Cairns schools Term 1 start date affected by vaccines and Omicron

Far North educators have revealed how they are preparing for the start of Term 1 as talks grow of a delayed start to school to allow students to receive the vaccine. What do you think?

UPDATE: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned the return to school could be delayed by one to two weeks as the number of cases in the state continues to rise, with 10,953 recorded overnight.

On Friday morning, Ms Palaszczuk said authorities would not send primary school children back to school during the peak of a Covid wave.

However, she said modelling was still under way and nothing concrete had been decided yet.

EARLIER: Far Northern schools and parents will be keeping a close eye on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Covid-19 modelling as educators await clarity on any potential changes to the beginning of Term 1.

Remote learning or a delayed start for students has not been ruled out with Ms Palaszczuk saying the government was “doing some modelling,” as kids’ eligibility for Covid jabs clashes with surging demand for boosters.

About 800,000 Queensland children under 12 remain unvaccinated, including 479,000 kids aged between 5 and 11, who become eligible for vaccinations from Monday.

With eight weeks needed between first and second doses, most Queensland primary school kids will not be fully vaccinated by the return-to-school date.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government was “doing some modelling,” as kids’ eligibility for Covid jabs clashes with surging demand for boosters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josh Woning

Cairns Catholic Education Services acting executive director Ian Davis said as of Thursday, there was no plans to delay the return to classrooms at the start of Term 1.

“However, our school principals and leaders are prepared to move quickly to implement future directives from the state government if required,” Mr Davis said.

“Our schools are well prepared for periods of remote learning and potential closures, and have been for some time. We are focused on ensuring continuity of learning for all students.”

“We are aware that requirements in schools may shift as case numbers increase.

“Our school communities will be kept informed and up to date as we become aware of any changes to procedure. This includes future updates about testing requirements, and vaccination of primary students.”

Good Counsel Primary School principal Liam Kenny said his staff were currently undergoing professional development and at present time were preparing to resume school “as normal”.

“But if we have to go back into remote learning we will be prepared because we had a fair trial run last year and the year before,” he said.

Asked if it would be acceptable for concerned parents to withhold their children from returning to school, and entering mass gatherings during the peak of Omicron, Mr Kenny said he’d be directed by the Cairns Catholic Education Diocese and Queensland Health.

“I think in the short term that is a fair enough concern, but we’d be directed by our head office.

“However, we want to make sure we can cater for all and we want to make we have some contingency if parents are concerned about their unvaccinated children or if there are students that are compromised.”

Aeroglen siblings Oskar Szenczy, 7, and Olivia Szenczy, 5, complete schoolwork at their kitchen table with the help of their mother Ashley Szenczy (pictured with her daughter Valerie Ferguson, 6 months). Ashley would prefer to see her two eldest resume school in their classrooms at Edge Hill State School, rather than try to juggle home schooling and baby duties. Picture: Brendan Radke

Aeroglen mother-of-three Ashley Szenczy said she was hoping there wouldn’t be a return to homeschooling.

“I feel I’m not qualified, and the last time we did it, it was not easy,” she said.

With two primary school-aged children as well as young a baby, Ms Szenczy said homeschooling was difficult for busy parents and put a lot of strain on family relationships.

She said while she would be getting her kids vaccinated eventually, she was comfortable sending them to school without two doses.

“It doesn’t change anything, they can already go everywhere without a mask or vaccine.”

Education Minister Grace Grace confirmed the rapidly evolving Covid situation was being “carefully monitored”, with the government “considering any impacts it may have on our schools when they return for the 2022 school year”.

Originally published as Cairns schools Term 1 start date affected by vaccines and Omicron