With schools, parents and children preparing for a phased return to full-time face-to-face learning, the prime minister has said he wants all public schools to return to normal next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Public school classrooms will return to a staggered face-to-face learning approach from May 11, as they attempt to get students back in classes while putting in place strict social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schools have prioritised the return of HSC students, who have already experienced an unprecedented bushfire emergency and a global coronavirus pandemic ahead of final exams later this year.
"We anticipate next week that whilst most years will have a day or two of tuition, the vast majority of high schools have catered for extra classes for Year 12, which is a very positive sign," premier Gladys Berejiklian said this week.
Bega High School has released its timetable for next week, with HSC students back to face-to-face learning on Monday and Friday, while other years will go back for just one day next week.
Year 12 students at Bega's Sapphire Coast Anglican College returned to full-time face-to-face learning this week, with Year 11 students returning on Thursday.
Principal Tracey Gray said school attendance is currently 35 per cent, and a plan is in place for a full return to normal school hours on June 1.
The school surveyed families prior to the lockdown in order to measure the needs of students, including whether or not they have a home internet connection.
"We mapped all of that so we could provide something practical for students," Ms Gray said.
"After everything we've been through with the bushfires we wanted to make it as easy for families as we could."
Bega High School's acting principal Scott Defina has advised students to bring their own computers, and hand sanitiser. Classrooms will be limited to 15 students who may not have their usual teachers.
"As you can imagine, we are heading into uncharted waters and your questions and feedback continue to help us fine tune our plans," the school told parents this week.
"We understand that not all students will be able to bring devices to school. We will ensure that all students can go on with their work by providing them with access to computers and/or hard copies of work."
The school is also only accepting EFTPOS payments for food from the school canteen, with the availability of phone orders. The school has also banned all ball games as an added hygiene measure, it said.
"If there are no new cases in our area I would love to see them all back full time," parent Mary Scollen said on social media.
On Wednesday, Mr Defina thanked parents for their "support, feedback and honesty".
"We look forward to having your kids back here at school with us, but at the moment we are still governed by a staged return," he said.
On Tuesday, Bega Valley Public School told parents composite classrooms will be separated by surnames, with students with parent's working in essential services making up a daily 'overflow class'.
The school said the government's guidelines restrict classes to a maximum of 10, and a total attendance of no more than 25 per cent of the school. Students will not necessarily have their regular teacher.
Along with monitored "regular hand washing routines", the school said it will clean high traffic areas during the day, including toilet blocks, handrails and drinking stations, and students are advised to use their own water bottles.
The state government has said it will commit up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our casual and temporary teachers and other non-teaching staff across NSW schools are critical to our education system, and will help ensure the educational outcomes for our students during this staged return," Ms Mitchell said.
