Frequently asked questions updated 6 May 2022
ACT public schools have a range of COVID-19 health and safety measures in place to protect students and staff.
If you have a question that you would like answered on this page, please submit your question here and we will endeavour to answer it for you.
Are public school students learning on-campus?
Yes. ACT Public School students are learning on campus. All ACT public schools have COVID-19 safety plans in place and have implemented comprehensive strategies to minimise transmission of COVID-19.
Can my child remain at home if I am not comfortable sending them to school?
Children and young people learn best in person and for the majority of students it’s important to return to on campus learning with their peers.
Schools will continue to support students who have a medical vulnerability which requires them to learn from home. Students will receive a modified learning program that will be developed with their school. A letter from your medical practitioner will support your school in making reasonable adjustments for your child. This applies to students, or members of their family, who are medically vulnerable to COVID-19.
Will my child be marked as an 'unexplained absence' if they don’t have a medical certificate?
Parents can notify the school that their child will be absent from school and rolls will be marked accordingly. If parents do not inform the school, then students will be marked with an unexplained absence and normal contact procedures will occur.
If a child is living with a parent who has a heightened vulnerability, will the child be supported to learn remotely?
Teachers will not offer simultaneous online and face to face classes, however learning content will be available online for students to access at home.
What support will schools provide if my child stays at home?
For those who remain at home, the following options are in place:
Preschool to year 2
Students in Preschool – year 2 will be able to access a range of learning resources through the Education Directorate’s Home Learning website . These resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and updated each Friday afternoon.
Learning material will include daily lessons in English, mathematics and one other learning area.
This learning will not be formally reported on in the semester 1 school report.
A wellbeing check-in will be conducted once a week by a staff member from your child’s school.
Year 3 to year 6
Students in years 3-6 will be able to access, at a minimum, one English, mathematics and one other curriculum area each day through Google classroom or an alternative learning package provided by their school. This may be organised as a weekly program. The work provided will be similar to the work done at school in these subject areas. There will be no explicit instruction for students learning remotely.
Students can submit completed work for feedback and some of this learning may be reported on in the semester 1 school report.
A wellbeing check-in will be conducted once a week by a staff member from your child’s school.
Year 7 to year 10
Students in years 7-10 will continue to access the curriculum that teachers would normally provide through their Google classroom. This may include tasks or assignments, but it will not necessarily cover the full curriculum that is available through on campus learning. There will be no explicit instruction for students learning remotely while on campus delivery is available for their year group.
Students can submit completed work for feedback or assessment and this learning may contribute to the semester 1 school reports.
A wellbeing check-in will be conducted once a week by a staff member from your child’s school.
Year 11 and 12
Colleges have worked closely with the Board of Senior Secondary Studies to apply flexibility around attendance and assessment schedules for year 11 and 12 students as required over the past two years and already utilise Google Classroom for all students.
We encourage all families to maintain contact with their child’s school.
What plans are in place to manage any staffing availability in ACT public schools impacted by COVID-19?
At the start of 2022, the Education Directorate worked in consultation with principals and the unions to develop plans to support schools that might experience COVID-19-related staffing pressures, particularly in the winter months.
This plan includes practical steps that can be taken to assist schools if they have reduced staffing, including accessing the casual relief pool, redeploying specialist teachers and school executives on to classes.
In a case where a school experiences severely reduced staffing which would prevent normal face-to-face learning continuing, our plan includes the option for some classes or year groups to temporarily switch to remote learning. In some instances, where there is insufficient staff to maintain face to face learning for most year groups, the entire school may need to switch to remote learning for a short period.
The Directorate will support schools and school communities through any transition to short-term periods of remote learning if they are required.
Can my child attend school if someone in our household has COVID-19?
Yes, students who live with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19 can attend school, if they have met ACT Health’s risk mitigation requirements for household contacts. This includes regular RAT testing, and wearing a mask if they are in high school or college.
Please tell your child’s school if they are a household contact.
Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms must not come to school.
Can staff members attend school if someone in their household has COVID-19?
Yes, staff who live with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19 can attend school, if they have met ACT Health’s risk mitigation requirements for household contacts . This includes regular RAT testing and wearing a mask. Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms must not come to school.
Can parents and carers enter school grounds?
Yes. Parents and carers are allowed on campus to participate in activities, including after-hours performances, fund raisers such as election day stalls, and events such as school information nights.
Parents and carers can also come onto school grounds (outdoors) for drop-offs and pick up.
Parents and carers can enter school classrooms or indoor settings with an appointment, including to access enrolment support, or when attending a permitted activity. Parents and carers can book an appointment with their school.
Parents and carers must wear a face mask if they are entering school buildings and cannot physically distance.
Who can visit schools?
Visitors are allowed to enter school grounds with a booked appointment.
Visitors must comply with COVID-smart measures at school, and sign in at school front offices.
Do you need to be vaccinated to go to school?
No. All staff and students are encouraged to consider getting a COVID-19 vaccination, but this is not a requirement to attend school.
COVID-19 vaccination is no longer mandated for school staff.
Does my child have to wear a mask if they attend school?
Masks remain an important measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and in our schools.
Alongside other COVID Smart behaviours, masks can help reduce transmission of COVID-19 respiratory illnesses in our schools.
Students in years 7-12 continue to be encouraged to wear a mask at school when in crowded indoors environments and where physical distancing can’t be maintained.
Staff and visitors to schools must also wear a mask indoors when physical distancing can’t be maintained.
All students are welcome to wear a face mask if that is their preference, but they are not recommended for children in early care and education centres.
Will students need to socially distance? If not, why not?
Physical distancing between children and young people is not always possible, particularly in single classrooms in early childhood education and care settings (ECECs) and schools. While there are no density requirements at school, everyone is encouraged to maintain safe physical distance where possible.
What are the ways to improve ventilation?
The quickest and easiest way is opening windows in classrooms, adjusting the heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system and turning on exhaust fans in rooms that have them. Other actions include reopening windows that have been fixed or painted shut - where it’s safe to do so.
Outdoor learning will be encouraged wherever possible.
What is an Air Quality Plan?
Every ACT Public School has developed an Indoor Air Quality Plan which is available on your school’s website.
Based on the school’s indoor air quality assessment, the Plan lists actions already undertaken by the Directorate (e.g. HVAC systems change) and actions for schools to undertake each day (including opening windows to promote natural ventilation and turning on exhaust fans).
Do ACT public schools have CO2 monitors?
Many of our schools have CO2 sensors which can electronically adjust the HVAC system. The Directorate is also installing additional CO2 sensors across the school network.
New technologies to neutralise airborne viruses and improve air quality continue to emerge. We will monitor studies on their effectiveness and pilot suitable technologies in our schools when appropriate.
Do we need HEPA filters and air purification units in ACT public schools?
Safe Work Australia and the AHPPC advise air purification units and HEPA filters can be useful in spaces where ventilation is measured to be inadequate. Fortunately ACT public schools do not have many rooms without enough ventilation and these rooms are typically not teaching spaces. Air purifiers received during the 2019-20 bushfires have been allocated where required across ACT public schools.
How will schools address ventilation in the colder months?
Last year ventilation experts assessed every single ACT public school, and all public schools now have detailed ventilation plans in place.
The initial packages of work focused on opening up windows and HVAC changes to increase fresh air supply, but the focus has now moved to longer term solutions to prepare for the cooler months.
A key longer-term strategy will be to install heat recovery and energy ventilation systems, that provide warm conditioned outdoor air and complement existing heating systems and replace recirculating split systems. The Directorate has already been pre-purchasing these units, which will be installed at priority sites
How will rapid antigen tests be used in schools and early childhood education and care services?
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) continue to be available at ACT schools and will be provided to staff and students on an as needed basis, or in response to increased cases reported to a school. Early childhood staff also have continued access to RATs under the same distribution arrangements.
Families and students who require a RAT are able to collect them from their school. If they are not attending school at that time or are subject to isolation or quarantine requirements the student’s family may make alternative arrangements with the school to collect RATs through a relative, neighbour or other student.
ACT Health has a factsheet with more information about rapid antigen testing for children.
Do parents need to provide a child’s rapid antigen test result to their school?
Parents are required to report a positive rapid antigen test to ACT Health and follow their advice about quarantine arrangements. You can find more information on the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website .
You are only required to report a positive COVID-19 to your school if your child has attended during their infectious period. More information is available on the ACT Health COVID-19 website . You do not need to report a negative rapid antigen test to your child’s school.
Is it compulsory for staff and students to do rapid antigen tests twice a week?
No, it is not compulsory for students or staff to do a rapid antigen test.
Will work experience resume this year?
External training and work experience opportunities, including Australian School Based Apprenticeships, can be supported in the local community where they are necessary to a student’s program of study and operate in line with Public Health Directions. Employers should have COVID-19 Safety Plans in place.
Can canteens and uniforms shops be opened?
Canteens and uniform shops can open, including for counter service, with COVID safety measures in place .
Can I hold fundraisers for my school?
Yes. Fundraisers can go ahead on school sites with COVID safety measures in place.
Can schools host events like fetes, concerts or assemblies?
School assemblies and performances can occur on school sites .
Parents and carers can attend permitted activities where they are outdoors, outside of school hours, or ticketed. Parents and carers must follow COVID smart measures at all times on school sites (physical distancing, hygiene practices, staying away if unwell). Events on school sites that involve the general public can only be held outside of school hours, must have a COVID Safety Plan in Place, and must comply with the COVID Safe Events Guidance (115kb).
Are excursions permitted?
Yes, excursions and activities involving individual classes or year groups are allowed, where these form a core component of the curriculum. A COVID-safe plan should be developed ahead of any excursion.
Are interstate excursions and camps permitted?
. Yes, interstate and overnight excursions are allowed with COVID Safety plans in place. Schools must plan how they will manage a child or staff member who develops symptoms of COVID-19, or has a positive COVID-19 test, while interstate. Parents must be available to pick up children who become unwell while away.
What are the rules for schools visiting the ACT from other states?
Schools should develop their own management plan for school visits to Canberra, including management of a sick child or a child or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms, or has a positive COVID-19 test. More information is on the ACT COVID-19 website .
Is out of school hours care operating?
Yes. Out of school hours care is operating as normal, with COVID safe measures in place.
Can school libraries continue to operate, including those shared with the community?
Yes, libraries may operate including those shared with the community with COVID safety measures in place and frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces.
Are sports classes permitted at school?
Yes, school sports can take place without cohorting restrictions.
Are school sport carnivals permitted?
Yes. From term 2, swimming carnivals and school sports competitions can resume off school grounds. Parents are welcome to attend these events.
Can dance classes, school choirs, band and orchestras go ahead in term 1?
Dance classes school choirs, band, and orchestras can occur on school sites.
Are schools hiring out their facilities?
Yes. Please contact your local school about booking availability.