Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I trust you have enjoyed a break from school routine and were able to attend an Easter service with your family over the Easter break.

With the announcement of easing COVID restrictions from 22 April, and confirmation that the vaccination mandate will cease at midnight on 13 May 2022, I wish to draw your attention to the following:

1. Students who test positive for COVID-19 or are unwell or showing COVID-19 symptoms must continue to isolate at home.
2. A student identified as a close contact may return to school if guidelines agreed with NSW Health are followed, including daily rapid antigen testing for 5 school days. Students should complete a rapid antigen test and receive a negative result before attending school.
3. NSW Health advice is that if a person has had confirmed COVID in the last 12 weeks, they do not need to comply with the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines if they become a household/close contact within the 12 week period. Once this 12 week period ends, individuals are then subject to the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines
4. A close contact is someone who has been formally notified by NSW Health that they are a close contact.
5. From 6pm on Friday, 22 April, household/close contacts do not need to self-isolate if they do not have any symptoms, but must follow the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines for 7 days from the last time someone in their household tested positive for COVID-19. The Household and Close Contact Guidelines state that if you have or develop symptoms, you must self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19. If your test result is positive, you must follow the testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home advice. If your test result is negative, stay home until you do not have any symptoms.
6. Do household/close contact have to notify the College? Yes. The NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines requires students and staff members to notify the College if they are a household/close contact.
7. NSW Health requires household/close contacts over the age of 12 to wear a mask while in an indoor setting outside of the home if not required to isolate. This includes Secondary School students attending the school site. Primary School students are recommended to wear a mask indoors.

REDUCING THE RISK OF ILLNESS THIS WINTER

All students, staff and their families should follow NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of not only COVID-19, but also other illnesses that may affect schools this winter such as the flu. A reminder to please;

* stay home if unwell

* keep up to date with vaccinations – including the flu vaccine,

* get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result

* practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water

* take a RAHT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.

RAHT kits are available at the College Office for you to collect as required.

Thank you once again for the part you play in helping to keep our community safe. I pray for a reasonably settled and uninterrupted term ahead.

Regards,

Sharon Sopher
Principal

Belmont Christian College

Phone: (02) 49228300
Email: college@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Web: www.bcc.nsw.edu.au
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Street: 65 John Fisher Road, Belmont NSW 2280
Post: PO Box 492, Belmont NSW 2280