Senior school students and staff usually facing a tense and stressful time with VCE exams approaching, but the effects of COVID-19 has added to that tension in 2021.
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In August the Andrews government set a target to vaccinate every Victorian year 12 student before exams start and to give a first dose to every child aged 12 or older by year's end.
On Wednesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews outlined the Victoria's intended path out of lockdown.
He said to ensure senior students sitting year 12 exams have certainty and are ready for exams, from Tuesday September 7 until Friday September 17 a priority vaccination program will be in place.
As part of this program, year 12 students will be given priority booking access at state-run clinics, as will their teachers and examiners.
Students and teachers will need to book an appointment, as walk ups are not available as part of this blitz.
Students and teachers will be able to book one of these priority appointments from Monday September 6.
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The Department of Health and the Department of Education will work directly with schools, and students and parents will receive the advice on how to arrange a booking through their schools.
The East Grampians Health Service, in Ararat is a state run COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
Marian College principal Carmel Barker, in a letter to parents, said the school would work to keep parents and guardians updated on the vaccination situation relating to their children.
"Discussions in the media have outlined the Victorian Government's decision to provide opportunities for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19," she said.
"Based on the health advice, final year students along with staff offering VCE exams are urged to make vaccination appointments as soon as possible to support the safe conduct of the VCE exams later in the year.
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"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.
"Marian College will keep parents and guardians up to date should the advice on vaccinations from the Australian or Victorian Governments change."
At this stage, the VCAA has not made any changes to the timing of the VCE exams in 2021.
VCE exams are scheduled to start with Languages examinations oral component on Monday, October 4.
A day after the government made the Pfizer vaccine available to Victorians aged 16 to 39, state Education Minister James Merlino said he wanted senior students fully vaccinated by the time exams begin on October 4.
There are roughly 62,000 year 12 students enrolled in Victorian schools.
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