Covid-19: NSW schoolkids get early mark for class return

NSW schools will reopen a week earlier than scheduled, as the state races towards 70 per cent double vaccinated.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

NSW schools will reopen a week earlier than scheduled, as the state races towards 70 per cent double vaccinated.

Students in kindergarten, year 1 and year 12 will be first to return to the classroom on October 18, followed by years 2, 6 and 11 to return on October 25. The rest will return on November 1.

The state government crisis cabinet signed off on an agreement on Wednesday evening that only fully vaccinated teachers would be allowed back into the classroom.

Under the previous plan, the staggered return of students was slated to begin on October 25, when NSW was expected to reach 70 per cent double-dosed vaccination rates.

The rapid pace of vaccinations in NSW has meant, however, that that threshold is likely to be reached two weeks earlier than expected.

Earlier on Wednesday, Gladys Berejiklian flagged the government was considering bringing the date forward because of high rates of vaccination coverage.

“Parents should assume it is October 25 and if there is better news than that, we will convey it,” the Premier said.

“I want to stress we are carefully considering the options we have to get kids to school earlier if we can.

“We didn’t expect to have hit 70 per cent double dose on Oct­ober 11 so we are considering what that does for the school system.”

After facing criticism that ­hospitality venues would be opening before schools, Ms Berejiklian defended her decision to wait, saying she had wanted to give parents and schools some certainty.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Malcolm Elliot welcomed the decision but cautioned it might be a rush for teachers and school staff to be prepared in time. He also said he supported the decision to mandate vaccinations, saying it would help principals manage Covid-19 protocols in schools.

“We know that children in the early years of primary education suffer while learning from home and we are absolutely conscious of the need for them to be back face to face,” he said.

“We absolutely support mandatory vaccinations, as the health evidence has been clear that they are the way out of this pandemic.”

From November 8, all NSW school and preschool staff will be required to have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

NSW Teachers Federation and Independent Education Union president Angelo Gavrielatos had originally been opposed to bringing forward students’ return, concerned there would still be teachers who had not had a chance to get vaccinated.

Mr Gavrielatos has not been opposed to mandatory vaccin­ations for teachers, and has encouraged them to get the jab.

“We have been saying consistently that any plan involving a return to school operations must come with the development and implementation of a clear vaccine strategy for students, teachers and school staff,” he said.

“We recognise the role that vaccinations play in managing our way out of this pandemic and encourage all members to get vaccinated in line with current health advice.”