COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Student Update 15
Whilst these changes are likely to impact your home life and allow more interactions, reopening of some sport and recreation, the ability to travel in regional Victoria and the reopening of schools next term, there are very few changes to the delivery of adult education via TAFEs.
The Victorian Government’s roadmap for reopening indicates that adult education will only return to onsite learning at the ‘Last Step’ of the roadmap. Click here for Victoria’s roadmap for reopening.
Third Step restrictions and how they impact SWTAFE training
While I understand that students are keen to get back to learning together onsite, this is not possible under the current ‘Third Step’ restrictions.
For the majority of training provision by SWTAFE, there is little change to the previous advice relating COVID-19. This means:
- SWTAFE will continue to deliver via remote learning wherever possible
- onsite attendance will be permitted for hands-on, skills-based learning and assessments and other activity that can’t be conducted via remote learning
- similar to schools, VET DSS and VCAL students will return to classes onsite (from 12th October)
- where face-to-face training is necessary, all training will be provided in line with DHHS protocols and the most recent health advice
- physical distancing practices must be maintained by students, including keeping a distance of 1.5m between individuals, as well as the wearing of face masks
Please remain COVID safe at SWTAFE
1. Wear a mask, keep your distance and clean those hands
Please continue to maintain social distancing at all times, and always wear a mask when you are on campus. Of course, hand hygiene is also critical to lowering your risk so please use hand sanitiser or thoroughly wash your hands regularly.
2. Limit your movement
For anyone on campus, we request that you limit your movement as much as possible between spaces and buildings. This would greatly assist should a staff member or student be identified as COVID-19 positive. The less movement /contacts each of us has, the easier it will be to manage contact tracing.
3. Limit gatherings
It is important that staff or students do not congregate in public spaces like the café. We encourage everyone to purchase food and then return to your office, or students return to an area close to their classroom or an outside space. And please remember to maintain social distancing.
Our Student Support team are here for you
We encourage students to get in touch with any of our Wellbeing team members for any kind of assistance. This dedicated Student Support Team can help you with a broad range of assistance, so do reach out to any of the team below:
- Bryan Amarant - Manager, Student Services
Phone: (03) 5564 8861 | Mobile: 0403 390 480 | Email: bryan.amarant@swtafe.edu.au
- Glenn McKenzie - Student Wellbeing Officer
Phone: (03) 5564 8840 | Mobile: 0478 332 289 | Email: glenn.mckenzie@swtafe.edu.au
- Jasmine Wyllie - Student Wellbeing Officer
Mobile: 0481 916 092 | jasmine.wyllie@swtafe.edu.au
- Lucy Whelan - Student Wellbeing Officer
Phone: (03) 5564 8830 | Mobile: 0435 301 402 | Email: lucy.whelan@swtafe.edu.au
- Jonathon Campbell – Koorie Liaison Officer
Mobile: 0434 854 036 | Email: jonathon.campbell@swtafe.edu
The Disability Services team are also here to support clients through their studies and develop individualised support plans targeted to your delivery modes. We can support you to explore online tutoring sessions, negotiation of reasonable adjustments, accessibility and more. Please call 5564 8720 or email Disability.support@swtafe.edu
Let’s work towards the next step
I encourage you all to enjoy the ease of restrictions, but please do follow the restriction guidelines so Victoria can work towards the ‘Last Step’ in the roadmap and reaching more normality in our lives.
Every member of the SWTAFE team is committed to supporting your education through this challenging time and I continue to be impressed at how well our students and staff have adapted to the new normal we find ourselves in.
Stay well.
Mark Fidge
CEO
South West TAFE