COVID-19 College Updates

Donations to the COVID-19 Relief Fund

For those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to our COVID-19 Relief Fund, supporting students financially affected by the pandemic, please visit the Support St Andrew’s page or contact our Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell: via advancement@standrewscollege.edu.au or +61 2 9565 7303.

Below: Jack Grant, 2020 Senior Student

 

3 July 2020

Dear Students,

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our residents back to College over the coming weeks.

Planning a safe return for all students and staff has been a top priority for the College, and as a result, we have compiled a COVIDSafe Action Plan.

This document is a very comprehensive resource, gathering up all of the operational and procedural planning we have done in preparation for re-opening for Semester 2.

Our action plan is subject to amendment as the prevailing conditions change within the College and broader community.

With warmest regards

Wayne Erickson, Principal

 

26 June 2020

Dear Students,

We are pleased to welcome our residents back to College for Semester 2 2020 and would like to make you aware of the revised conditions of residency that are attached to the offer of continued residency.

Residential life at College will be very different. Changes will be necessary to ensure that you, your fellow residents and our staff can continue to attend College safely and that above all, the health and well-being remains the highest priority. In order to return to College, you will need to accept these non-negotiable terms and the significant consequences that will be imposed if you breach these, up to and including fines and permanent exclusion.

These terms are specifically in relation to: mandatory physical distancing; good hygiene and cleaning practices; self-isolation and testing protocols and the need to quarantine residents where necessary; guidelines for use of any facilities; and event management plans and limits upon the size of gatherings. In addition, you will be asked to complete a survey and undertake specific prevention strategies to ascertain your general health and risk prior to your return.

Completion of Survey Prior to Return

All residents must be willing to answer questions asked regarding your general health and well-being, and the places you have visited since leaving College. You will be asked if you have come into contact with suspected or positive cases, or are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms.

In addition, you will be asked to visit your doctor to receive the flu vaccination and provide a certificate as proof. You are also requested to download the COVIDSafe App and if you do not, you will be required to maintain a diary of every close contact and send this to a member of staff weekly.

Physical Distancing

  • You are to continue to adhere to the physical distancing rules in place – this means you will need to observe at least 1.5m between yourself and others.
  • All common rooms, libraries, gyms and other indoor gathering spaces will observe physical distancing rules at all times – ie, 1 person per 4 square metres.
  • Access to all communal facilities (Dining Hall, Gym, Laundry) will be subject to a maximum number of people allowed under the 4 square metre rule.
  • Visual markers on floors and furniture must be observed where they are present
  • There are to be no more than 3 people at any one time in a bedroom.

Staggered Meal Times

Due to a greater number of residents, we will now require staggered meal times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Dining Hall tables have a maximum capacity of 6 people and fewer tables will be spaced throughout the Dining Hall to comply with physical distancing requirements. A maximum of 10 people will be permitted in the Servery at a time.

Meal times will be published and there will be sufficient spacing between sittings to allow the cleaning of surfaces in between. Alternate meal options will be considered for those unable to attend during designated times.

Good Hygiene & Cleaning Practices

In order to maintain your health and the health of the community, you will need to follow good hygiene practices. Sanitising stations have been placed at all entries and common areas, and posters will be placed throughout the College to demonstrate washing your hands regularly. Please cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of it.

Housekeeping staff will continue to provide service bedrooms and will observe strict guidelines when rooms are occupied. Bed linen will need to be removed on the morning of your weekly clean to allow the housekeeper to remove and replace.

Self-Isolation, Testing and Quarantine Protocols

In accordance with NSW Public Health Guidelines for dealing with suspected or confirmed COVID cases, the College’s COVIDSafe Plan includes protocols to be enacted for any resident/s who are confirmed cases, or close contacts of a confirmed case. That is, anyone displaying symptoms of cold or flu will need to self-isolate at College or return home if it is safe to do so, and get a COVID test.

Any resident who returns a positive test must quarantine at College according to NSW Health regulations or return home if it is safe to do so. A number of ensuite rooms will remain empty to be available for immediate use by any suspect or positive cases. These rooms will be cleaned regularly, and deep cleaned following use by a confirmed case.

Students will need to stay in these rooms until the test results become available. Meals will be delivered to your room during the period of isolation and no contact with others will be allowed.

In the event that the College requires additional empty rooms, nearby hotel accommodation will be made available for residents to self-isolate. By agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge the College’s right to ask any resident to change bedroom or be relocated until it becomes safe to re-enter the community.

Guidelines for Use of Facilities

As mentioned, residents will need to observe capacity limits for indoor facilities and observe physical distancing outdoors. Indoor areas are to be well ventilated to the extent possible and extra alcohol wipes made available for use in common areas such as the Gym. The College’s routine cleaning of facilities has been increased and additional cleaning products are available for use in communal bathrooms and laundries.

The Gym will continue to operate during set hours and further information will be circulated outlining the specific conditions attached to this area.

There is an expectation that students will wipe clean bathrooms, gyms and any other facilities after use, to contribute to the increased and regular cleaning routine of these facilities.

Social Gatherings and Intercol Activities

The College has developed a process which will be implemented to ensure the safety of all participants and other personnel at social gatherings and intercollege activities including sporting competitions and Palladian events.

Sport and Palladian (training and rehearsal)

  • The approach to training/rehearsal in the lead-up to competition will focus on ‘get in, train, get out’, minimising unnecessary contact in change rooms, bathrooms and communal areas. The same will be applied to rehearsals for Palladian events within common areas such as the Chapel and Music Rooms.
  • Please note the AIS Framework for Re-booting Sport recommendations will be in place for general activities in a staged return through to full competition.

Social gatherings at College will require an approved Event Management Plan to be in place. Alcohol will be limited to approved functions or within bedrooms/apartments only. Additional security will be rostered to enforce compliance with the above measures.

The above terms and conditions may be adapted at any time in compliance with any government-mandated tightening of restrictions. Whilst the College is hopeful that these clear expectations will be sufficient to keep our community safe, it may unfortunately be necessary to ask residents to return home in the event of a community outbreak.

Serious or repeated breaches of our terms and conditions will result in exclusion from College.

We are committed to ensuring that the College remains a safe place for you and your fellow residents. All students must email our Registrar, indicating they have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions which now apply.

With warmest regards

Wayne Erickson, Principal

Below: 2020 House Committee