Melbourne schools: Templestowe Heights Primary School, Marcellin College, Whitefriars College announce return dates
Two Melbourne Catholic boys schools in Melbourne’s east have confirmed their students will return on the same dates as government schools following this morning’s announcement from the Department of Education.
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A Manningham primary school is planning staggered drop-off and pick-up times for students in different year levels when face-to-face learning returns later this month.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced this morning Preps, grades 1 and 2 and years 11 and 12 students would end remote learning and go back to school on May 26.
Special schools will also return on the same date, while students from years 3 to 10 will head back into classrooms on June 9.
Two Catholic schools in Manningham — Donvale’s Whitefriars College and Bulleen’s Marcellin College — have also confirmed students and staff will return on a similar schedule.
Templestowe Heights Primary School principal Rhys Coulson said he felt it was “the right time” for his 440 students and staff to return to its High St campus.
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Mr Coulson said his school was awaiting further advice from the Department of Education but was likely to introduce measures such as staggered arrival times, recesses and lunch breaks.
“We have to be mindful that we need to do it in a way that is easiest for everyone,” he said.
“Certainly the students and staff have been missing that connection and we look forward to getting back to that.
“I think it’s a measured approach, it’s due, and it’s the right time for students and staff to come back.”
Whitefriars College principal Mark Murphy confirmed his students and staff would also return on the same dates as government schools.
“We’ve always followed the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and have great faith in him, and if this is what he believes is the right time, then I am supportive of that,” he said.
Mr Murphy said the school would increase its cleaning schedule, place hand sanitiser around the school and ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.
He said the school would work through the arrangements in the coming weeks.
“It takes nearly as much effort to move from remote learning to go back into in-school learning, because our number one priority is the health and safety of our students and staff.”
Marcellin College principal John Hickey also confirmed a “safe and staggered” return to its Bulleen Rd campus for students and staff from May 25.
“I am looking forward to having the young men of Marcellin back onsite this term,” he said.
“The coming weeks will see us make the relevant arrangements to support the college to be in the best position to welcome our Year 11 and 12 students back as of May 25.”