The Department regularly updates its coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic advice and guidance for schools. This page is designed to help our Princes Hill Secondary School community find the most up-to-date advice and access key coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources.
We will continue to inform our school community of any updates or new information via Compass Newsfeeds and post important content on this page for reference.
There is no longer a requirement for principals to inform the school community of a positive case associated with the school.
From 13 October 2022, COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Schools must continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.
Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school community safe and well.
What to do if you've been told you are a contact of someone with COVID-19What to do if you've been told you are a contact of someone with COVID-19
Latest News
The school community should continue to refer to Compass for regular Newsfeeds about school learning, activities and information. Click on the heading of the latest announcements below for the most recent information. Click here for all prior announcements.
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Rapid Antigen Tests
Free rapid antigen tests (RATs) will continue to be made available for all staff and students in Victorian schools in Term 4 2022 to support the early detection of COVID-19 in our school. Rapid antigen testing will be voluntary for all students and staff.
Tests will be provided in packs of 5 individual tests. A pack for each child in the household continue to be distributed fortnightly.
Tests should occur at home whenever symptomatic and any positive test results must be reported to the school (see below). Advice, including a video on conducting a rapid antigen test can be found here.
A user guide for entering information about a positive RAT into the Department of Education Student Covid Test Portal can be found at the link.
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The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive to COVID-19 report that result to their employer, school and household. If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, you should report this through the Department of Health online system or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398. Parents should also report a positive result for their child to the school, either through the Student COVID-19 Test Portal (you will need to register) or by phone to the office 9389 0600 or written notification - email to covidreports@phsc.vic.edu.au . This is so the school can support students, record absence while in 5-day isolation, and let others community members know they should monitor for symptoms. This information is treated consistent with the Department's Privacy Policy. Students who report a positive result are strongly recommended to:
Where students become symptomatic at school they should:
Staff who report a positive result are strongly recommended to:
As an additional risk mitigation, staff and students who leave isolation after 5 days are strongly recommended to undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation and test negative before attending school and to wear a mask in indoor settings and outdoors where they cannot physically distance. Facemasks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home |
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From 11.59pm on Wednesday, 12 October, the pandemic declaration will end – and Victorians will no longer be required to isolate after testing positive to COVID-19, with isolation for positive cases now strongly recommended. Requirements for close contacts like continually testing negative on a rapid antigen test will become strong recommendations – joining the strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors, which will remain in place. If asymptomatic, students and staff should continue to attend school and monitor for symptoms. If symptomatic, all students/staff are strongly advised to stay/return home, take a rapid antigen test, or get a PCR test if a rapid antigen testing kit unavailable. If your child's test is positive, you should complete the reporting recommended outlined above. |
Vaccination
Vaccination remains the most critical element limiting the impact on health and the spread of Covid-19. All children and teenagers over the age of 5 can be vaccinated
Staff and students are strongly recommended to ensure they keep up-to-date with all recommended and available COVID-19 vaccinations as vaccinations are the best way to protect individuals, families and school communities from the severe effects of COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus.
Vaccination is no longer mandatory for staff or visitors in any Victorian school, including specialist schools.
For more general information about the COVID-19 vaccine, refer to the Victorian Government COVID-19 Vaccine Website and the Commonwealth COVID-19 Vaccine Website
Ventilation
We continue to take all possible steps to maximise ventilation of learning and teaching spaces throughout the school with windows and doors open throughout. This includes classes and meetings being conducted outdoors where reasonably practicable. Additionally, we have air purifiers positioned in nearly all internal spaces especially those considered to be less well ventilated.
Vital Covid-19 Steps
We continue to apply a range of mitigation measures on public health, following Department of Education and OHS advice as detailed below.
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Students should practise physical distancing wherever possible. Maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres will not always be practical in the school environment. Staff must practise physical distancing 1.5m between themselves and other staff members or adults to the extent that is reasonably practicable. Staff should physically distance themselves from students where appropriate and feasible. |
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Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, and we continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors. The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. We understand that many students and staff members, including those who are medically at-risk, or are house hold contacts will to continue to wear a facemask. |
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Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools Parents, carers and other adult visitors, including contractors, are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. |
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