COVID-19 – 17 August UPDATE 2

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In view of the conversation around COVID-19 vaccinations and secondary schools across the country, I would like to acknowledge and address some of the concerns you may have.

MacKillop College is absolutely committed to the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

At the present time, the Victorian Government’s advice is that:

• COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe and voluntary. The more people who choose to get vaccinated, the greater the protection for those vaccinated and the whole community.
• The best person to talk to if you have concerns about your health and being vaccinated against COVID-19 is your doctor/general practitioner (GP).

We also receive regular guidance from our governing authority Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) to ensure that our school practices are aligned with health advice from the Australian and Victorian governments to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Consistent with this advice, and to the point of concerns raised on this matter, COVID-19 vaccinations are not currently mandated in Victorian Catholic schools. I would echo the advice’s recommendation about speaking to a doctor or general practitioner regarding any concerns. Comprehensive information on the COVID-19 vaccines is also available from the Australian Government.

I will keep the school community up to date should the advice on vaccinations from the Australian or Victorian government change.

I thank you for your support over the last 18 months as we have worked through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and I welcome the day we can interact and come together as a community.

Kind regards,
Rory Kennedy
Principal