THE Victorian Government has unveiled its plan to get regional schoolchildren back in classrooms in Term 4, flagging a “staggered approach”.
All students in Sunraysia will be back at school at least part-time within the first two weeks of the term, which starts on Monday.
On the first day of term – October 4 – all Prep to Grade 2 and final-year students will return to the classroom full-time. From Wednesday, Year 11 students will also return.
In the second week – which starts on Monday, October 11 – students in other grades will return part-time.
Under the statewide plan, students in Grades 3 and 4 and Years 8 and 9 will attend school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Grades 5 and 6 and Year 10 will go to school on Thursdays and Fridays. Year 7 students will return full-time from October 11.
But children won’t have to wait too long to get back to normal – from Tuesday, October 26, all students will be back in the classroom full-time.
“With lower case numbers and excellent vaccination rates, we’re looking forward to getting regional students back in the classroom as soon as possible in Term 4 – but we need all school communities to stay vigilant and follow the COVIDSafe plans to protect these freedoms,” Education Minister James Merlino said.
There’s one catch on the return to school plan – if a regional area gets locked down, schools in that LGA will snap to the same settings as metro Melbourne. Younger students are also encouraged to wear masks, which are mandatory for anyone aged 12 and over.
The government has also committed to making schools as COVID-safe as possible, with ventilation a key focus.
The first delivery of 51,000 air purifiers to be distributed to schools across the state has arrived and the devices will be installed in schools this term.
All government and low-fee non-government schools in Victoria will also receive grants to buy shade sails as part of a push to create more outdoor learning spaces.
