Clonard College bans Year 12’s just days before completing high school

A Geelong school has announced Year 12s will not be permitted on-site for their final days of school, or in the lead up to exams.

Students completing Year 12 at Clonard College fear they will be at a disadvantage after being barred from attending school for the remainder of the year.

The school community was taken by surprise when they learned late last week that year 12 students would not be completing their final week of classes, nor would they be able to access teachers in a face-to-face setting in the lead up to exams.

Year 12 students at Clonard College will finish their final weeks of school from home. Photos: Supplied

A VCE student at the College said remote learning was “not the same” especially in comparison to other schools.

“Last year we thought ‘lucky we aren’t doing Year 12 in 2020’, but it has been difficult for us this year,” she said.

“You would hope for exams and considering we are double vaccinated we would finally be able to go on site with school.”

The decision comes as the school was forced to close last week after a positive case was identified at the school.

Principal Luci Quinn said the measures were undertaken to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission among students during such an important time.

“Last week the College had a confirmed positive case of Covid-19 which impacted our senior students. A further connected case was identified later in the week,” she said.

“It was deemed prudent and in the best interests of the Year 12 VCE cohort, to minimise any further impact on their upcoming exams, to conclude their attendance.”

The parent of a VCE student said the decision was not taking into consideration the impact it will have on students’ academic success and mental health.

“My daughter is really concerned she will be at a disadvantage,” she said.

“The pandemic has had a massive impact over the two tear period, there has been so many setbacks along the way and then when it is finally coming to an end, the principal makes this decision based on opinion, it’s really hard to just accept that,” she said.

“It is the only high school in Geelong that I know of who has decided to take this directive.”

Originally published as Clonard College bans Year 12’s just days before completing high school