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COVID-19 – Latest Updates and Resources (Ref: 060/20)
For the latest updates and helpful resources and advice regarding COVID-19 and it’s impacts on the Catholic Education sector please refer to the COVID-19 Section on the Catholic Schools New South Wales Website. Diocesan Directors and Principals are encouraged to access the COVID-19 Response Portal for relevant resources and information.
Schools invited to apply for a school crossing supervisor (Ref: 076/20)
Schools across NSW are encouraged to apply for a school crossing supervisor in a new round of the Government’s crossing supervisor program.
The NSW Government is currently rolling out 300 additional school crossing supervisors at NSW schools by 2021, as part of a three year $18.5 million initiative to improve road safety for school children.
To apply for a school crossing supervisor, please click here.
Learn German Online with the Goethe Institute (Ref:075/20)
Everyone interested in learning German in Australia can now do so online! Goethe Institute now offer online German courses. There is no need to be based in Melbourne or Sydney. You can learn German from wherever you are in Australia.
Click here to find out more.
Support for Bushfire-Affected School Students and Families in NSW (Ref:017/20)
Please refer to the Catholic Schools New South Wales website for a range of resources and information to support bushfire-affected schools, students and families.
Information includes:
– Financial support for families
– Community support
– Mental health support
– How Catholic schools communities and parishes can help
Please note all this information has previously been provided to diocesan directors and school principals via memo over the last few weeks.
Australian Government Update on Coronavirus Measures (Ref:082/20)
The Federal Government has released an update on COVID-19 measures. To access the update please click here.
NSW Government Letter Re NCIRS Study on COVID-19 in Schools (Ref:083/20)
The NSW Government has sent a letter to Principals sharing the research prepared by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) into the transmission of COVID-19 in NSW schools.
To view the letter please click here.
Government Releases Five new studies on Impact of Remote Learning (Ref:081/20)
The Australian Government commissioned five pieces of research to examine the potential impact of remote learning from home on educational outcomes for vulnerable cohorts of children, including barriers to access and evidence-based actions to respond.
For more information please click here.
Animal Research Authority 2020 (Ref: 078/20)
The use of animals in schools for educational purposes is governed by the Animal Research Act (1985) NSW. Catholic Schools NSW meets a requirement of this Act by issuing an Animal Research Authority to each school annually.
Accompanying this advice is the annual Animal Research Authority for the Principal and teachers who use animals to complete and retain within the school. Both pages of the Authority need to be completed. The names of teachers approved by the Principal to handle animals should be listed on the second page of the Authority, along with each teacher’s signature.
The Animal Welfare Liaison Officer, appointed by the Principal, must also be identified. The Principal is the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer in Schools for Specific Purposes, primary and infants schools. In central and secondary schools, it is generally the teacher most qualified to supervise the use of animals for teaching and research purposes. A full description of the role of the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer can be found at Animals in schools>Compliance>Responsibilities accessed at http://nswschoolanimals.com/compliance/responsibilities/.
The information on page two of the Animal Research Authority must be updated when changes in personnel occur at the school. The Animal Research Authority must be retained at the school and made available to appropriately authorised people including officers of the NSW Department of Education, inspectors from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Animal Welfare Unit and officers involved with, and members of, the Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee.
If you require further information about the Animal Research Authority, please contact Gerard Delany, State Manager – Education Policy by email [email protected]
Further information can be obtained via the link below:
2020 Animal Research Authority Catholic Schools New South Wales v1
2020 NSW Fire and Rescue Open Week Online! (Ref:079/20)
Due to Social Distancing restrictions, this year’s Fire and Rescue Open Day has become an Online Open Week. The 2020 FRNSW Open Day (week) will be hosted online from 16-22 May 2020. NSW Fire and Rescue are aiming to help young people experience something different this year and bring their home (fire stations) to the student’s homes and show them what it’s like to be a fire fighter and provide life lessons about being safe in emergencies.
The key messages for young people this year include:
Get down low and go, go, go
If you see smoke or fire, tell an adult
Get out, stay out. Never go back inside
In an emergency call 000
Have and practice, your home fire escape plan
Stop, drop, cover and roll
Never play with fire
Information concerning the online open week will be hosted here once it becomes available.
Tune into Taronga TV For Your Daily Dose of Animal Antics (Ref:070/20)
For the first time in Taronga’s 103-year-history, Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo will be going virtual, with the launch Taronga TV having occurred on 1 April 2020.
Tune in daily for a packed schedule of fascinating keepers talks and shows, 24/7 live animal streams, amusing animal antics and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at what the animals (and the keepers) actually get up to when the zoo is closed.
For more information please click here.