School leaders plan safe face-to-face education in post-coronavirus world
Some schools have massive concerns about space for social distancing, while others are turning to temperature checks and perspex screens for safety. Some parents refuse to send their kids back at all. Here’s how principals plan to run their schools safely.
Leader
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School leaders have a massive undertaking ahead as students start walking back through school gates from May 26.
Preps, grade 1 and 2 and year 11 and 12 students will end remote learning to be the first students back.
Then from June 9, years 3 to 10 will return to the classroom.
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As school leaders scramble to get safety measures in place, it’s a challenge for crowded inner-city schools.
Premier Daniel Andrews said schools must implement social distancing measures for all adults, but students would not be required to social distance.
But St Kilda Park Primary principal Neil Scott told the Leader social distancing would be “our biggest challenge”.
“In reality, a 1.5m gap between children and staff members will not be possible to introduce and maintain,” Mr Scott said.
Fairhills High School principal Harvey Wood said it was clear social distancing at his Knox school wouldn’t be possible between students in most classrooms due to lack of space.
At Box Hill Secondary, administrators are scrambling to install perspex screens to aid social distancing measures.
But in Nillumbik and Whittlesea on Melbourne’s fringe, some parents are refusing to send their kids back to school at all.
“I’m finding it difficult to work a full-time job from home at the same time as home schooling three kids, but I’d rather that a situation like New York and London where there are tens of thousands dead,” mum of three Nadine McClintock said.
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Hampton Primary principal Sue Knight says the school will temperature test students and staff when they return.
“We will certainly be very watchful of the health of everyone and give careful consideration to social distancing requirements,” Sue Knight told the Leader.
Out east, Templestowe Heights Primary principal Rhys Coulson said their key safety measure would be staggered times.
“I think it’s a measured approach, it’s due, and it’s the right time for students and staff to come back,” Mr Coulson said.
In Sunbury and Macedon Ranges, principals said they were holding staff workshops to nut out working plans.
SUNBURY, MACEDON RANGES SCHOOLS IN PLANNING SESSIONS
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Shelford Girls’ Grammar, an independent school in the Melbourne’s inner south, hasn’t settled on a return date yet.
Principal Katrina Brennan said students and staff would head back “in a safe and orderly manner” over the coming months. She has not ruled out some classes continuing as remotely.
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All special schools will also reopen on May 26.
Catholic and independent schools are expected to announce a similar timeline but are not forced to follow the state’s guidelines.
There will be no assemblies, sports, camps or excursions for Term 2.
Daily cleaning will also be stepped up at all schools.
MORE TO COME