Our School - COVID-19

The ever changing requirements of COVID needs patience, flexibility and adaptability as the frustrations of this pandemic continue.

COVID Update - Tuesday 7 September 2022 (Isolation Period Reduced)

From Friday 9 September, public health measures will ease. The isolation period for COVID-19 positive cases and close contacts will reduce from 7 days to 5 days, provided they are free of symptoms at the time they leave isolation. Mask requirements for public and passenger transport have also changed.   

People who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for a minimum of 5 days and can leave isolation if they no longer have symptoms. People who are still symptomatic must remain in isolation until symptoms clear. 

Close contacts with no symptoms can continue to attend school and do not have to isolate for the 5 days if they:

  • undertake a daily Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) 
  • wear a mask outside the home (Year 7 and above). 

Testing for COVID-19 for students who are symptomatic or as a close contact, remains an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. If you need additional RATs, please contact us. 

Please let the school know if your child tests positive for COVID-19 or is a close contact. 

Masks will no longer be required to be worn on public or passenger transport. Masks are an important measure to reduce transmission and are still encouraged to be worn in crowded indoor settings when people are unable to physically distance. Students and staff can choose to wear a mask at school, at any time. 


Please contact the front office if you have any queries about COVID-19 safe measures in our school. Thank you for your continued support of the school community in keeping our school COVID-19 safe. 

COVID Update - Wednesday 8 June 2022 (Vaccine Mandate Changes)

The WA government announced that from 10 June 2022, the mandatory vaccination policy would be updated in line with health advice. This means that staff in schools and residential facilities will no longer need to be vaccinated.

 

The triple dose vaccination requirements only remain in place for those working in healthcare and health support, workers in residential aged care, and workers in residential disability settings.

 

The change also means that parents and carers who regularly visit, volunteers, third party providers and contractors are not required to be vaccinated to enter a school or residential facility.

 

It is also important to remember that the removal of the vaccine mandate does not mean the pandemic is over. We continue to follow health advice and COVID-19 safe protocols, such as staying home when sick, wearing a mask as required, taking a daily RAT when identified as a close contact, and having good hand hygiene. I encourage you to visit the HealthyWA website for further information about COVID-19.

 

If you have any queries, please contact 9751 6400

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Jeremy Shepherd

Principal

Busselton Primary School

COVID Update - Thursday 12 May 2022 (RATs Distribution)

I am writing to let you know that free RATs for each student have now been delivered to the school. 

These free RATs will support our students to continue to attend school for face-to-face learning and will minimise disruption to their schooling. You will be able to test your child at home if they are feeling unwell. You can also use these RATs if your child is a close contact to enable them to test daily and continue to attend school, as long as they receive a negative result and remain asymptomatic. I've attached a letter from WA Health which explains how to use the RATs.

We will start handling out these RATs as follows:

  • Parents/carers can collect from the undercover area during school hours from 8:30 to 9:10am or from 2:30 to 3:00pm on Friday 13 May.
  • From the beginning of next week (16/05/2022) RATs can be collected from the office. Please avoid the busy times which are the start and end of the school day.

If your child becomes symptomatic they should stay home and be tested for COVID-19. You should notify the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19. Refer to healthywa.wa.gov.au for information on close contact definition, testing and isolation requirements.

Thank you for your conitinued efforts in keeping our school COVID-19 safe.

Kind regards

Jeremy Shepherd

Principal

COVID Update - Friday 29 April 2022 (Relaxation of COVID-19 Requirements)

The state government has announced that public health and social measures will be eased from 12.01am Friday 29 April (details at wa.gov.au).

For schools, these changes include:

  • masks no longer mandatory at school except for in specific settings and circumstances. Masks are encouraged for staff and students (Year 7 and above) where physical distancing is not possible.
  • density and capacity limits no longer apply to school activities
  • asymptomatic close contacts no longer required to isolate (see requirements below)
  • an additional supply of RATs for all students and staff.

If your child becomes an asymptomatic close contact, due to a person in your household being COVID-19 positive, they no longer have to isolate for 7 days. they will be required to:

  • do a daily Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and receive a negative result each day to attend school
  • wear a mask at school (for students in year 7 and above) and when travelling on public transport or ride-share.

We will let you know when you can collect the free RATs the state government is providing for all students. In the meantime, if your child becomes symptomatic or a household close contact please contact us.

All school activities can resume, and we will continue to follow COVID-19 safe measures:

  • all staff and regular workers, (including regular volunteers) at school are double dose vaccinated (third dose vaccinated within one month of being eligible)
  • adequate ventilation in each classroom, in line with health advice
  • enhanced cleaning remains in place.

If your child becomes symptomatic they should stay at home and be tested for COVID-19. Refer to healthywa.wa.gov.au for information on close contact definition, testing and isolation requirements. You should notify the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued efforts in keeping our school COVID-19 safe.

Download:
20220722_MaskWearing.pdf
20220512_distribution+of+RATs+for+students.pdf
20220512_WA+Health+RATs+How+to.PDF
20220608_changes+to+vaccination+requirement.pdf