Clarendon College not enforcing mask-wearing outside for 2022 school year

A letter sent to Ballarat Clarendon parents said masks would have to be worn “at all times both indoors and outside”, but that advice has now changed.

Clarendon College will not enforce mask-wearing for everyone on campus, whether inside or out, when the 2022 school year begins despite initially saying it would.

Haileybury College in Melbourne has directed all students, staff, and visitors up to Year 12 to wear masks indoors and outside when unable to maintain social distancing.

Clarendon will not follow suit.

Although a letter sent to parents on January 19 said Covid protocols would require attendees to wear masks “at all times both indoors and outside”, as of Monday the Ballarat school intended to mandate masks only for students in Year 3 and above when indoors.

It will recommend masks for students in Prep to Year 2, and for anyone in classrooms or outdoors, as per government guidelines.

Staff will be required to wear masks indoors at all times when not teaching.

The school has received no official information about the delivery of rapid antigen tests, and is yet to work out details of their distribution to 1800 students.

School ‘bubbles’, a feature within Clarendon last year, will restrict students to particular areas of the school, in some places at particular times.

Students must also eat outdoors.

Last Wednesday’s notice also pointed to the school’s continued promotion of hand-washing and ventilation of classrooms and corridors.

It warned that larger events early in the year may need to be deferred or cancelled to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Principal David Shepherd said the Department of Education and Training’s guidelines showed the “caution and care” taken to a provide a safe return to school for all.

“The state government’s commitment to ensure that all students can attend school, work with their teachers, coaches, and support staff, and connect with their friends and peers requires careful navigation,” he said.

“The safety and health of all students, staff and families remains our highest priority.”