Seven schools forced to close as all year levels return to the classroom

The return to school has been interrupted for some of the regions students with seven schools forced to close this week, along with nine reported exposure sites.

SEVEN local schools have been forced to close during the second week of term as a result of a growing Covid-19 outbreak, with only three reopening as of Friday.

The closing of more than a half a dozen schools comes as all staff and students returned to the classroom this week under the state government’s staggered approach, which sees some year levels attending classes on alternating days.

Barwon South West public health unit director Professor Eugene Athan said there were nine schools with exposures in the Geelong region.

“Schools will be the best source of information for parents and families, and the Department of Education and Department of Health will be working with schools to support the process,” he said.

Among the concerning number of school closures included Herne Hill Primary School and Covenant College’s junior school which was shut on Friday.

Covenant College in Bell Post Hill was forced to close its gates on Friday. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Other schools that underwent closures this week include Belmont High, North Geelong Secondary School, Lara Primary School, Clonard College and Rollins Primary School.

Under the current road map only students from prep-2, and those completing year 7, 11 and 12 are attending school full-time.

It’s understood no local schools were forced to close during the first week of term.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said Victorian schools were responding through “ventilation, vaccination and vital Covid safe steps.”

“It will be a requirement for all workers in Victorian schools to have had at least one vaccination dose (or a booking for one) from Monday,” she said.

“Schools are putting in place strong measures to ensure as much is done as possible to maximise good ventilation, including the current distribution of air purifiers in high-risk areas.

“Face masks will also be required for all students from Grade 3 and up – one of many Covid safe steps including social distancing that all schools will be implementing.”

Originally published as Seven schools forced to close as all year levels return to the classroom