As a focus this week, I take the opportunity to offer further clarification regarding the process of notifying the College should a student be required to undertake a COVID-19 test. At the outset, I continue to encourage families to keep students at home should they be showing even the mildest of symptoms. We recognise that this may not always be convenient, however it is an important step in ensuring the safety of our College community is prioritised. 

Over the past couple of months we have taken many opportunities to request that families notify the College when COVID-19 tests are taken by our students and have documented their associated period of isolation until a negative result has been received. I would ask parents to continue to prioritise this communication going forward, however, I ask that this contact is made directly to the College office (ph. 9603 3000) as soon as the test is administered. I specifically ask parents to ensure that this communication is made in addition to anything that they may document on Compass as an explanation for a students absence. 

When such a phone call is made, our office staff will request the following information:

1. Whether the student is displaying symptoms or has been asked to isolate for another reason (eg, close contact with a confirmed case or a returning traveller). 
2. The date of the commencement of isolation
3. The date of the COVID-19 test

In accordance with NSW Public Health Orders, anyone who has taken a COVID-19 test, must self isolate until the result is returned. Once the result is known, I would ask parents to once again contact the College with the following information:

1. The result of the test
2. The date that the result was given
3. The date that the student has been cleared to return to the College (if symptoms have ceased, this will often by the day following the receipt of the negative result).
4. Please submit a copy of the negative result (scans or screenshots of results are acceptable). 

I thank all members of our community for their attention to this process. While this communication places additional requirements on us at an already busy time, it goes a long way towards allowing us to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all, both within and beyond our school community.