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February 1, 2022
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A COVIDSafe Return to School

In line with directives from the Victorian Government and MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools), a number of COVIDSafe measures have been introduced to ensure that the school environment is as safe as possible.

  • To assist all families to understand the testing and reporting process, we have designed a simple infographic which outlines the steps required should a student test positive or be identified as a household contact.
  • A portal (Inform Avila) has also been set up for families to inform Avila should a student return a positive COVID test or is identified as a household contact.
  • In the event that a student or staff member returns a positive COVID-19 test result and has attended school, we will notify the Avila community via email.

Confirmed Cases and Household Contacts

What to do if a student tests positive, is a household contact or school contact.

 

1. Positive COVID Test Result

If a student tests positive to COVID-19, either through a RA or PCR test, they will need to do the following:

2. Household Contact 

A household contact is someone who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility.

If a student is identified as a household contact, they will need to do the following:

  • quarantine for 7 days (inclusive of weekends) and do not attend school during this period
  • inform Avila that the student is a household contact via the following link: www.avila.vic.edu.au/inform

3. Contact at School

In the event that a student or staff member returns a positive COVID-19 test result and has attended school, we will notify the Avila community via email.

If a student or staff member has been in contact with a case of COVID-19, at school or at work:

  • If asymptomatic, the student should continue to attend school and monitor for symptoms.
  • If symptomatic, the students must stay/return home, take a rapid antigen test, or get a PCR test if a rapid antigen testing kit unavailable.

On receipt of a negative test result, and if well enough, the student can return to school.

If the student is too unwell to attend school, usual leave/absence policies apply.

Rapid Antigen Testing

Free rapid antigen tests will be made available for all students in Victorian schools for the first four weeks of Term 1. The Victorian Government will be providing students with a pack of 5 tests in week 1 and week 3 of Term 1. At Avila College, these will be distributed to students in their homeroom/mentor classes on Wednesday 2 February.

It is recommended that students conduct the tests at home, twice a week and on school days.

For more information visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/rapid-antigen-tests

COVIDSafe Measures

Face Masks

All students will be required to wear a face mask in all indoor settings. The face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Face masks must also be worn when travelling on public transport or the Australiner bus service to and from school.

Parents of students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or mental health condition must provide their approval in writing for their child not to wear a mask to school. This can be emailed to the student’s Year Level Co-ordinator.

Practice Good Hygiene

All classrooms are equipped with hand sanitisers and cleaning kits. Hand sanitiser stands are also located at all school entrances and students are encouraged to use these regularly. Students are also asked to use non-contact greetings (not shaking hands, hugging or kissing).