<div dir="auto">Hi David<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">You've started a very important discussion here. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">A few things I've been thinking about are:</div><div dir="auto">1. What information is the Department of Education, Catholic Education or Independent Schools (as the employer) supplying teachers?</div><div dir="auto">There doesn't seem to be anything too specific about prac classes in terms of what the Department has on its website at</div><div dir="auto"><a href="https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/Pages/coronavirus-advice-schools.aspx#link59" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/Pages/coronavirus-advice-schools.aspx#link59</a><br></div><div dir="auto">However, you could send an email with your specific concerns to <a href="mailto:health.advice@edumail.vic.gov.au" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">health.advice@edumail.vic.gov.au</a></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">2. What PPE do you and your students need in additional to what you normally do? Will this need to be cleaned or disposed of, and will your employer provide this? We are told that masks do not need to be worn (in general) but what about the possibility of coming into contact with an asymptomatic student or a student who sneezes out of the blue? </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">3. In a work situation, to assess the OHS risk of activities, we need to assess the LEVEL of risk. On what basis can we do this? We are told that students are low-risk, but many of our senior students have part-time jobs, such as at McDonalds. How about the level of risk of transmission of Covid-19 to teachers, technicians etc? </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">4. At the VCAA webinar held this week for VCE Product Design and Technology teachers, we were informed that students are to do the mandated production work in Units 3 and 4 because it's an important part of the curriculum and what students enjoy. VCAA explained that they had done extensive consultation with the 3 sectors (Department of Education, Catholic Education and Independent schools). So can the VCAA inform us of what that extensive consultation told them in terms of shared use of tools and equipment needed for safe delivery of the practical component of the curriculum they mandate must be delivered to VCE PDT students, beyond trying to maintain a safe distance, handwashing and personal hygiene (which are difficult to implement in any class of students anyway)? </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">5. David - as the OHS rep at your school, are you being provided with professional learning by your employer in response to the coronavirus environment and is it specific to the different learning areas within the school? It's your employer's responsibility to do that.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Just a few thoughts and more questions.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Clearly, David, you have pointed out the lack of information/advice available to allow you to safely carry out your work and to keep you and your students safe whilst delivering the curriculum. Let's hope the information, processes and procedures are forthcoming for the return of teachers and students to schools. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Let's keep the discussion going. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Stay safe everyone. </div><div dir="auto">Lorraine Tran</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, 15 May 2020, 10:46 pm Foster, David B, <<a href="mailto:foster.david.b@edumail.vic.gov.au" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">foster.david.b@edumail.vic.gov.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<div id="m_6739893053135755739m_-1220779722690445877m_6554332869539958709divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size:12pt;color:#000000;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif" dir="ltr">
<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>I am just curious to find out what sort of processes have been put in place or are going to be put in place for lessons in your Technology rooms. The department has provided money for a cleaner at state schools but it is only for the high use areas (well
that's what I was told) like door handles, toilets and benches.</p>
<p>I am a little concerned that my tools won't be wiped down after a lesson or even at the end of the day. I run woodwork, metals and systems by myself not to mention VCAL classes. Our students are very active as a rule and I want to make sure they are safe
and so am I.</p>
<p>I am also the OH&S rep at our school and I have a vested interest in making sure everybody is safe. I know there is no golden rule for dealing with this situation and solutions might sometimes work and on other occasions might not. As a designing community
I feel we are in the best position to come up with some plans. So I would like to encourage a discussion on this matter.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Regards, David Foster <br>
</p>
</div>
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