Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information and links to assist schools to manage and prepare for the potential impact of the Coronavirus on operations, staff, students, and the community.
The following information and links to external resources are designed to assist Member Schools to manage and prepare for the potential impact of the Coronavirus on their operations, their staff and students, and the wider school community.
It outlines their obligations, provides advice and links to the relevant government agencies which are the best sources of information.
Schools should be aware that government advice is being updated regularly and can change from day-to-day. While we will try to keep this information current, this might not always be possible.
As well as these resources, we will communicate directly to schools via email and memos in the event of significant developments.
An important document for schools:
- Protocols for schools in the event of a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case
These protocols were prepared in consultation between ISV, representatives of Catholic Education, and the Victorian Department of Education and Training.
Please click on LINKS AND DOWNLOADS below to find the Protocols and other important documents, links and resources.
Yes – under the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (Vic), the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Under Victorian occupational health and safety law, employers have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe workplace. This obligation extends to all people at the workplace, whether they are employees or not.
Schools should:
- Continue to monitor the advice from the Australian and Victorian governments
- Review the school’s emergency management plan
- Ensure that communications to parents, students and staff are clear and timely
- Prepare for the possibility of high absenteeism from large numbers of students and staff
- Review the school’s capacity to deliver online learning to students
- Review the school’s business continuity plan
- Make appropriate arrangements for international students
You may be in breach of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (Vic).
You may also be in breach of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic.) and the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007 (Vic.). Non-compliance with the minimum standards for school registration could result in the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA):
- imposing conditions on a school’s registration
- prohibiting a school from enrolling any new students
- requiring the school to report its non-compliance to parents
- suspending, cancelling or imposing conditions on a school’s registration.
Your reputation could be affected.
Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@is.vic.edu.au
Tom Hyland
Media and Communications Advisor
Ph. 03 9825 7217
tom.hyland@is.vic.edu.au
COVID vaccine data series
Health Geographics has developed an interactive, online map that tracks COVID-19 vaccination rates by Statistical Area – Level 3. You can track the percentage of first and second dose vaccination rates in your school’s local area.
- COVID vaccine data series (courtesy of Health Geographics)
Australian Government websites
- Department of Education, Skills and Employment:
- Coronavirus
- This website provides up to date fact sheets for schools, early childhood providers and CRICOS registered providers.
- Department of Education, Skills and Employment: Early Childhood and Care Relief Package
- Australian Government Department of Health:
- Australian Government, Treasury:
- Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council:
- Australian Taxation Office:
Victorian Government Websites
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services:
- Victorian DET:
- Coronavirus
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for early childhood services
- Funding for Four-year sessional kindergartens remains unchanged. The State Government has also announced support for unfunded three-year kindergarten programs – full information can be found here
- Learning from home in an early childhood setting
- Educator to child ratios
- Educator to child ratios for funded kindergarten programs
- Early childhood teacher centre-based services
- Health and hygiene in early childhood education and care services
- Video/learning module: School and Early Childhood Infection Prevention and Control During Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Downloads
DHHS: COVID-19 Stakeholder Pack - Get Tested Campaign DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (English) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Amharic) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Arabic) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Bilen) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Dinka) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Nuer) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Oromo) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Somali) DHHS: COVID-19 Testing and Isolation Information (Tigre) DHHS: COVID Testing and Isolation Information (Tigrinya) Victorian Government: COVID-Safe: Stay Safe, Stay Open Stakeholder PackDownloads
DET: COVID Safe Routine Cleaning Guidelines DET: Requirements for Operation of School Camps DET: Templates, Exposure Notification DHHS: How to Wear and Care for a Mask ISV: COVID-19 Advice on Ventilation ISV: COVID-19 - Effective Face Masks ISV: Social distancing in early childhood education services LPHU Postcode List Vic DET: Assessment Guidance for Remote and Flexible Learning Vic DET: COVID-19 Safety Management Plan (COVID Safe Plan) March 2022 Vic DET: Face Covering Posters Vic DET: Excursions, Attendance and Contract Tracing Template Vic DET: Guidance for the use of PPE in Education Settings, 28 June 2021. Vic DET: Parent Consent Contract Tracing Form Vic DET: Poster Promoting Airflow Vic DET: Physical Distancing Poster Vic DET: School Operations Guide 26 April 2022 Vic DET: Stay at Home if you are Unwell Poster Vic DET: Ventilation Advice for the ClassroomThis section contains useful content in the form of exemplars, templates and relevant links for schools.
Downloadable resources are located in isConnect for Member School access.
Relevant links:
ACARA: Resources for parents and carers
ISV: COVID-19 Research Articles
Australian Government, eSafety Commissioner: COVID-19: Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic
Going Digital: Making digital ways of working, work!
ISV: Remote Learning – curated digital forums on isLearn
Victorian Department of Education and Training: Learning from home
Cleaning
ISV has reached an agreement with Cleaning Melbourne which is offering Member Schools a 40% off discount on standard rates for COVID-19 cleaning services.
Cleaning Melbourne can undertake a ‘deep clean’ at your school to help minimise the risk of infection and contamination. This could include precautionary cleaning and disinfection of high touch point (HTP) areas, sanitisation and thorough deep cleaning of your school facilities, as well as decontamination control.
Click here for more information about this exclusive Member offer.
Face masks
ISV has secured access for Member Schools to disposable facemasks at cost price – $30 for a box of 50. The normal retail price is $50. Details on how to order these facemasks can be found here.
Hand sanitiser
ISV has negotiated a bulk supply of hand sanitiser with DefendTex.
The hand sanitiser is being provided in 15 litre and 5 litre containers. The liquid format is ideal for hand sanitisation and cleaning of surfaces. It is also ideal for refilling spray dispensers (such as you find in most toilet facilities), and normal spray and wipe bottles. Schools will need to provide their own dispensing equipment.
For more information, refer to:
To place an online order, click here. ISV will consolidate orders daily and send them to DefendTex, who will contact schools directly.