More than 50,000 students return to public schools across Canberra this week – with important COVID-19 safety measures in place.

The return to school follows a clear set of health guidelines – including masks for students in years 7-12, outdoor learning, ventilation in classrooms, and increased cleaning across the schools.

All staff and students will receive two rapid antigen tests each week.

Each school will have its own COVID safety plan, tailored to the individual school, staffing arrangements, and student cohort.

Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, said the ACT Government had worked hard to enable face-to-face learning to start the year, with risk mitigation strategies to minimise the transmission of COVID-19. 

“Schools are an essential service in our community, and students belong in the classroom. While we remain vigilant and responsive to the evolving situation around COVID-19 in school communities, I am pleased to see a return to face-to-face learning – giving our kids the best start to the year,” Ms Berry said.

The ACT’s 90th public school opened its doors today – in the high-growth area of Throsby.

The brand-new campus at Throsby School will cater for 450 students from kindergarten to Year 6; 197 students have already enrolled for this year.

It is the third zero emission public school built in the ACT. The sustainable buildings include state-of-the-art learning spaces, break-out rooms, interactive equipment, and outdoor play areas.

The new Throsby School features a multi-purpose gym for basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton which the community can use when public health restrictions ease.

Ms Berry said she would upgrade facilities and increase capacity in several other ACT schools this year.

“I wish all the students, teachers, staff, and families a great first day of term – and a fantastic 2022 school year.”

For more information about the management of COVID-19 in a school environment, visit https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/covid-school-arrangements

Further information about the ACT Government’s COVID-19 response can be found at https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/