Responding to COVID-19
In response to the State Government’s declaration of a State of Emergency on 15 March 2020, the Department established a COVID-19 response team on 17 March to support schools to implement measures in accordance with health advice.
In the rapidly changing environment the team provided schools with leadership, advice, updates and resources. This supported school-based leadership to adapt physical distancing and health and hygiene routines in the context of their individual settings.
The Connected Learning Hub was launched to provide public school teachers with access to teaching and learning materials, including a range of resources to support student wellbeing and re-engagement.
This was in addition to the Learning at home website, which provided resources, activities and information to support schools, and parents with children and young people learning at home. The website also provided resources to support mental health and wellbeing.
Medically vulnerable students were supported to learn at home by their school, the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health, and the School of Isolated and Distance Education.
The State Government committed $43 million to support schools to meet enhanced cleaning requirements to ensure the safety of staff and students.
On the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), residential and boarding facilities were identified as higher risk environments requiring additional resources and support.
Boarders were assisted to return home safely when residential colleges were closed on 27 March. Based on advice from the Chief Health Officer, students started to return to residential colleges from 5 May.
Cleaning and hygiene guidelines were developed in accordance with advice from the AHPPC and Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer to ensure the safety of staff and students.
The Department remains committed to providing a safe environment for all staff and students, and continues to act on health advice to take necessary precautions.
Explore the story behind the artwork in our strategic directions for public education in Western Australia.