How reopened schools plan to keep kids safe

As some students return to the classroom this week, these are the safety measures designed to protect them from Covid.

Victorian schools have introduced many Covid-19 safety measures as students return to the classroom from Monday.

Year 12 students will be the first to return in metropolitan Melbourne since August 5, taking the General Achievement Test on Tuesday and returning to class on Wednesday.

Other pupils will face a longer wait, with prep to year 2 back part-time in mid-October and others returning later in the month.

But as well as in-person learning for several year groups initially being spread across different days of the week, students will face significant other differences.

More than 50,000 air purifiers are being installed in all government and low-fee non-government schools to remove potentially infectious particles.

Schools must also implement other measures, including staggered pick-up and drop-off times, QR code check-ins for any essential visitors, and as much physical distancing as possible in classrooms.

All staff in schools and early childhood services will be required to be fully vaccinated by November 29.

Loyola Watsonia year 12 students Lauren Trenou, Elijah Treglia, Callista Nguyen, Jayde Smith and Aidan Fenech celebrate their return to school. Picture: Tony Gough

Loyola College principal Joe Favrin said he was very pleased to have year 12s return to the Watsonia school.

“The last few months have been very challenging, but the vast ­majority (of students) have risen to the ­occasion and done their best to remain focused on their studies,” he said.

“Being back at school with their teachers and friends will provide significant wellbeing support for them in the remaining few weeks before exams commence.”

Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish said it was fantastic some students would return to face-to-face learning this week.

“It’s not just about the ­academic side of things, it’s about their social connectedness with their peers and their teachers,” he said.

Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said the Department of Education was working with school leaders on ventilation improvements, supporting staff and students aged over 12 to get vaccinated and getting schools ready for general Covid-safe practices.

Air purifiers will be sent out to Victorian schools. Picture: Tony Gough

Education Minister James Merlino said he couldn’t wait to see students back in the classroom learning and seeing friends in the next four weeks.

“As we begin the return to the classroom this term, we need all students and school staff to stay vigilant and follow the Covid-safe plans to protect their school communities and keep them open,” he said.

Mr Merlino will on Monday also announce the introduction of the $51.2m Mental Health Practitioners initiative, which is to be finalised by term 4 – a year ahead of schedule.

It will allow more than 50 secondary and specialist schools in Goulburn, Brimbank, Melton and Wimmera South West ­to employ a mental health practitioner from the start of term 4.

The support will enable schools to employ someone for up to five days a week – with more than 250 suitably qualified and registered mental health practitioners already working across the state’s secondary schools.

This includes psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.

“We know some kids will need more support – and this program will make it easy for get the mental health care they deserve,” Mr Merlino said.

It comes after Matthew Guy called for mental health experts in all schools in his first major policy announcement as re-elected Opposition Leader.

Opposition Education spokesman David Hodgett said: “Studies have shown Covid is mild in young children, yet young children will be expected to participate in part-time learning”.

Students at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College undergoing temperature checks last year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

MENTAL HEALTH BOOST FOR KIDS

Every student in government secondary and specialist schools in Victoria will now have access to dedicated mental health practitioners.

Education Minister James Merlino announced on Monday the roll out of the $51.2m Mental Health Practitioners initiative, which is set to be finalised by term 4 – a year earlier than scheduled in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The last phase of the rollout will including funding for more than 50 secondary and specialist schools in Goulburn, Brimbank, Melton and Wimmera South West to recruit a mental health practitioner from the start of term 4.

The support will enable schools to employ a practitioner for up to five days a week – with more than 250 suitably qualified and registered mental health practitioners already working across the state’s secondary schools.

The mental health practitioners can include psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses delivering the unique needs of each student cohort.

Supporting about 188,000 students, these practitioners offer counselling and early intervention services, support students with complex needs, connect students to broader allied and community health services and deliver whole-school mental health promotion and prevention activities, including during periods of remote learning.

Victorian children have endured a challenging 20 months. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Claire Gannell, who is a mental health practitioner at Tarneit P-9 College and has been supporting students in years 7-9, said she welcomed more schools recruiting mental health specialists.

“The support for students is so instrumental at this time. The mental health of our students has been on the decline as they are struggling with isolation,” Ms Gannell said.

“We need to continue to work on keeping early intervention and prevention at the forefront. Our young students are so resilient and we are proud of them”.

Mr Merlino said: “Students, teachers, families and school communities have been incredibly resilient throughout this pandemic ─ but we know it’s been incredibly difficult for many of our kids, and we’re making sure they’re supported while studying.”

“We’ve delivered the Mental Health Practitioners initiative a year ahead of schedule ─ giving students in secondary and specialist schools the direct support they need during and well beyond this pandemic.

“We’ve laid out our plan to get students back into the classroom this term, but we know some kids will need more support – and this program will make it easy for them to reach out and get the mental health care they deserve.”

Originally published as How reopened schools plan to keep kids safe