Mandatory vaccinations for staff and volunteers as per SA Government direction
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we continue to carefully monitor the advice around COVID-19, we assure you that Torrens Valley Christian School is receiving and responding to regular updated information from the South Australian Government and health authorities regarding COVID-19.
From 23 November 2021 South Australian borders will open and it is expected that there will be COVID-19 in our community.
Today, the Commissioner of Police, acting in his role as the State Coordinator responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced the Emergency Management (Education and Early Childhood Settings Vaccination) (COVID-19) Direction 2021. This is a cross sectorial direction, applying to all DECD, independent and Catholic schools in South Australia.
Under this Direction, COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for all people who work at an education and early childhood setting, except those who have a medical exemption endorsed by the Chief Public Health Officer. This includes:
- All employees and contractors
- Anyone who visits a site for work purposes
- All Governing Council members and employees
- All volunteers / parent helpers (people who assist with reading, camps, excursions, canteen, fundraising etc)
- OSHC (including Vacation Care) providers/employees
- Contracted bus driver and transport providers
Under this Direction, all of the above-mentioned people must receive at least 1 dose of a Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccination and a booking to receive a second dose by 10 December 2021.
This Direction does not include students or parents who do not work/volunteer at the school, preschool or children’s centre, playgroups or play centres off site, delivery drivers, people responding to urgent maintenance tasks or an emergency situation.
We will be in regular contact with you as we receive updates from government and health authorities and keep you informed of further developments as they come to hand.
Please note: Vaccines for students have not been mandated under this Direction.
For the remainder of this year it is expected that any school which experiences a positive case will be supported by SA Health in managing the requirements. Schools will not have to determine who constitutes a close or casual contact.
We remind parents that you should continue to use QR codes, hand hygiene and physical distancing. Unwell staff, students or parents should not attend the School site.
In my heart and prayers….
We also wish to ensure that we, as a school community, model the faith, hope and love that is at the heart of the gospel. As Christians, we are seeking to faithfully hold to two truths: the seriousness of this virus, and the supremacy of our God. As in all things we believe that God is our refuge and hope, and our loving Father.
God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble – Psalm 46:1
Open communication is one of the things we value here at Torrens Valley. I warmly welcome you to contact me if you would like to explore these, or any other matters, with me.
As always, my door is open. Please don’t hesitate to direct any queries you might have to me or to the specific COVID hotline: COVID19@tvcs.sa.edu.au
Yours in Christ’s service,
Julie Prattis
Principal
