Revealed: All the recommendations for return to school, including whether students need a mask

There are new restrictions for students in regional areas as they return for Term 3. Find out all the requirements here

As the new Delta variant of COVID-19 moves through communities, including several schools in Sydney, both the Department of Education and the Catholic Schools office have made changes for the upcoming school term.

While schools in areas affected by stay-at-home orders such as Greater Sydney, they will undertake home learning for the first week.

However, in regional areas such as the North Coast, schools will return at the agreed Term 3 start time.

The bad news for your kids? If they’re 12 or over, they will have to wear mask while on any form of public transport, including the school bus.

The Department of Education recommends masks for all students in Year 7 and above as well as all staff and teachers.

Schools will restrict all non-essential visitors at school sites, which includes parent, and changes may be made to school pick-up time to ensure social distancing, as well as organised events and school interviews.

Schools excursions and sport can also only be organised within school grounds, or for organised events within the local government area.

With parents and families are unable to visit schools and many sporting events, excursions and camps must be rescheduled or cancelled.

The Department of Education has stated that students should not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19.

Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free.

In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.

“Parents and families are the first and most important educators of their children and are integral members of our school communities,” Director of Catholic Schools Dr Sally Towns said.

“We are disappointed the current restrictions don’t allow parents into schools at the moment. We look forward to these restrictions easing in the future so we can welcome our parents and families back.

“I am grateful for everyone’s understanding and support of staff in our schools as they continue to educate and care for all students in these unsettling times.”

For Catholic schools, and other schools who use Catholic Secondary Schools Association trial exams, they have been pushed back by two weeks giving Year 12 students and staff important additional time to prepare for the exams, major works and practical assessments.

Minister Education Sarah Mitchell said the HSC continued as planned, with the HSC oral language, performance and practical exams scheduled to go ahead in Term 3 and written exams in Term 4.

Masks will be recommended for all staff and Year 7 students and over as they return to school for Term 3.

“To our HSC students I say please stay calm, focus on your studies and look after each other,” she said.

“NESA has arrangements in place to ensure no student is disadvantaged if they have been unable to work on HSC major projects during the holiday period, or they are affected by extended stay-at-home orders.”

Ms Mitchell said she understood it was a challenging time for students, staff and parents, but she has complete confidence that schools are prepared to manage the restrictions.

More information is available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families