Prep drop-offs allowed under new COVID rules

Parents and carers will be able to walk their prep students into the classroom when the school year starts, while other COVID-normal changes have been announced.

Catherine Wilkinson is excited to be sending her daughterFarrah, 5, off to school. Picture: Jason Edwards.

Preppies will be able to walk into class with mum, dad or a carer under Covid-normal changes for the 2021 school year.

But grown ups won’t be able to linger more than 15 minutes or they will have to follow sign-in protocols should contact tracing be required as up to 85,000 preps start school.

Schools also will have the option of ditching staggered start and finish times when government schools resuming from January 28.

Richmond mum Catherine Wilkinson said daughter, Farrah, was very ready to start at her local primary school on February 1.

It is a big day for the family with Farrah starting at Richmond Primary School and sister Milla at Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarden.

“We could not go to the two orientation days and had to drop her off at the front. It is great that we can take her into class for her first day,” she said.

“Fifteen minutes is good. You don’t need any more time than that because everyone cries. Farrah has been chomping at the bit to start school for six months.”

Five-year-old Farrah is excited to start school. Picture: Jason Edwards.

St Kilda Park Primary School principal Neil Scott said it was welcome news, although the school’s long standing protocol remains having kids and parents saying goodbye in the courtyard.

He looked forward to information sessions early in the new term so families were able to spend time at the school as they missed out on orientations due to the pandemic response.

He said they would not continue with staggered start times but there had been feedback from some families that they liked it.

“Some families liked it because it meant fewer families all coming in at once,” he said.

Education Department deputy secretary David Howes said guideline updates were ongoing for schools.

SECONDARY students don’t have to wear masks but should carry one for public transport or crowded areas.

HIGHER risk woodwind and choir could proceed with good ventilation and adequate distancing.

HANDWASHING and sanitiser practice was being encouraged.

FULL return to contact and non-contact sports, including inter-school.

ARTS programs to resume.

NO limits on visitors to schools but sign in required if the time is over 15 minutes.