As schools prepare for the start of Term 1, 2022, parents and careers of students aged 12 years and above are reminded to book their children’s Pfizer or Moderna vaccination as soon as possible. Bookings are available through the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

NSW Health advice indicates that vaccinations offer excellent protection against COVID-19 in children. Even though COVID-19 in children is often milder than in adults, there’s strong evidence to support vaccinating children.

Vaccines give the immune system a helping hand to protect against serious illness and possible long-term effects from COVID-19. Vaccinations also help to protect friends, family and our school community by reducing the spread of the virus.

Visit the NSW Government website for more information or talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccination for your child to help you make an informed decision.

All staff are also advised that booster vaccinations will be included in an updated Public Health Order as announced by the NSW Government on Friday 7 January 2022. Further information be provided by the department as it becomes available.

If you require a free telephone interpreter, call 131 450, say the language you need in English and ask the interpreter to connect you to the COVID-19 vaccine helpline.

Students and staff who were previously advised they were education close contacts have now been classified as casual contacts and can now leave self-isolation if they have not done so already, provided that they have had a nose and throat (PCR) test and received a negative result. You should still exercise caution for 14 days after exposure.

Given the risk of transmission, it is recommended that, as a contact of a person with COVID-19, you should consider your personal and family circumstances and those you may come into contact with in managing the risks associated with potential transmission. You should avoid high risk settings (health care, aged care, correctional facilities) where possible, and take extra precautions around vulnerable people including family members, for 14 days after your last exposure.

You should also consider undertaking a rapid antigen test before family functions or visiting vulnerable family or friends to minimise the risk of transmission. Rapid antigen test kits are now widely available in chemists, supermarkets and other retailers / online.

NSW Health reminds anyone who has been unwell or if you develop any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics.

The Department of Education is working closely with NSW Health and we will be in contact with you should any of this advice change.

Further information on COVID-19 is available on the NSW Government website.

If you need practical support or have non-urgent health-related questions, call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.

Get job-ready this summer with fee-free courses across in-demand industries.

The NSW Government’s Summer Skills program of fee-free short courses is now available to all school leavers aged 16-24.

School leavers can choose from a wide range of vocational courses in booming industries such as hospitality, agriculture, retail, construction, information technology, business and many more.

Explore courses.

Participants can gain training and valuable workplace skills whilst building their CV’s as they explore their interests in growing career sectors.

With courses located across NSW, this summer is an excellent time for NSW school leavers to build their skills and get ahead in 2022.

Registrations for the Summer Skills program with providers will close on 28 February 2022.

Explore our course and find out more about the program on our website.