School Governance

COVID-19 and Omicron: Is Your School Ready for the Start of This Year?

Written by CompliSpace | Feb 2, 2022 1:00:00 PM

Since late 2021, there have been dozens of articles in the media highlighting how COVID-19 isolation rules have forced staff throughout supply chains to miss work, from transport drivers to warehouse workers, checkout attendants, customer service personnel and shelf stackers. These staff losses have had massive impacts on supermarkets, the meat industry, fast food outlets, local government bodies and the tourism and hospitality industries over the Christmas holiday period. Of course, with the changing landscape, and as governments have developed a better understanding of the situation, isolation rules have changed for some of these workers.

 

The Education Landscape and Staff Shortages

Staffing will be a major issues for schools as the academic year gets underway.

ABC News reported that on 20 January this year the National Cabinet met to discuss a COVID-19 safe return to school, with planning underway to deal with staff shortages. However, as has been the case more often than not, the states and territories have been expected to develop their own plans to manage this issue. The ABC News article notes:

“Each jurisdiction is expected to introduce slightly different rules, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made it clear he doesn't want school closures this year.”

Schools and education authorities have made similar comments regarding school closures and online learning. With the exception of South Australia, the most important commonality is that they want schools to return face to face. Very few education authorities are promoting prolonged periods of online learning. The ABC article has quoted Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish as saying:

“Schools can't control how many staff get the virus and there may be times when they can't stay open”…“If we are required to go into remote learning, it will be short and sharp, depending on availability of teaching staff”.

In New South Wales, corporate staff in the Education Department have been told that they may be required to work in classrooms if there is a shortage of teachers. The Western Australian Minister of Education has noted that WA schools will have access to a pool of more than 5000 fully-vaccinated casual teachers, could reach out to retired teachers and also have vaccinated support staff on standby if required. Independent schools in NSW have been told that they could ask parents to volunteer to supervise students in classrooms amid concerns that 20 per cent of teachers at a single school could be off sick at one time. "The principals were also told schools could go ahead with higher-risk activities such as group singing, excursions and sporting events if they did their own risk assessments and COVID-safe plans." Association of Independent Schools NSW Chief Executive Dr Geoff Newcombe said that all three school sectors had worked closely together to develop the back-to-school arrangements.

Schools will no longer close in NSW or Victoria if a student tests positive for the virus – and there will be no contact tracing for students or staff. If a student tests positive for COVID-19 in NSW or Victoria, their parents/carers will need to keep the student at home, let the school know, and report the case to their state health authority. It will then be up to schools to choose whether they contact other parents to let them know that there has been a positive case in the school community and to “monitor their child for symptoms”. This is a common practice for other infectious diseases, and even for nits and lice, and schools should be prepared for this. More recent updates indicate that several other states and territories are also moving to adopt the same or similar practices.

 

The National Cabinet

The National Cabinet “is a forum for the Prime Minister, the Premiers and Chief Ministers to meet and work collaboratively”. The National Cabinet was formed on 13 March 2020 (at the start of the COVID pandemic) and is chaired by the Prime Minister. The National Cabinet is about promoting agreement among the states and territories in relation to key issues and courses of action. However, the National Cabinet website states that:

“the Commonwealth and state and territory governments individually remain responsible for the implementation of decisions arising from the National Cabinet in their jurisdiction.”

 

State and Territory Round Up

The table below is a summary of information from around the country. It highlights the requirements for schools in each state or territory, but also highlights the differences in approaches that each state or territory is adopting.

Questions that we have received from around the country include:

  • Are teachers considered essential workers in all states and territories?
  • How long will they have to isolate?
  • Will they need a RAT or PCR and then be allowed back in the classroom without a two-week isolation period?

These questions and more are being answered by state and territory governments. However, as has come to be expected since we first saw COVID hit our shores on 25 January 2020, every state and territory seems to be developing their own process and, apart from New South Wales and Victoria, whose governments worked together on their plans, every other state and territory has basically ‘re-invented their own wheel’.

 

Jurisdiction

Are Teachers Essential Workers?

What Are the Isolation Rules?

Resources or Media Links
Federal/National Cabinet
The Prime Minister has said it is “essential” for schools to remain open.
Teachers and childcare workers do not need to isolate for six days.
 
A teacher who is close contact of a positive COVID-19 case is permitted to return to work if they:
  • receive a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT); and
  • have no COVID-19 symptoms
 
 
ACT
Teachers are essential workers.
The ACT is following the National Cabinet’s approach.
 
Teachers and childcare workers do not need to isolate for six days.
 
A teacher who is close contact of a positive COVID-19 case is permitted to return to work if they:
  • receive a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT); and
  • have no COVID-19 symptoms.

Essential workers expanded to boost supply – The Canberra Times
NT
Teachers are essential workers on a case-by-case basis.
Teachers who are close contacts, but are not symptomatic, can continue to teach in school on the following conditions:
  • their work is considered essential at that time
  • they continue to be asymptomatic
  • they take a daily RAT for seven days.
Individual schools could decide whether a staff member is considered "essential" at any given time.
 
 New COVID-19 rules will apply to NT government schools in term one. Here's what you need to know – ABC News
NSW
Not listed on the list of critical workers per NSW Health
Isolation periods for teachers will be at their discretion. If a teacher is asymptomatic and they have returned a negative COVID-19 result on a RAT, they can return to work

If they are symptomatic or have a member of a household who needs care, then they can continue with the national guideline of seven days isolation for household close contacts.
 
QLD
Teachers are essential workers , education (secondary, primary and kindergarten teachers) is listed as a critical industry in the context of critically essential workers in QLD.
A critically essential worker may leave quarantine to carry out that role if they:
  • have no COVID-19 symptoms
  • are fully vaccinated (2 doses).
SA
No official comment
SA Government has not commented on the easing of close contact isolation restrictions for a teacher.
 
  
TAS
Teachers are Essential Workers
Teachers are eligible for an exemption from close contact isolation if they are not symptomatic and test negative for COVID-19.

If a teacher is a close contact to a positive case of COVID-19 they may return to work if they:
  • produce a negative test for COVID-19
  • do not have symptoms of COVID-19
  • take a RAT test every day for the seven day period and produce a negative result before attending work.
VIC
Teachers are considered essential workers.
Teachers are exempt from isolation if they are a close contact and may return to work if necessary and all other options have been exhausted. The employee and employer must both agree to the return and the employee must be fully vaccinated.

The requirements are that:
  • the worker must undertake a daily RAT for five days and return a negative result prior to attending work each day
  • the worker must always wear a face mask, except when eating or drinking, or for safety reasons, and a P2/N95 respirator is preferred
  • the worker cannot enter shared break areas and the employer must try and facilitate solo break time. The employer must also take reasonable steps to deploy the worker in areas where transmission risk is lower
  • if at any time the worker develops symptoms or tests positive on a RAT, the exemption no longer applies – they are a case, they must isolate for seven days, and must notify others including their employer.
WA
Teachers are Essential Workers
In June 2021, the Western Australian Government announced that education staff were considered to be essential workers.

The WA Government has developed its isolation, contact and testing protocols for schools, please refer to this LINK. The new protocols will only take effect when WA reaches a “very high caseload environment”.
 
 

 

What Is Your School Doing?

 

So, what has your school planned to do if and when you have high staff absentee rates?

 

School Governance would like to hear from schools that would like to share their plans and proposed practices so that we can share your experiences with other schools around the country. With different states and territories opening schools at differing times, it would be wonderful if those schools ‘on the front line’ would be prepared to share some of the plans that have worked so far or even some that did not help as much.

 

If you would like to share your experiences and some of your plans, please fill out the form below.

 


We are hoping, with your input, to highlight ‘best practice’ in how schools are dealing with COVID-19 in a constantly changing environment. After all, it can only benefit the children in our schools if we can keep their education process continuing.

 

 

Return-to-School Plans (for Government Schools)

For your information in this second table, based on all information to date, we have summarised some of the plans that have been put forward by the state or territory education departments for government schools.

In line with likely parent expectations, non-government schools will need to have equivalent or similar plans in place as appropriate.

 

State

Return-to-School Plan for Government Schools

Plan If There Are Insufficient Staff for Adequate Duty of Care

Resources or Media Links
ACT
  • All students to be provided with two RATs per week for four weeks, but not required to use them or provide proof of a negative result before returning to campus.
  • Masks will be mandatory for all teachers and high school students and recommended — but not required — for primary students in Year 3 and above.
  • On campus learning resumed on January 31 for new students and February 1 for returning students.
  • Entire classes will no longer be required to quarantine if a positive case is recorded among the cohort.
  • Casual relief staff will be called in, but some classes could be combined. Some non-essential activities could be cancelled to reallocate staff to classes.
  • Staff from the Education Directorate may be called in to supervise classes.
  • Teachers will be focused on delivering face-to-face classes in Term 1.
  • If students cannot attend school, there will be online resources for them to access at home.
  • Schools may be forced to switch to remote learning if there is a shortage of staff or an outbreak in a specific cohort.
 

 
NT
  • Remote school staff will be provided with three rapid antigen tests (RATs) the week before they return to remote communities. They must take test 1 on their first day back and take another on day three and day six.
  • Students or school staff members who test positive to coronavirus must isolate for seven days, as per the requirement for all Territorians.
  • Schools will provide RATS to parents to give their children.
  • Each school is required to have a COVID safety supervisor and a school response action plan, which covers procedures for managing a positive case on school grounds, as well as notifying families, carers and the school community.
  • An indoor mask mandate remains in place for children and people aged 12 and older, meaning middle and senior school students must continue to wear face masks indoors while on campus. Children 8 years old and older are encouraged to wear masks.
  • Air-conditioning units at all Territory government schools had been audited to ensure they provided adequate circulation.
  • 500 portable air purifiers are being delivered to schools that do not have central air-conditioning systems, especially schools in remote areas.
  • Schools will also have remote learning packs and online learning programs available for students who need to temporarily isolate, either because they have COVID-19 or their parent or carer wants to keep them at home.
  • The Education Department has registered teachers on stand-by to fill in for staff when needed during the term.
This information is for NT Government schools only.
 
NSW
  • As part of the new measures, every student and teacher in NSW government and non-government schools received RAT test kits before school returned on 1 February.
  • Twice a surveillance testing for primary and high school students, school staff and early childhood staff. Surveillance testing will be undertaken for the first four weeks of term, with two weeks of supply distributed before term starts.
  • Mandatory mask wearing for all staff and high school students, with masks encouraged for children in primary schools.
  • Limiting interaction between year groups.
  • Limiting visitors to those providing essential curriculum and wellbeing support.
  • COVID-safe settings in place for music, sport and excursions.
  • Maximising natural and mechanical ventilation, with air purifiers dispatched to where they are needed.
  • Contingency plans in place to manage any disruptions to the workforce.
  • The NSW Department of Education has expressed that they have corporate staff from the Department, retired teachers and student teachers on standby if required for staff shortages.
  • There are also home learning packages online for students and parents.
  • Where face-to-face learning is not possible, learning from home options will be supported for short periods.
 
QLD
  • Return to school has been delayed by two weeks.
  • Schools will implement Covid Safe Measures including practising good hygiene, using the Check in Qld App, cleaning and ensuring good air flow in learning spaces.
  • All staff and students over the age of 12 are required to wear masks. Students in year 3-6 will be provided with masks and encouraged to wear them.
  • Visitors will be limited on school sites with the exemption for parents and carers.
  • Suspension of school camps, excursions, assemblies and large gatherings.
  • Students and staff receive priority access to RAT at Queensland Health testing clinics.
  • If a staff member or student develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school they will be able to access free RATs from their school (Parents/carers will need to collect their child and administer the tests at home).
  • A number of activities limited including external contractors unless work is critical, parent-teacher interviews, staff meetings and professional development.
  • Individual schools will have plans in place to ensure the continuity of learning for all students and minimise disruption to students learning.
  • There may be times when schools need to adjust their timetable, combine classes or bring in relief staff to manage an workforce challenges.
  • There may be need to close schools on department or health advice.
  • Learning@home contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption to student learning, this included learning packages for kindy and Prep to Year 12 with parent support materials.
  • Consideration will be given to the nature and frequency of assessments and examinations should major disruptions to continuity of student learning occur, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority will publish updates regarding this.
 
Back to School 2022- Queensland Education Department
SA
 
  • ‘Classroom contact’ concept: If a positive case is detected when schools return teachers will be provided with seven RATs and will need to show a negative test result each morning and be symptom free.
  • Students will be notified and parents will be asked to monitor the symptoms of their children. Children can return to class if they have no symptoms.
  • There will be a staggered return to school, students of essential workers/ vulnerable people returned on 31 January.
  • Reception, Year 1, Year 7, year 8 and Year 12 students returned on 2 February and the remainder of students will return on 14 February.
  • Outdoor learning will be encouraged.
  • Schools will provide a quality remote learning program for all students in Years 2 to 6 and Years 9 to 11. Students in other year levels will learn at school.
  • Parents who are required to attend work and do not have appropriate supervision for their child can choose to send their child to school. Supervision will be provided for those students to complete the remote learning program.
 
TAS
  • Continuing COVID safe behaviours such as physical distancing and staying home when unwell.
     
  • All schools will have Outbreak Management Plans in place.
  • Students will not be defined as close contacts in a classroom. Parents and carers will be notified if a positive case is detected in the classroom and asked to monitor for symptoms.
  • Masks are mandatory for all secondary students in indoor settings. These will be supplied. Masks will be available for primary school students should they wish to wear one.
  • Rapid Antigen Tests will be provided to both school staff and students to use if they are symptomatic
  • Virtual Learning approaches to support students required to isolate.
  • If your child needs to isolate at home, their learning will be supported online.
  • No child will fall behind, and the core curriculum will be delivered at home.
  • We are prepared for any learning at home periods, and our workforce planning will ensure all learners have access to a teacher
  • Proactive strategies are in place to ensure that there are enough staff in schools.
  • If needed, relief teachers, recently retired teachers or teachers on long service leave will be called on.
Return to School Plan announced- Department of Education Tasmania
VIC
  • Surveillance testing will be strongly recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood education and care staff; twice weekly at home before school or childcare.
  • Students and staff at specialist schools will be recommended to test five days each week due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children.
  • School and early childhood staff will be added to the list of workers in key sectors who must receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 25 February if they are already eligible, or within three months and two weeks of receiving a second dose to continue working in education settings.
  • Schools will take a tiered approach to staff replacement:
  • One:
    Schools internally replacing teachers with casual teaching staff.
  • Two and three:
    Will involve schools combining some grades for a short period of time.
  • Where there are difficulties in finding available staff, schools will be able to call upon a ‘Job Opportunity’ pool comprised of retired or inactive teachers and support staff as well as final-year university students.
  • These staff will be deployed to local schools on a fixed-term basis and will hold a valid Working with Children Check or valid Victorian Institute of Teaching registration prior to the commencement of employment.
WA
  • Primary school children are not expected to wear masks, but they will have to do so once case numbers increase. Mask wearing would be introduced for primary school aged students from Year 3.
  • Only teachers and secondary students in Perth, Peel and the South-west were expected to wear masks when the new school year commenced.
  • Under the Education Department’s COVID-19 ventilation strategy, contractors have assessed 900 schools’ classroom windows and air-conditioning systems while students have been on holiday, identifying those that need air purifiers.
  • Hand sanitiser and masks will be available as required.
  • The state is still considering what role rapid antigen tests could play at schools
  • 97.5 per cent of teachers had uploaded their vaccination status.
  • A pool of 5000 fully vaccinated casual teachers, and around 450 non-school based but registered back-up teachers are ready to fill vacancies where required.
  • Staff and regular visitors to public schools must be double-dose vaccinated and get a booster within a month of being eligible.
  • Those parents who regularly volunteer – that is, coming to a school to do volunteer-type work more than once a week – will be required to show evidence of their vaccination status.
  • Flying squads of cleaners are available to deep clean schools where required.
  • Parts or all of West Australian public schools could close when a COVID-19 case is detected after students come back to classrooms.
  • Close contacts of any student or teacher would have to test and quarantine but the settings will change as cases climb.
 

 

 

Authors

Maddison Horne

Maddison Horne is a Legal Content Associate at CompliSpace. She recently completed a combined degree of Law and Communications (Political and Social Science) at the University of Technology Sydney.

 

Craig D'cruz

With nearly 40 years of educational experience, Craig D’cruz is the National Education Lead at CompliSpace. Craig provides direction on education matters including new products, program/module content and training. Previously Craig held the roles of Industrial Officer at the Association of Independent Schools of WA, he was the Principal of a K-12 non-government school, Deputy Principal of a systemic non-government school and he has had teaching and leadership experience in both the independent and Catholic school sectors. Craig currently sits on the board of a large non-government school and is a regular presenter on behalf of CompliSpace and other educational bodies on issues relating to school governance, school culture and leadership.
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