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
- Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment: Coronavirus
This website provides up to date fact sheets for schools, early childhood providers and CRICOS registered providers. - Australian Department of Health:
- Australian Government, eSafety Commissioner: COVID-19: Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Australian Government, Treasury: Fact sheet: Cash flow assistance for businesses
- ISV: Emergency Management Planning
- Smartraveller
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services: Coronavirus
- Victorian DET:
Downloads
Australian Department of Education: Child Care Provider Handbook Australian Government Minister for Education: New support for families and child care services COVID19 protocols-12 March 2020-Independent schools ISV: Coronavirus and Employment Relations FAQ ISV: Updates for Early Years providers 27 March 2020 ISV: Social distancing in early childhood education servicesThis section contains useful content in the form of exemplars and templates.
These resources are located in isConnect for Member School access.
Relevant links:
Victorian Department of Education and Training: Learning from home
ISV: Remote Learning – curated digital forums on isLearn
ISV: Student support discussion and resource space on isLearn