There has been a great deal of media commentary that has coincided with our return to school amid a peak in COVID and flu cases within and beyond our community. I wish to advise our parents and families that in terms of any official changes to COVID requirements this term, NSW Health have announced the following:

• NSW Health has revised the COVID-19 reinfection period from 12 weeks down to four weeks (28 days) effective from 12 July 2022.
• Students and staff who have previously had COVID-19 should test for COVID-19 if experiencing symptoms 28 days or more since their isolation ended and follow the relevant health advice if they test positive.

To this point in time, masks remain encouraged in indoor settings where social distancing is not practicable and students who are demonstrating any flu-like symptoms are asked to stay at home until the symptoms cease. It is our understanding that another delivery of RAT kits will be delivered to the College for all staff and students and, as has been the case previously, we will prioritise their distribution.

Finally this week, I remind everyone of our COVID-safe guidelines for Term 3 which carry over from those in place last term. These stipulate that whilst household close contacts who have no symptoms may continue to attend school, they must adhere to the following requirements:

• The school is notified that they are intending to return as a close household contact
• They must wear a mask indoors except when eating or exercising
• Once positive cases have completed their 7-day isolation period, they should wear a mask for an additional 3 days (for days 8 to 10)

Please note that students who test positive for COVID-19, or who are unwell or showing COVID-19 symptoms, must continue to isolate at home.

All the best for the week ahead,