Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and members of the College Community,
Hallam Senior College continues to follow the current advice and directions provided by DET and Victorian health authorities regarding the rapidly emerging outbreak of Coronavirus. The DET issues advice that is in accordance with national public health guidelines and current information from the Australian Chief Medical Officer and Victorian Chief Health Officer.
As part of the process of keeping parents, guardians and the college community informed of the current advice, Hallam Senior has placed on the website two links provided to the school. These are:
- Department of Health and Human Services – “For the Victorian public – coronavirus disease (COVID-19)”
- Department of Education and Training (DET) –”Coronavirus advice”
The Department of Education and Training (DET) continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to plan for and respond to the likely impact on schools. At the local level, Hallam Senior has taken a cautious approach to the issue and its potential impact on our school community. This includes:
- Parent teacher interviews scheduled for March 24thare cancelled. Details of alternative methods of parent -teacher discussions about the progress of students will be outlined in the coming weeks.
- All excursions or activities where students are required to go into the general community in the next 2 weeks will be cancelled.
- The college end of term assembly will be transferred to Term 3.
- Events such as Harmony Week activities will be postponed until Term 3.
Victoria has had closures of some schools this week in an effort to restrict the spread of the virus, and these may be extended over coming weeks. Based on advice from DHHS, when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within a school population (i.e.: a student or staff member), Victoria’s Chief Health Officer will recommend an affected school’s closure for 24 hours.
If this occurs, DHHS will work with DET and staff and students will be advised to stay home and self-isolate for 24 hours. This closure will support school and health officials to work through a contact and containment strategy, including decisions about extending the closure period.
At Hallam Senior College, we are working with staff to ensure that in the event of any closure, continuity of learning for students will be possible. Details will be provided if and when needed.
Yours Sincerely
Mr Greg McMahon
Executive Principal
Hallam College