Covid Related
Free rapid antigen tests
Free rapid antigen tests will be available for Term 1 and 2 2022.
Twice-a-week testing will be strongly recommended for both students and staff up unil May 23rd. After this date families are encouraged to test if students show symptoms or are household contacts.
You child has been given their packs of 5 to bring home each fortnight.
Students and staff will do the tests at home; they only need to report their result if it is COVID-positive. They must report a COVID-positive result to:
- the school via email karoo.ps@education.vic.gov.au
- record in on the Departments RA Test Portal; this is so the school can support them, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms
- the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.
Information about how to do a test and how to read RAT results, including a how-to video translated into 33 languages, is available online.
Vaccination requirements
Parents and carers must have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exception (with limited exceptions) to enter school buildings.
All staff working in schools need to be fully vaccinated with three doses or have a verified medical exception.
COVID-19 vaccinations for students are not required for them to attend school but vaccination for students is highly encouraged. If your child has not yet had their first dose, please try to organise this before term begins. For more information on how to book a vaccination, including important information about vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, visit Vaccination information for children and teenagers.
Ventilation
We will also make sure that classrooms are well ventilated by opening windows and doors, to minimise the risk of infection. We have received our air purifiers, which will be used around the school in high risks areas as an added safety measure.
Vital COVIDSafe step
Hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing will continue wherever possible.
Learning from home during Isolation
Karoo Primary School encourages students who are isolating at home to engage in digital learning, if they are feeling well and able to do so.
Students and families can access digital learning here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home/2022-digital-learning-packs . This link provides access to learning at every level and within each of the different curriculum areas. It also outlines a suggested timetable that students can follow each day.
When learning from home during isolation, we advise parents support their child/ren to engage in the core curriculum areas of Reading, Writing and Mathematics each day, just as they would if they were onsite learning in their classroom. They may also like to engage in other areas of the curriculum, such as the Arts, Science, Physical Education, and Wellbeing throughout the week.
In addition to the link above, the FUSE (Primary) website has various resources and links that students may choose to engage with: https://fuse.education.vic.gov.au/Primary .
Please do not hesitate to call the school office, should you have any questions.