Coronavirus (COVID-19)

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND STAFF: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

27 March 2020

Important notice to students and staff: Coronavirus (COVID 19)

As an education organisation we have been very actively monitoring and following the advice being distributed for vocational and adult education training providers from the State and Commonwealth as they monitor and respond to the unfolding international Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

We will continue to monitor the situation at least daily and take advice, and follow procedures of the relevant Departments of Health and Education to ensure we are responding appropriately.



What you need to know


From Monday 30 March 2020, Macquarie Community College will temporarily cease our face-to-face delivery of classes and our campuses will also be temporarily closed to the public.

Our Staff are set up for working from home including our friendly Customer Service Team.

We remain available to assist you with any questions you may have:

  • Phone: Call 1300 845 888

  • Email: info@macquarie.nsw.edu.au

  • Live Chat: www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au



    • Term 1 VET students


    Our teams are already working to make arrangements about various distance learning options with all currently active Vocational Educational Training (VET) students so that you can still complete your course with minimal disruptions.



    Term 2 Courses – new learning modes


    Over the next weeks our teachers, trainers and tutors are working together with the Program teams to get their classes ready to recommence for the start of Term 2 in May 2020, where we will introduce blended learning options.

    Our focus is that our Term 2 programs are suitable for our students, tailored to the content of the programs and meet our quality standards.

    These blended learning options will likely include a combination of livestream video classes, other online resources and mixed mode learning and assessment resources. We aim to be able to resume face-to-face classes but this will depend on the Government’s recommendations at the time, including appropriate social distancing measures, hand washing and other hygiene protocols.



    Your College is here for you


    We recognise that each student and each course is unique and has different learning requirements. As a Community College, we have some unique characteristics that will help us and you adapt to this changing environment:

  • small class sizes,

  • great teachers,

  • tailored solutions for each student depending on the resources they have on hand, and

  • genuine and continued personal support from our teaching and programs staff via phone, email, video and online chat groups.



    • Short Courses


    We are excited to announce that we are working hard on new learning options for some of our Leisure and Self Improvement short courses.

    If you have always wanted to start a new hobby, now’s the time to do it. Stay tuned for more details!

    For students enrolled in Term 1 Leisure and Self Improvement classes that closed early, Customer Service will be in touch with you about alternative arrangements, credits or refunds.



    What you need to do – Current and Prospective Students


    If you would like to contact us in regards to a current class you are enrolled in, or a future class that you would like to enrol in:

  • Phone: Call 1300 845 888

  • Email: info@macquarie.nsw.edu.au

  • Live Chat: www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au

    • Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates from the College.



    Staying informed and being prepared


    Macquarie Community College will continue to monitor the situation closely and review advice from The Commonwealth and NSW Government agencies to ensure we are responding to the situation appropriately.

    Further information and updates are available via the NSW Health website:

  • NSW Health: Coronavirus factsheet

  • NSW Health: Coronavirus FAQs

  • Latest Coronavirus information from www.health.gov.au



    • Since January 2020 we have been proactively:

  • Enforcing 14 day exclusion of individuals that have returned from countries with travel bans in place. That was extended earlier this month to all individuals that have arrived from overseas.

  • Requiring that all staff and students that have any flu-like symptoms and coughs stay home from class and seek medical advice – and we have been receiving excellent co-operation.

  • Ensuring all students and staff are aware of Covid-19 symptoms with posters and information in all campus classrooms and communication.

  • Ensuring all students and staff are aware of best practice in handwashing with posters and information in all campus classrooms and communication.

  • Putting in place social distancing measures as recommended.

  • Increasing cleaning and sanitation around premises.

  • Implementing escalated risk management protocols.

  • Getting ready for delivering mixed mode learning and working from home.

    • For more detailed information, please visit https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert.