Malvern Primary School backflips on masks in schools for Term 2

A Melbourne primary school has reversed its mask mandate after earlier telling parents their kids would need to wear masks in Term 2.

Parents have been left “confused” over mask mandates in schools after an email was sent out to families from a principal saying students would still be required to wear masks in Term 2.

The state government announced last week that masks would be scrapped in classrooms when children return after Easter, provided the latest Covid outbreak eases as expected.

Students in years 3 to 6 will be expected to wear masks indoors. Picture Rebecca Michael

In an email sent to families on Friday afternoon, Malvern Primary School principal Robyn James said: “I know there have been reports in the media about changes to Covid restrictions and plans, however the Department has not communicated any changes to schools.”

“As a result staff and students in Years 3 to 6 will still be expected to wear a mask indoors, students in Years Prep to 2 can wear a mask if they wish,” Ms James said.

She said parents were also asked to continue using RATs on their children twice a week, and to report a positive test result and isolate for seven days if the result is positive.

“We will be sending a box of RATs home with each student in the first week of school,” she said.

But late on Friday evening, Ms James said the Department had now confirmed that staff and students were not required to wear masks next term as previously advised.

“Of course if staff or students wish to wear a mask they may do so,” she said.

“I apologise for any confusion this may have caused.”

Students will be expected to do RATs twice a week.

Malvern Liberal MP Michael O’Brien said he had been contacted by parents from the school who had been left confused over the email.

“One parent was very worried as they had been advised by their child’s principal that masks are still required,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The only reason that this has been the case is because the government has failed to formally notify state school principals that the rules have changed.”

A Department of Education spokesman said: “Settings for Term 2 will be communicated to all schools before the start of Term 2.”