NSW schools will begin returning to face-to-face learning on October 25 after shifting to online learning amid the state’s COVID-19 outbreak.
The state’s students will return on a staggered basis with kindergarten and year one students to return to the classroom first, while year 12 students will also be able to increase their time on campus.
From November 1, students in year two, six and 11 will return to the classroom, with all pupils due back by the second week of November.
Vaccinations for all school staff across all sectors will be mandatory from November 8 under the return to school plan announced by the NSW government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says about 70 per cent of teachers are already partially vaccinated.
Students in areas that come out of lockdown settings earlier will be able to return to the classroom immediately.
“If there is any area of NSW which comes out of lockdown before October 25, then those children will automatically go back to school,” Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
However, schools will operate differently, with reduced activities and compulsory mask wearing for teachers and high school students. Primary students will be encouraged to wear masks for the first time.
“Things like staggering break times, not mixing your group cohorts, not having assemblies … those activities where children might gather together,” Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said.
“We won’t have any external visitors to school sites and the mask wearing is a really important element.
“We will have the vaccination rate for teachers as a mandatory vaccination and … COVID-safe settings in classrooms and on school sites.”
Higher School Certificate exams will be pushed back to begin on November 9.
The Universities Admissions Centre supports the changes to the HSC, reiterating its commitment to ensuring students will still receive an ATAR. University offers will still be made.
“I’m just hopeful that this brings joy to many children and parents who are really doing it tough,” the premier said.
Ms Berejiklian was unclear on whether students in hotspot areas would return on the prescribed dates.
“We have to wait closer to that time (to see) what the situation is before we make any definite statement,” she said.
The Pfizer jab was on Friday officially approved for use by Australian health authorities to vaccinate children aged 12 to 15. Those aged 16 and 17 are already permitted to get Pfizer.
AAP
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