Staff COVID Protocols
COVID-19 is still in our community.
Brighton Grammar School remains committed to ensuring a safe place of work, learning and wellbeing for our staff and students.
Here you will find information and guidance about Brighton Grammar’s plans for managing a safe working environment. This information is reviewed and updated as required.
All staff are encouraged to read through the protocols below to ensure their adherence when working on-site.
COVIDSafe Protocols
The School’s Senior Executive continues to monitor the advice provided by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and Victorian Chief Health Officer.
The School is committed to ensuring the following COVIDSafe principles continue to be carried out whilst operating on-site. This, however, also requires a commitment from all staff to practise good hygiene, stay at home if unwell and be aware of what to do if you test positive.
Expectations regarding staff attendance
What to do if you test positive to COVID-19
Whilst mandatory isolation requirements have been dropped, Government advice recommends that you should isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms. This means you should not attend work for this period of time.
Most people will still be infectious after 5 days if they still have symptoms. A negative RAT will indicate that you are no longer infectious.
Should staff need to isolate as a result of testing positive, the staff member will be able to access their accrued personal (sick) leave.
If a staff member decides to self-isolate as a precaution, the School will support them doing so through the provision of leave without pay.
Should a staff member wish to work from home, permission is required from the relevant member of Senior Executive.
For an up to date COVID-19 Checklist for those who test positive visit: Checklist for COVID-19 cases – Better Health Channel.
What to do if you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive to COVID-19
COVID-19 can take time to develop, so you should monitor for symptoms for at least 7 days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19. As a close contact you should regularly test for at least 7 days following your last contact with the person who has COVID-19.
Even if you test negative, the Government strongly recommends that the following steps are followed:
- wear a mask when leaving the house, including on public transport, at work, school, and other indoor spaces, especially if you’re a close contact;
- let fresh air into your home or other indoor spaces by opening windows, where possible;
- monitor for symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or fever/chills, and stay home and test if they present.
For further information, please visit: Checklist for COVID-19 contacts – Better Health Channel
Rapid Antigen Testing
It is recommended that RATs are used by staff (and students) only when symptomatic. RATs are also required to be used for 5 days if a staff member is a close contact of a confirmed case and they are working at a school.
The School will continue to provide rapid antigen tests (RATs) to staff and students until our current stock levels deplete. RATs can be collected, if needed, from your nearest Reception.
Health & Safety
- To minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19, please follow the same hygiene protocols encouraged of our students by:
- washing your hands often with soap and warm running water and drying them with paper towel or hand dryer
- using an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water if your hands are not visibly dirty
- disposing of used tissues, paper towels and masks in rubbish bins provided.
- Staff who feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as a sore throat, low grade fever (37.5 degrees or above) and a slight runny nose, are asked to stay at home. Please follow your usual process for advising your illness (including completing a leave form).
Staff Wellbeing
- All staff have access to the School’s Employee Assistance Program should you feel the need for some additional support. Converge International offer confidential telephone and remote counselling services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can be contacted on 1300 687 327 or online via www.convergeinternational.com.au
Please contact your Head of School, the Chief Operating Officer, or Human Resources should you have any queries about the above protocols or should you continue to have concerns specific to your area/situation.
Updated 11 January 2024