FACE-TO-FACE

CLASSES UPDATE

Face-to-Face Classes Update

FACE to FACE Classes update (effective from Term 3, 03/07/2023)

 

In 2020, Abbey College Australia adopted flexibility to the delivery mode for its courses and implemented fully online delivery of its courses in light of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. That was a temporary measure introduced to ensure the safety of our students and staff and, and thankfully, it did much to protect our community.

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) revised the fully online delivery to overseas students in October 2022. ASQA now expects that all education providers will transition to compliance with the ESOS National Code by 30 June 2023, when it is safe and practical to do so. ASQA – ESOS return to Compliance for face to face training

Abbey College Australia will return to face-to-face classes, social activities and student support services in 2023. All students in our study location (Sydney and Adelaide) should attend classes on campus.  Live Online training will not be available from Term 3 2023 (i.e 03/07/2023) . If you are studying remotely outside Sydney or Adelaide, we encourage you to plan for returning to your study location to continue your studies.

Please check Moodle for details of your classes and your email for updates. If you need support during this time, speak to the student support representative or visit www.abbeycollege.edu.au  for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have other questions, please contact our Student Services Team for further help.

How do I get information about the return to face-to-face classes?

Abbey College Australia will send regular emails with information on return to face-to-face classes throughout Term 1 and Term 2 of 2023.

Please check your emails. Sometimes emails can go into these folders because of your email settings and security, so don’t forget to check spam or junk emails.

I am currently in my home country. Can I continue my studies online after June 2023?

Suppose you are currently enrolled and have an Australian student visa. In that case, you must make arrangements to return to Australia as soon as possible. The Australian Government opened its borders to overseas students. You must attend face-to-face classes from term 3, 2023, onwards.

I am a new student starting my course with Abbey College Australia. Do I have to come to campus to attend orientation?

Yes, you must come to campus to attend the orientation. Please contact our student services team if you feel unwell on orientation day.

Can I defer the start date of my course?

The course deferral may impact your student visa. You may need to extend your current student visa to complete your studies. Please speak to our student services team before deciding. Abbey College Australia’s deferral, suspension and cancellation policy applies in all cases.

I have only one subject/unit to complete the course. Can I continue with online classes?

No, you must return to face to face classes. Live online training will not be available from Term 3 (i.e. 03/07/2023). The governing body ASQA has announced “return to compliance” that means all registered provider delivering courses under ESOS legislative Framework must return to compliance by 30 June 2023 and all students in student visa must return to face to face training.

Will orientation and other student event take place on campus in 2023?

Yes, Orientation sessions and student events will be on campus from 2023.

Do I need to be vaccinated to study on campus?

In line with the NSW Government Public Health Orders, we no longer require you to show proof of vaccination or exemption. We continue, however, to encourage you to get fully vaccinated, maintain physical distancing, and to stay at home if unwell.

Is the Campus COVID-19 Safe?

We follow strict COVID-19 cleaning protocols and NSW Health recommendations for infection control and prevention.  We provide hand sanitisers on all floors of our buildings, and we ask that you maintain physical distancing in common areas of the building.

In addition, we have made several improvements to the building air conditioning to improve ventilation and reduce risk of airborne transmission such as:

  • cleaning of the air conditioning units with microbial cleaning agents/chemicals focusing on coil and surface treatments has been completed.

Please continue to check the latest advice from the https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe#toc-masks-covid-19-safe-check-in-and-vaccination-evidence .

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/covid-19

Are there any COVID-19 restrictions to visiting campus/learning face-to-face?

Abbey College Australia is following NSW Government guidelines and if you are a close contact (including household contact) of a person who is COVID-19 positive, you can still attend classes and study on campus, however, you should monitor for symptoms, physically distance, and wear a mask when it is not possible to physically distance.

We continue to encourage you to wear a mask whenever it is not possible to physically distance from other students, teachers and staff. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and get tested.

The use of face masks is recommended in classrooms and laboratories. A face mask may be removed if you are outside of a classroom or in a common area of the campus.

Do I have to wear a face mask outside of the classroom?

Students and teachers, when outside the classroom, do not need to wear a mask on campus.

If you’re a close contact of a person with COVID-19, we encourage masks to be worn whenever it is not possible to physically distance from other students, teachers and staff.

How can I address support services?

Our student services team provides you with the information for all of our support services, including academic, wellbeing, IT support and more.

Please refer to the  Student Handbook  and policies and procedures available on  the  website .

What do I need to do in order to remain COVID-Safe?

Please follow the Government‘s (https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 /https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/ ) advice on COVID-19 testing and self-isolation if you begin to show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19(COVID-19 symptoms and how it spreads | NSW Government). Should you test positive, please follow the advice of NSW Health  (https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/testing-managing/advice-for-confirmed )/ SAHealth (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/) and continue to isolate and practice good hygiene.

There are several things you can do to maintain your health and safety while on campus. These include:

  • wear a mask in the classroom if you have been a close contact of a person with COVID-19
  • maintain physical distancing of 1.5m where possible
  • maintain good hand hygiene
  • vaccination is highly recommended
  • please stay home and get tested if you are feeling unwell or experience any COVID-19 symptoms.

The constant changes to what we can and can’t do can be hard to keep up with. So, before you come to campus, check the Government rules to make sure you’re informed, and you don’t put yourself or others at risk. Remember, the rules may change depending on where you’re living, so double-check before you come in and always follow the advice.