COVID-19 Updates
Latest COVID-19 updates and school response information
This page contains ongoing updates regarding COVID-19, and outlines our response as a school. Latest updates supersede previous information, where applicable.
COVID-19 Latest Updates
UPDATED - OCTOBER 20 - 2022
Term 4, 2022
School COVID-19 requirements have been updated for Term 4. This update supersedes all previous updates.
SA Health emphasizes the need for those who are ill to stay home for at least 5 days or until symptoms resolve.
2 – COVID-19 Positive Case requirements
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 they must notify the school and/or OSHC. Please do not attend for 5 days if covid-19 positive. Do not attend while symptomatic.
If your child tests positive, via the front office or via [email protected], with the following details:
3 – Close Contacts
A STUDENT IS A CLOSE CONTACT IF:
They were supported by an SSO or teacher who has tested positive for COVID-19, for a cumulative period of 4 hours, indoors, in close physical proximity and face masks were not able to be worn.
Students are required to undertake 5 rapid antigen tests over a 7-day period following exposure*^
*Students and staff who are COVID-19 positive or are a close contact cannot attend an overnight camp during the 7-day period following testing positive or following exposure.
^People who have recovered from COVID-19 will not be considered a close contact for 28 days after testing positive.
4 – Face Masks [updated October 2022]
Students may wear a face mask if desired. When returning to school from a 5-day positive case, students should wear a face mask until day 10.
5 – Other requirements
Parents/Caregivers on site
Parents/Caregivers are welcome to resume gathering on the Primary School grounds, outside classrooms. Classrooms will remain only for students and teachers (unless there is a pre-arranged meeting, or Leadership approved activity between teachers and parents)
Other Requirements
Continue to encourage sound hygiene practices with your children, and keep children home if feeling unwell.
COVID-19 Previous information
UPDATED - JULY 24 - 2022
Term 3, 2022
School COVID-19 requirements remain mostly the same for Term 3. Please see below the latest information regarding Classroom Contacts, Positive Cases, and Isolation requirements. Please note that this information may change regularly, dependant upon advice from SAHeath and the South Australian Government.
Process for 1- Classroom Contacts and 2- Positive Cases
Students are a Classroom Contact if they shared a classroom or interacted with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (teacher, SSO, ancillary staff or student)
1 – Classroom Contacts – Student requirements:
Currently, the requirements regarding classroom contacts remain the same for Term 3. We will continue to notify you if your child is regarded as a classroom contact. However, notification requirements within schools have relaxed, and as a result we may consider developing a more general notification method as the term progresses.
- if the student has symptoms, they must not attend school and get tested as soon as possible
- students (aside from the positive case/s) will be encouraged to continue attending school if they don’t have any symptoms
- student attendance at OSHC should be avoided where possible for 7 days
- from 28 February, students can attend extra-curricular activities, excursions and camps if they don’t have any symptoms*
Multiple COVID-19 cases in a class
We will notify you if there are five or more cases reported in a single class and will communicate up-to-date SA Health requirements to families at that time.
1B – Classroom Contact advice:
July 2022 update
The Chief Public Health Officer advises it’s good practice for classroom contacts to do the following for 14 days to minimise risk to others, when outside of the school setting:
- avoiding high risk settings or COVID Management Plan events
- wearing a surgical mask around others (where age appropriate) and outside your home
- avoid working across worksites unless an approved risk management plan is in place (eg rapid antigen testing)
- avoiding contact with vulnerable people outside of your workplace or family, where possible
- avoiding non-essential activities where possible (eg where there are lots people, inside, in close contact)
- avoiding shared spaces and maintain physical distance.
2 – COVID-19 Positive Case requirements
Any person (staff or student) who tests positive to COVID-19 as a classroom contact, will be required to isolate for 7 days.
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If a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must notify the school and/or OSHC and isolate for 7 days.
As previously, please inform the College immediately if your child tests positive, via the front office or via [email protected], with the following details:
3 – Close Contacts
Requirements regarding CLOSE contacts were updated July 14.
^People who have recovered from COVID-19 will now not be considered a close contact for only 28 days (updated July 14) after their release from isolation. After 28 days, you will still be considered a close contact if you are exposed to COVID-19 and meet the close contact definition. You will need to quarantine and get tested.
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the school is notified that your child is a close contact (please notify the school via the front office or via [email protected]
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your child strictly follows mask requirements at school (as outlined above)
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your child adheres to up-to-date SA Health testing requirements (five tests in seven days)
If your child is unable to adhere to the testing or mask wearing requirements, please keep them home to quarantine for seven days.
Please refer to the SA Health website for further requirements regarding close contacts. The attached infographic will also be a helpful reference guide.
4 – Face Masks [updated July 2022]
Face mask guidelines were updated by SAHealth in July 2022.
- Face masks in education and care settings are still strongly recommended (but not required):
- for all adults (including visitors) while indoors, except if it impedes the ability to teach or interact with children
- for students in Years 3 to 12 while indoors.
- Anyone who is a close contact and is aged 12 years and older will need to wear a face mask when they leave the house for seven days following exposure in line with the SA Health close contact guidelines.
Exemptions continue to apply for students or staff who have a medical condition, such as problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability, or a mental health condition.
5 – Other requirements
Parents/Caregivers on site
Primary School will continue to have the same drop-off/pick up arrangements for Term 3.
This arrangement will be reviewed as settings continue to evolve. Parents/Caregivers will not be permitted in classrooms unless prior arrangement has been made, or unless it is a COVID-19 managed event (e.g., Learning Conversations).
Other Requirements
It is vitally important that you please:
1 – Keep your child home if they are:
- unwell
- experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
2 – continue to encourage sound hygiene practices with your children and mask wearing where required.
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