Back to school date moved as Mackay North State School encourages Covid measures

Mackay students will gain an extra two weeks off holidays as the state‘s back-to-school date gets pushed back in the latest bid to slow the spread. Read what other measures some Mackay schools want to take.

Mackay students who were expecting to return to school on January 24 gain an extra two weeks on holidays as the state mandates new protocols to slow the spread of Covid cases.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new start date for school students would now be February 7, designed to avoid the predicted peak of Omicron cases.

Extra time to vaccinate children, particularly the half a million aged between five and 11 years old who are expected to be eligible from Monday, was also given as an reason to delay the return to school.

Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, during a press conference, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“As the chief health officer has said, there is no way to completely stop this virus from spreading,” the Premier said.

“But we can take steps to protect the community – including our children – as much as possible.

“This is a common sense move to avoid students heading back to primary or secondary school just as the rapidly rising number of Omicron cases in Queensland hits its peak.”

Mackay North State School students

Education Minister Grace Grace assured the state vulnerable students and children of essential workers would still be able to attend school in the initial two weeks, with home-learning implemented for year 11 and 12 students from January 31.

“Principals will implement staffing arrangements to ensure only the minimum number of staff are on site, but we will ensure vulnerable children and children of essential workers can still attend,” she said.

Mackay North State High School.

The announcement follows shortly after Mackay North State School began encouraging parents to include masks and drink bottles in their children’s back to school shopping.

The school cited a particular concern about students using bubblers to get their water fill as covid cases in the region continue to climb.

“For the health and safety of our students we encourage everyone to have a water bottle to drink from, instead of directly from the drink bubblers that children often put their mouths onto,” the school said.

“With close proximity in the classroom, we would encourage mask usage, if students feel comfortable.

“We understand this is not mandated.”

Originally published as Back to school date moved as Mackay North State School encourages Covid measures