IMPORTANT INFORMATION
NAISDA is closely monitoring the developments in relation to the COVID19 virus, and remains in constant communications with our Developing Artists, staff, families, communities, funding partners and contractors.
We are following the advice of State and Federal Health Departments and are in close consultation with other education and training organisations regarding onsite boarding and online training delivery options.
The wellbeing of our Developing Artists, team, stakeholders and the community is our primary concern and we have applied a risk management/mitigation approach to all our environments.
In consultation with the NAISDA Board, we have therefore implemented the following 30-day response plan. As this is an evolving situation, we will reassess regularly and communicate updates or changes accordingly.
1. To ensure the safety of our Developing Artists and staff, we have taken the decision to cease onsite training at the end of this week (Friday 20 March) and bring forward the holiday break. We are currently working and communicating with our cohort and their families to organise all necessary arrangements.
At this stage, NAISDA’s revised term dates are as follows:
- Suspension of onsite training: 20 March 2020
- Holiday period: 23 March 2020 – 3 April 2020
- Delivery of remote online training: 6 – 17 April 2020
- Onsite classes recommence: 20 April 2020
The NAISDA training team is currently developing revised lesson plans to enable continued learning engagement online with work to be completed by Developing Artists while they are away from the College.
2. In line with other health authority recommendations, we have also taken a preventative approach to secondments, excursions, events, external engagements, hires and have cancelled all onsite and offsite public performance and activity. This includes the NAISDA Graduation Ceremony which was scheduled for Thursday 9 April.
We recognise the importance of this celebration and are making alternative arrangements to mark the occasion. We are contacting all graduates, families and invited guests by email to inform them directly of this unfortunate cancellation.
3. We will continue to email and post messages regularly on our social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram) and the NAISDA website to keep everyone regularly updated.
4. We have signage in place across our campus in relation to persons travelling from any country or region on the Australian Government’s Department of Health website, to advise of the symptoms of COVID-19 and to ensure staff and guests follow NAISDA’s policy and procedures which have been developed in line with current government guidelines regarding appropriate hygiene practices, social distancing etc.
5. Our cleaners are doing extra cleaning of risk surfaces across all NAISDA facilities.
6. We have provided staff with clear guidelines including policy, procedures, written updates and regular communicates to help manage the risk of spreading the infection and for their own health and safety.
Should you have a particular concern or query relating to any of this information, please contact NAISDA on (02) 4340 3100 or by email reception@naisda.com.au.
We will be doing everything possible to minimise impacts. We will continue to communicate with you and thank you for your understanding and support as we work through this together.
The NAISDA Executive:
Kim Walker, NAISDA CEO
Debra Schleger, NAISDA COO