Colac Secondary College closed Friday

Colac Secondary College will extend its school closure to tomorrow as DHHS investigations remain ongoing.

A member of the school community received a positive COVID-19 case last night, prompting a precautionary closure.

CSC said in a statement tonight it would remain closed “until further advised” to ensure the safety of the school and the wider community.

CSC said the confirmed case had not attended the school “for an extended period”.

It said it would provide remote classes during the closure, but students could continue school-sanctioned work.

Students, staff and community members should not enter the school while investigations continue.

Read principal Scott Dellar’s full statement below:

“As you are aware, Colac Secondary College was advised of a reported case of coronavirus (COVID-19) and was closed for 24 hours on Thursday 30th July 2020 as a precautionary measure.

“This case has been reported to the Department of Education and Training (DET), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is currently undertaking further investigation.

“As was mentioned yesterday; the reported case has not been onsite at CSC for an extended period of time, as they have been isolating as part of the community strategy. However to adhere to the highest level of safety for the College and the wider community, the Department of Education and Training has decided to continue this precautionary approach, while DHHS complete their assessment of this particular situation.

“As a result of this, the school will now remain closed from 30 July 2020 until further advised.

“Please note this precautionary strategy means that the school will be closed to all students, staff and members of the community; and at no stage should any person enter the College site until further notice.

“While DHHS conducts further investigation, all staff and students are asked to work from home until further advice is provided.

“At this stage staff and students do not need to seek testing unless you develop symptoms.

“The school will be closed to all students, staff and members of the community.

“This means that even the following categories of students are not able to attend school, until I advise you differently:

• students in years 11 and 12

• students in Year 10 for VCE or VCAL classes

• students who require on-site supervision – including children whose parents cannot work from home and where no other arrangements can be made, vulnerable children and children with a disability.

“Remote learning will not be provided over this closure period; but student work to complete can be viewed via the weekly checklist for years 7-11, and the session checklist for Year 12. Please see your class Compass Newsfeed for this information.

“The precautionary closure will also allow further cleaning of the school site to occur, even though the reported case has not been onsite at CSC for an extended period of time.

“While DHHS conducts further investigation, all staff and students are asked to work from home until further advice is provided.”