On the 23 January 2022 the NSW Government announced its 2022 COVID Return to Schools plan for the state’s public schools.
The government is focusing on keeping NSW schools open and is putting in place additional measures to deal with the current Omicron variant within the overall pandemic.
In addition to the email to you from the Education Secretary on 23 January 2022, please see the COVID-smart measures fact sheet for school staff HERE.
Rapid Antigen Testing (RATs) The department will supply students and staff with tests to support surveillance testing in the first few weeks of term. Staff and students are being asked to take two tests a week before attending school. Students and staff are not required to confirm or report on the use of their tests to the schools but all positive results must be reported to Service NSW and to the school in line with relevant Public Health Orders.
Cohorting and Physical Distancing Schools will continue to limit physical interaction and scope for transmission. Arrangements will be tailored by each school to minimise opportunities for the virus to spread.
Check-in All staff and essential visitors will continue to use the school’s QR code check-in. Don’t forget your union Organisers are considered essential visitors. All PSA Organisers are fully vaccinated.
Hygiene and Cleaning These practices will continue as in Term 4. Additional supplies will be available if required.
Masks All primary and secondary school staff and secondary school students will be required to wear surgical masks indoors. No vented masks or cloth masks should be worn. Surgical masks will be available at schools. Primary school students are strongly recommended to wear well-fitted masks indoors.
Vaccinations All staff, volunteers and providers on school site must be fully vaccinated and the Department of Education is strongly encouraging all students to get vaccinated. Staff are expected to access their booster shot when they become eligible.
The PSA recommends members seek the advice of their doctor in relation to vaccination and boosters. We will keep members informed of the legal and industrial requirements of complying with boosters if they become mandatory.
Visitors No external visitors are allowed on school sites unless they are a parent or carer accompanying their child for Kindergarten or Year 7 transition to school, or they are an essential non-school based staff member or third-party provider supporting school operations (including canteen and uniform shop), curriculum or student and staff wellbeing. There may be adjustments to visitors allowed on site over the coming week and we advise you to refresh your knowledge of Department requirements for this regularly.
PSA Organisers are considered essential visitors and can come on site as long as they comply with all safety measures such as mask-wearing. All PSA Organisers are fully vaccinated.
School Psychologists and Student Support Officers
Advice to School Psychologists and SSOs is to continue operating under the same settings as term 4, originally sent on 21 October 2021. The PSA requested that the Department redistribute these to all relevant staff.
School Development Days and Professional Learning
School development days are moving online wherever possible. COVID-safe protocols will be a main focus of the day.
Any in-person meetings that are essential to occur on school sites should follow strict COVID-safe measures, including meeting outside or in a well-ventilated space, mask wearing and physical distancing.
Staff absences
To support the continuity of learning for students, the Department of Education will be:
- filling absences with current casual workforce
- encouraging recently retired Teachers and Principals, and final-year teaching students to work casual vacancies
- making arrangements for non-classroom-based teaching staff such as teacher librarians and careers advisers, non-school based teaching staff as well as COVID ILSP staff to be available when needed.
The PSA has been advised that some School Administrative and Support (SAS) Staff have been requested to return from vacation early. Unless formally directed you are able to decline to attend until your scheduled first day back at work. Speak with your Principal about additional hours or time-in-lieu options if you choose to return to work early. Please be aware that additional hours claimed during your scheduled term holiday will only attract 50 per cent of your normal rate of pay; this applies to SAS Staff.
PSA members are not to supervise students: this is the responsibility of the School Principal and Teaching staff.
Don’t forget that, if necessary, you can access Workers’ Compensation if you contract COVID-19. The PSA can provide you advice in relation to this.
If you have any questions about how the settings will work, in the first instance please speak to your Principal or Supervisor.
If your queries are not dealt with in a timely manner or you require union assistance, please contact your PSA Organiser or PSA Member Support on 1300 772 679.
New staff, new members: join up your colleagues today
If you know someone who is not a member, or have any new starters at your school, now is the time to invite them to be part of the PSA by JOINING.
You can support the work of the union and your delegates just by joining or encouraging others to join.