Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information for Schools (20 June)

This page will be updated with the latest general information and materials and made available to all Christian schools. 

CSA member schools will find other materials and resources in the relevant sections of the site.

There are a wide range of resources available from the Australian and State/Territory Governments –

Information and Updates -Health Departments

• Australian Government Health Department– https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
• QLD Government Health Department – https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus
• NSW Government Health Department – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
• ACT Government Health Department – https://www.health.act.gov.au/public-health-alert/updated-information-about-covid-19
• VIC Government Health Department – https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
• TAS Government Health Department – https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/infectious_diseases/coronavirus
• SA Government Health Department – https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covid2019
• WA Government Health Department – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus  https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus

Information and Updates – Education Departments

• Australian Government Department of Education
• QLD Government Education Department, QCAA
• NSW Government Education Department, NESA
• ACT Government Education Department, BSSS
• VIC Government Education Department, VCAA
• TAS Government Education Department, TASC
• SA Government Education Department, SACE
• WA Government Education Department, SCSA
• Smartcopying Website – copyright implications for schools during COVID-19

Workplace Implications

• Fair Work Ombudsman (employment law issues)
• Safework Australia (workplace health and safety guidance)
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (Privacy issues)

International Information Sources

• World Health Organisation (general health information)
• Association of Christian Schools International (information from the global network of Christian schools)
• Interviews with Brian Van Tasset, Angela Patterson, Jenni Johnson

Government health emergency response plans also generally include briefings and liaison with the independent schools association in your jurisdiction who will provide additional information.

Other Updates

*NEW* 20 June -new document, Term Three and Beyond, dealing with issues schools are likely to be faced with as they move into terms three and four 2020.

10 June – read our Briefing for an update of the status of the various school data collections in the light of COVID-19.

8 June – the Government has started to wind back COVID-19 support measures in relation to early learning centres, see details in our Briefing.

1 June – fully revised and updated resource for schools to assist in responding to employment relations issues that might arise in the context of returning to onsite teaching

1 June – the impact of the latest Victorian public health orders has been addressed in the ourKeeping Schools Safe document

26 May – Information to assist schools in responding to any ‘outbreak’ is available here or as a download below.

23 May – our Keeping Schools Safe document has been further updated to note changes in workers compensation requirements and public health orders.

20 May – our Keeping Schools Safe document has been updated to respond to concerns about the safety of older students.

16 May – details of the flexibility around Semester One reporting for 2020 in our Briefing.

14 May – the Government has announced a Special Hygiene Assistance Payment as outlined in our Briefing.

12 May – Updated resources for CSA member schools and SRS Participants on Educational Delivery in Term Two – with all Government school systems now having plans to “re-open”.

8 May – New resources from the ATO for independent schools about the JobKeeper payments added to our Briefing

7 May –  FURTHER UPDATED information on the eligibility of schools for the JobKeeper payments in our Briefing.

7 May – further updated resources for CSA member schools and SRS Participants on Educational Delivery in Term Two and Keeping Schools Safe (also available below).

5 May –  Updated information on the eligibility of schools for the JobKeeper payments in our Briefing.

5 May – Details of the COVIDSafe app safeguards, and their implications for Christian schools, are outlined here.

1 May – Questions and answers from the CSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) School Leaders Videoconference held 28 April 2020 are available here, along with the presentation here.

1 May – the  Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package- Exceptional Circumstance Supplementary Payment, process has been FURTHER updated for ELCs associated with independent schools, details in our Briefing.

1 May – Updated details on the Commonwealth’s offer to bring forward the July instalment of recurrent funding, details here

1 May – the AHPPC has released a  statement on risk management for re-opening boarding schools and school-based residential colleges, see here.

For Updates from April see here.

For Updates from March see here.

Resources

To further assist schools we have prepared resources which can be downloaded from the links below including:

• *NEW* 20 June resource on issues arising on Term Three and beyond
  
• 1 June resource for schools to assist in responding to employment relations issues that might arise in the context of returning to onsite teaching (for member schools and SRS Participants)
• 26 May Responding to ‘Outbreaks’ document available (for member schools and SRS Participants)
• 20 May Keeping Schools Safe  (for member schools and SRS Participants)
• *UPDATED* 5 May Educational Delivery in Term Two (for member schools) and Keeping Schools Safe (for member schools and SRS Participants)
• 30 April Sample Return to Classroom- Based Learning Plan available
  
• 21 April Educational Delivery in Term Two (for member schools)
• 21 April Keeping Schools Safe (for member schools and SRS Participants)
• 18 April  CSA Summary of School Issues -Dealing with Term Two Decision and Keeping Schools Safe (replaced for member schools by documents above).
  
• 16 April Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Stand Down and Related Matters (Available for download by members and SRS Participants and to other Christian School leaders on request)
• 9 April CSA Coronavirus Governance Videoconference Presentation – Daniel Pampuch (Available for download by members)
• 9 April CSA Coronavirus Governance Videoconference Presentation – Mark Spencer
•  29 March Our outline of employment implications arising from COVID-19 has been updated in relation to “high risk” staff (Available for download by members and SRS Participants and to other Christian School leaders on request)
• 27 March Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Stand Down and Related Matters (Available for download by members and SRS Participants and to other Christian School leaders on request)
• 27 March A draft letter to parents on pupil free days and Term Two attendance needs
• 24 March Sample Working from Home Policy
• 22 March Alternative Education Provision Framework Document
• 22 March A draft letter to parents on possible school closures
• 21 March Social distancing guide for Schools – see also Commonwealth Department of Health advice here
•  21 March An outline of employment implications arising from COVID-19 (Available for download by members and SRS Participants and to other Christian School leaders on request)
• 21 March A further draft letter to parents and carers updating them following the decision to cancel NAPLAN (replaced by 22 March letter below)
• 19 March A draft response letter to the IEU regarding COVID-19 (Available for download by members and SRS Participants and to other Christian School leaders on request)
• 18 March A further draft letter to staff updating them following Government announcements earlier today
• 15 March  A draft letter to staff updating them following Government changes
• 15 March  A draft letter to parents and carers updating them following Government changes
• 13 March  A collection of posters, fact sheets and info-graphics which may assist schools in communicating with parents and others regarding this issue.
• 10 March  A sample risk register identifying some of the key risks for schools, factors to be considered in assessing those risks and some ideas for potential mitigation strategies;
• 10 March  A draft letter to parents and carers updating them on both the school’s responses and preparedness and the expectations on them to assist the school; and
• 10 March  A draft letter to staff updating them on school plans and their responsibilities