Big change urged for schools in bid to curb Covid spread

The Andrews government is urging Victorian schools to consider making big changes to drop-offs and pick-ups in a bid to cut the spread of Omicron.

Victorian schools have been urged to stagger drop-off and pick-up times and set up several exits in a bid to limit the spread of Omicron when classes resume.

It comes amid confusion among staff about how they will enforce some back-to-school measures next week, including how to handle positive cases in teachers and students.

Private schools were on Monday issuing their own mask mandates that went above state government regulations but were forced to backtrack on Monday after fierce criticism from parents.

The Herald Sun can reveal the state government has recommended schools consider steps to stop parents and children crowding around drop-off and pick-up areas and exposing more people to Covid.

This includes staggered drop-off and pick-up times and setting up several entry and exit points that reduce the risk of congregating for long periods. Extra signs directing these changes was another recommendation to reduce the risk.

Alex, 5, and Xavier, 9, are preparing for the reopening of schools. Picture: Josie Hayden

Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday said there would be cases once school resumed.

”You’ve got hundreds and hundreds of thousands of kids that represent hundreds and hundreds of thousands of households that are currently not linked,” he said. “They’re about to be.

“What NSW and Victoria have done is exactly the right way to go.”

Victoria has mandated masks for all students in year 3 and above indoors.

Schools are now working to understand how they will follow the new guidelines, as confusion continues regarding handling of rapid tests and positive cases.

The recommendation that parents test their children twice a week is voluntary and proof will not be required that these have been completed.

Principals will also be expected to notify the school community of Covid cases through a daily email.

This will include details of when the students attended but will also have to detail groups and “cohorts” that may be affected.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott said the back-to-school plan was supported but there were still details to iron out.

He said working out how primary students reliably used masks would be a key concern, and clarity and enunciation were vital to teaching children in that age group.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott says there are still details to iron out in the back-to-school plan.

“I’m sure everyone will put their shoulder to the wheel but there are a lot of technical questions that will need to be answered over the time (of the new rules),” Mr Elliott said. “We really are in the hands of all community members … We’re asking families from a range of backgrounds to do something that can be quite hard to understand.”

“The rules and expectations need to be made clear system-wide.

“That clarity does need to come from the top down.”

Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish said it was not yet clear how many people would register for the planned back-up teaching workforce to cover shortages.

“While there are a whole lot of mitigation strategies in place … its going to be driven by the amount of infections that occur within our schools,” he said.

“Staffing will be one of the major challenges.

“Schools have shown their capacity to adapt.”

Ballarat’s Clarendon College sent a letter to all parents last week saying it was enforcing mask wearing for everyone on campus – inside and outside – when the school year begins.

But on Monday the school told the Herald Sun it had backed down.

Haileybury College in Melbourne has also directed all students, staff and visitors up to year 12 to wear masks indoors and outside when not able to maintain social distancing.

Originally published as Big change urged for schools in bid to curb Covid spread