As a College community we are appropriately concerned about the potential impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
We are actively following advice from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Department of Education and Training (DET), Independent Schools of Victoria (ISV) and the Victorian Government in relation to schools and their planned precautions. The advice from the Australian government at the moment is to take measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and ensure plans are in place in the case of localised cases of this virus in our local community.
Our Senior Leadership Team and College Nurse are in regular discussions to ensure our current and future measures are implemented if the situation changes.
We continue to maintain exclusion periods for anyone coming from mainland China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. In addition to this, we are also including Level 2 countries such as India, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mongolia. We are actively monitoring any students returning from travel overseas to Australia, as the list of countries affected is continually updated.
The Senior Leadership Team continues to actively assess and consider other actions which may include temporary suspension or postponement of overseas and local camps, excursion programs, exchanges and large-scale gatherings. We will communicate directly with parents and students affected by the temporary suspension of programs.
The College is well placed to respond quickly if required, on advice from the DHHS, DET, ISV and/or the Victorian Government. At this stage, we are currently consulting with the appropriate departments as to the extent and increase in levels of programs that may be affected in our school.
NB: As developments occur or our advice changes, we will accordingly update parents/guardians via email and post updates below. In the meantime, if you have further questions, please contact us through email to questions@heathdale.vic.edu.au or by calling our College.
Student Event Updates
March 10 — Postponed – Central Australia Trip and French Exchange
March 11 — Postponed – Melton Campus Year 7 Pastoral and Leadership Camp & Werribee Year 6 (selected students) Primary Leaders conference
March 11 — Cancelled – District Swimming Meet
What You Can Do
We are continuing to enforce good hygiene practices for students and staff. We ask that you also have these conversations with your child(ren). These include:
- Practicing good handwashing hygiene (especially before eating and after visiting the toilet). Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Dry your hands with paper towel or a warm hand dryer.
- Discouraging children from touching their face/mouth.
- When blowing a nose, put the used tissue in the bin and wash hands immediately after.
- If coughing or sneezing, cover it well with a tissue (throw the used tissue in the bin), or cough or sneeze into your arm or clothing and wash your hands thoroughly after.
- If your child is unwell, such as a temperature, cough, runny nose or headache, please keep your child at home until they feel better. If there has potentially been exposure to the coronavirus, please seek medical assistance by calling your GP, your local Emergency Department, or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Helpful Resources
The Australian Government continues to update our Australian community through the below links, and we encourage you to take note of these.
Victoria & Rest of World Current Status Updates
www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert#why-is- there-an-alert
Public Information
http://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Country & Region Advice/Alert level
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
When & How to Wear a Mask
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and- how-to-use-masks