COVID-19 Information and FAQs

Updated: 13 May 2022

For up to the minute information please refer to the Western Australian (WA) Department of Health and WA Government of websites; HealthyWA and WA.gov.au, as these sites are continually updated with new information as circumstances change.

Catholic Education Western Australia continues to align with WA Government advice to provide our schools and school community with relevant information and updates as these relate to students and staff.

The health, wellbeing and safety of all students remains our highest priority, and additional cleaning and hygiene regimes will be maintained in line with advice from the WA Department of Health. Schools will continue to practise physical distancing between adults, where possible, and encourage good personal hygiene at all times.

Knowing this is a uniquely challenging time for all of us, Catholic schools will continue to focus on the care and wellbeing of students, staff and families as we unite to manage the risks of COVID-19 in our community.

Baseline Settings in Catholic schools

Are schools open?

Who is required to attend school?

What if my child is unwell?

Students and parents are not to attend schools if they are unwell (symptomatic) or test positive to COVID-19, until permitted under public health requirements. Parents are asked to seek medical advice if their child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 and are encouraged to notify the school if they have undergone testing. Normal processes for advising the school of a child’s absence will apply for any parent who keeps their unwell child home.

Are before and after school care (Out-of-School Hours Care) able to operate on school sites?

Who needs to wear a mask?

Asymptomatic close contacts (in Year 7 or above 12 years of age) are required to wear a mask outside of the home at all times.
The mask mandate no longer applies to staff and students in schools. Students and staff are encouraged to wear a mask should they wish.
Masks are required on public transport, including public transport taken during the course of school activities, as well as in vehicles provided by schools.

Are parents and caregivers allowed in classrooms?

Are schools required to use the safeWA app?

Why is it important for children to attend school?

It is important for students to be physically connected with their school, staff and classmates.

Every day away from engaged learning has a negative impact on student outcomes.

The School Education Act 1999 states the requirement that: A student must attend on the days on which the school is open for instruction.

When a student is enrolled in a school, it is compulsory for them to attend every day of the instructional program.

Students whose parents and carers choose to keep them at home, without medical reason, will be marked as absent.

All the evidence supports regular attendance as being critical to educational outcomes. There is no educationally safe level of absence.

Will schools provide learning programs for students at home without a medical referral?

Will I have to pay school fees if I am facing significant financial stress due to COVID-19?

Are students required to be vaccinated?

Health and hygiene practices in schools

How will you keep my child safe?

The health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff will remain our highest priority.

Catholic schools will continue to review and respond to cleaning and hygiene protocols in line with advice from the Department of Health.

In line with Department of Health advice, all Catholic schools have the following measures in place to support the continuation of teaching and learning:

Use of well-ventilated spaces;
Physical distancing in compliance with the Public Health Orders;
Staff, students and visitors reminded to use COVID-19 safe practices such as hand and respiratory hygiene;
Continued cleaning services and supplies.

Playgrounds are open and play equipment is being cleaned in accordance with the AHPPC guidelines. When accessing playgrounds students will be reminded to focus on hygiene and wash hands before and after using this equipment.

Child protection measures will also continue to be at the forefront of all undertakings and staff will be adhering to their Code of Conduct obligations, as always.

Unwell students, parents or staff are to remain at home until they are well.

What if my child is an asymptomatic household close contact?

A close contact is now defined as:

A household member of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period.
Someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period where:
- they spent greater than 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in any 24-hour period in a residential setting (for instance a home or accommodation facility).
- where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact.
Someone who is directed by WA Health that they are a close contact.

Asymptomatic close contacts are not required to isolate but do have to follow testing and mask wearing requirements. There is no requirement for parents to report to a school that their child has tested negative to COVID-19, but they are encouraged to do so via the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Portal to further support schools with their management of COVID-19.

Parents/caregivers are instructed to inform the school if their child tests positive and must keep them home until well and free of symptoms. Parents/caregivers must be reminded to also report their child’s positive RAT to WA Health.

Which school activities will take place?

School activities during school hours, offsite and onsite, must promote and practise good hygiene principles.

The following activities may take place without restriction:

Band, choir and orchestra rehearsals and performances.
Whole school and year level assemblies.
Sporting programs.
Professional learning activities and conferences.
Inter-school activities and workshops.
School balls.
Excursion and offsite events can resume in accordance with venue-based requirements.

What about school facilities such as the canteen and library?

Is the uniform shop open?

Parents and Caregivers

What can parents and carers do to help?

Parents and caregivers can help by:

Letting your school know if your child is unwell.
Letting your school know if your child will be engaging in teaching and learning at school or from home if they have a medical referral to learn from home or live with a family member who is medically vulnerable.
Making sure your school has the correct contact details for your family.
Making sure you’ve installed your school’s communication apps on your device.
Encouraging your child to practice good hygiene, at home and at school.

How can I talk to my child about COVID-19?

Are parents required to vaccinated?

All Catholic schools are committed to keeping the community safe and to minimising the risk of exposure to COVID-19. All staff employed at Catholic schools are compliant with the Public Health Orders regarding mandatory vaccination.

Parents and carers are not required to show proof of vaccination when:

dropping off or picking up their child from school, including entering the classroom
volunteering at school on an ad hoc basis (attending only one school no more than once per week)
attending an event such as an outdoor sports carnival.

Parents and carers who regularly support our schools are required to comply with the mandatory vaccination direction order to continue to be a regular volunteer. These parents and carers are required to provide proof of their double dose vaccination from 31 January 2022 and must have their third dose (booster) within one calendar month of becoming eligible or an exemption when:

volunteering at the school more than once a week
working in an unpaid capacity at the school more than once a week
participating in an endorsed program at the school where parent attendance is required.

More information

Visit the Healthy WA COVID-19 website for more information and details about the Novel coronavirus
Call the Novel coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
For general or travel related queries about Novel coronavirus please go to the healthdirect website
You can also visit the World Health Organisation website for more information about the Novel coronavirus and for updates
Talk to your local GP or Community Health Centre

Additional support services include:

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Headspace – 1800 650 890
Parent Helpline – 1300 1300 52
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Lifeline – 13 11 14

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Information and FAQs

Key Info

Updated: 13 May 2022

For up to the minute information please refer to the Western Australian (WA) Department of Health and WA Government of websites; HealthyWA and WA.gov.au, as these sites are continually updated with new information as circumstances change.

On this page

Baseline Settings in Catholic schools

Health and hygiene practices in schools

Parents and Caregivers

More information

50 Ruislip Street
Leederville WA 6007

PO Box 198
Leederville WA 6903

(08) 9380 1800

Get in Touch:

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Information and FAQs

Key Info

Updated: 13 May 2022

For up to the minute information please refer to the Western Australian (WA) Department of Health and WA Government of websites; HealthyWA and WA.gov.au, as these sites are continually updated with new information as circumstances change.

On this page

Baseline Settings in Catholic schools

Health and hygiene practices in schools

Parents and Caregivers

More information

50 Ruislip StreetLeederville WA 6007

PO Box 198 Leederville WA 6903

(08) 9380 1800

Get in Touch:

50 Ruislip Street
Leederville WA 6007

PO Box 198
Leederville WA 6903