we reach the 90% double dose milestone for eligible people in the coming days.
 
Schools will continue the process of identifying contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at schools; contacts will no longer be contacted by the Department of Health with quarantine requirements. If your child is identified as a contact the school will contact you directly.
 
Contacts will be required to complete a standard (PCR) test within 24 hours from when they are identified by the school as a contact.
 
If the PCR test returns a negative result, the student can immediately return to school, with evidence of the negative result provided to the school.
 
It is strongly recommended that contacts complete five days of rapid antigen tests in the morning before they attend school.
 
You will be able to obtain these testing kits from testing centres from Monday 22 November if your child is required to complete a standard PCR test.
 
Where students are currently in quarantine due to an existing school exposure, they will be able to provide evidence of a negative standard PCR test and return to school following the instructions above.
 
In exceptional circumstances the Department of Health may determine that contacts in significant school outbreaks are still required to quarantine for seven days. In this scenario, students will be notified directly of any additional quarantine arrangements.
 
Face masks will now only be required by staff, visitors and Grades 3 to 6 students in an indoor space within a primary school (or schools which have primary students such as P-12 school).
 
The wearing of masks remains recommended elsewhere where physically distancing cannot be maintained.
 
As we head into the final few weeks of the school year, please continue to care for yourself and those around you.
 
Thank you
 
Linda Mitchell
Principal

School activities and return to onsite schooling full time

Metropolitan Melbourne

Dear parents, guardians and caregivers

Thank you for your efforts in Term 4 to help support the transition to onsite schooling, including getting your family vaccinated and encouraging mask wearing at school.

We are very excited to share that following the vaccination targets in Victoria, the staged return to onsite learning is being brought forward, with all onsite schooling to commence full time from Monday 1 November.

All metropolitan Melbourne students and school levels will return to onsite learning from Monday 1 November, joining regional Victorian students who returned to onsite learning on Friday 22 October.

The earlier return of students to full-time onsite learning is great news for our school community and families.

From Monday 1 November, a range of school activities will be able to take place so schools reflect the new community settings.

This means that from Monday 1 November camps, interschool sport, excursions, school assemblies, music, singing and performances will be able to take place (in line with the community settings and vaccination requirements).

From Monday 1 November, face masks will no longer be required outdoors by teachers or secondary school students but will remain an important part of our classrooms, and in the community.

Schools have taken a number of steps to support onsite learning, including staff vaccination, ventilation, physical distancing for staff and students, staggered start, finish and break times, and mask wearing.

Schools will be encouraging students to remain safe and practise good COVIDSafe behaviours for the remaining of Term 4.

Ahead of students resuming full-time onsite learning from Monday 1 November, schools will continue to provide onsite learning in line with the staged reopening plan. Students who were previously eligible for onsite supervision and care as children of authorised workers or children experiencing vulnerability can continue attending onsite learning.
While authorised worker permits are no longer required for onsite supervision and care, it should still be provided for those who were previously considered authorised workers until all year levels are back onsite.

Thank you again for all your support and we very much look forward to welcoming our students back to onsite learning full time.

Kind regards

Linda Mitchell
Principal
Fitzroy High School

Pop up vaccination hub – Richmond High School

Dear Fitzroy Community,

Richmond High School is hosting a pop up vaccination hub at the Richmond High School Gymnasium
6 Gleadell Street, Richmond (across the road from main school campus)

• Saturday, 23 October (8.30am – 5pm)
• Sunday, 24 October (10am – 6pm).

Please see attached factsheet and flyer about the pop up vaccination hub.

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COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar Your Questions Answered

Post Event Information
Thank you for attending the recent COVID-19 vaccination webinar on Thursday 9 September. You can access the following resources by clicking on the below links:  

• Presentation Slides
• Recording of the webinar

You can also:  

• Provide feedback by completing our one minute survey.
• Keep up-to-date by subscribing to our COVID-19 vaccine project update 

Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free 

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect against COVID-19. The more people who are vaccinated, the less people are able to spread the virus. 

Resources
Resources developed by the Victorian Department of Health:​ 

• Information for education staff receiving COVID-19 vaccine
• Translated resources​ 
• Information for Parents, Students and Educators  
• During the vaccine rollout it is critical we all continue to be COVIDSafe. Find out where to get tested.​ 

Resources developed by the Australian Government Department of Health:​ 

• Easy-read resources​ 
• COVID-19 vaccine information in your language​ 
• COVID-19 vaccine campaign resources​ 
• COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy  
• ATAGI statement on revised recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (17 June 2021) ​ 
• Multilingual consumer factsheet about AstraZeneca vaccine / Multilingual consumer factsheet about Pfizer vaccine ​ 

Accurate and evidence-based answers to common questions  

• https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true ​ 
• https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publication/covid-19-vaccines-common-questions-other-languages​ 

Other resources:  
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance – COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions​ 

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – COVID-19 vaccine: Information for consumers and health professionals​ 

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy - www.allergy.org.au/patients/ascia-covid-19-vaccination-faq​ 

Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre - mvec.mcri.edu.au/references/covid-19-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions/

Services Australia – How to get an Individual Health Identifier

Final year school student vaccination blitz

Dear Students, parents/carers,

To help support the safe conduct of end-of-year exams, the Victorian Government has announced a vaccination blitz for final year students (all Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3/4 students, final year Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and International Baccalaureate (IB) students), their teachers and exam supervisors and assessors.

From Tuesday 7 September and until Friday 17 September, final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors and assessors will have access to priority timeslots to attend their vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre.

Dedicated appointment booking hotline

The hotline number is 1800 434 144. The hotline will operate from 8am to 8pm. 

• Year 12 students will be able to book from 8am Monday 6 September.
• Other Unit 3/4 students can book from 8am Wednesday 8 September. 

Ineligible staff and students will not be able to make a booking using this booking process.

Please encourage final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors and assessors to make an appointment, as this will help keep them and our community safe and support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations later this year.

Please also assure students and families that there is enough vaccine supply for all eligible students and staff. There is no need to rush to call the booking hotline immediately on Monday when it opens.

Students and families should be patient as there may be long wait times. We will support all students and staff to ensure they are vaccinated.

Message to Students

Dear students

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all students aged 16 years and above are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The Victorian Government aims to fully vaccinate all final year students by the time they sit their end-of-year exams and provide at least one dose for children aged 12 and older by the end of the school year. Final year students are therefore urged to immediately make an appointment to receive a vaccine by following the instructions under the heading ‘How to book an appointment’ below.

All eligible students are encouraged to make an appointment to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

We are particularly encouraging final year students to make an early appointment as this will support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations late this year. You will be supported in every way possible to be vaccinated before the examinations begin.

All GAT students are encouraged to book in for your first dose before the GAT on 5 October. With limited vaccine supply, there are limited appointments available, you’re encouraged to check for appointments in state-run vaccination sites, and at General Practices. However, it is recommended you don’t get your first vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam – to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during your exam.

Please discuss your vaccination with your parent/guardian or carer and with your teachers to plan your absence and minimise disruption to your learning if your absence is during school hours.

Consent

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

How to book an appointment

To book an appointment, visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website or contact the Coronavirus hotline by phoning 1800 675 398.

To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website.

From 30 August, people aged 16-39 can get their COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

What to bring Bring these things, if you have them:

• a face mask
• any emails about your vaccination appointment (on your phone or printed)
• photo identification, if you have one, such as a passport or driver’s licence
• a Medicare card or Individual Healthcare Identifier number

Please refer to Department Health information on what to bring to your vaccine appointment for more information.

More information

For more information about eligibility, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.

For further assistance, contact:

• the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398
• the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.

Linda Mitchell, Principal
Fitzroy High School

Message for Parents/guardians and carers

Dear parents/guardians and carers

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all Victorian school students aged 16 years and above are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The Victorian Government aims to vaccinate all final year students by the time they sit their end-of-year exams. Final year students are therefore urged to immediately make an appointment to receive a vaccine by following the instructions under the heading ‘How to book an appointment’ below.

The state vaccination centres have recently had their capacity increased to support Victoria’s drive to administer 1 million doses of the vaccine by 19 September.

We have written to your child to provide them with information about their eligibility for getting a vaccination. Students will be supported in every way possible to be vaccinated before the examinations begin.

Students completing their final year are particularly asked to book an appointment as soon as possible to support the safe conduct of examinations. As their parent/guardian, I encourage you to help them to book and if needed, support them to attend their appointment.

Final year students are asked to consider getting their first vaccine before the GAT on 5 October. In addition, it’s recommended not to get the vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam – to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during your exam.

Consent

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

How to book an appointment

To book an appointment, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au  or contact the Coronavirus hotline by phoning 1800 675 398.

To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit  coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

From 30 August, people aged 16-39 can get their COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

More information

Translated advice about the vaccines is available on the coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

For more information about eligibility, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.

For further assistance, contact:

• the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398
• the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080

Please get in touch with me if you wish to discuss this.

Linda Mitchell, Principal
Fitzroy High School

From 8:00pm tonight, there are only five reasons to leave home: getting the food and the supplies you need, exercising for up to two hours, care or caregiving, authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home, or to get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.

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As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are reported, new exposure sites are regularly
updated on coronavirus.vic.gov.au

It’s important that everyone in the community regularly checks the exposure sites. If they’ve visited a site
during the dates and times indicated, they must follow the advice about getting tested and quarantining
– to keep everyone in our community safe.

There are new Coronavirus (Covid-19) exposure sites.

Check all the exposure sites at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites

If you have visited any sites during the dates and times indicated, you must follow the health advice about getting tested and quarantining.

New exposure sites are constantly being updated. It is important to regularly check  the website for the latest information.

OTHER TRANSLATED INFORMATION IN YOUR LANGUAGE

Translated coronavirus information from the Victorian Government is available online in the following languages: