As our community continues to respond and accommodate the ever-changing challenges posed by the pandemic, I remind our parents and students of a significant change to the CEO guidelines that were communicated last week. 

Following sickness with flu-like symptoms, students and staff are required to be free of symptoms AND present a negative COVID-19 test, which must be sighted by the school, before they can return to school.

Previously, students who were unwell have been required to submit a “medical clearance” before returning to school. The requirement is now that a “negative COVID-19 test” needs to be submitted in addition to being free of any symptoms. I sincerely thank our parent community who have been so vigilant in terms of keeping their children home if they have even the mildest of symptoms and informing the College as soon as a COVID-19 test is conducted and again once the result is known. It is this vigilant approach that we must all adhere to in order to support the health and wellbeing of all members of our College community. 

Please note that as of this coming Monday (31 August), following advice from the Catholic Education Office, any parent who is required to attend the College office, will also be required to sign in upon their arrival and leave a contact number if their visit lasts for more than two minutes. This includes parents who are dropping off forms or other items, as well as parents who are collecting their children throughout the school day. As I have mentioned previously, we are conscious that this new process may not always be convenient, however, our priority at this time will always remain the ongoing safety and health of our students, staff and school community. To this end, I once again take the opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support as we continually adapt and respond to this ever-changing situation.