School returns but classrooms will be almost empty

School is due back across most of Tasmania but classrooms are expected to remain strangely quiet as Term 2 begins.

SCHOOLS in Tasmania’s north and south return this week but classrooms are expected to be largely empty.

State schools will resume on Tuesday, except those in the North-West, which will not begin term two until May 4 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Catholic schools resume on Monday and teacher Sarah Banks will be one of many performing a “juggling act”.

Guilford Young teacher Sarah Banks with her daughters Brydie Peckham 6 who goes to Lindisfarne North Primary and youngest daughter Addison Peckham, 2 (right). Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

She will be teaching her Year 11 and 12 Guildford Young College students from home while encouraging her six-year-old daughter to stay engaged in her Grade 1 work from Lindisfarne North Primary School.

There is also a two-year-old in the household needing supervision and attention.

Schools will still be open to accommodate the children of essential workers or those who cannot work from home but few students are expected to attend.

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Attendance fell to 7 per cent across government schools before Easter after government advice to keep children home if possible. Some private schools were down to about 5 per cent and others closed completely.

“Attendance rates dropped substantially at the end of Term 1 and I expect them to be about the same when the new term begins,” Health Minister Sarah Courtney said.

Ms Courtney said parents who could not support their children learning at home should speak to their school directly.

Ms Banks said Term 1 had been a “trial run” for how the new system might work and both teachers and students were feeling some trepidation.

“There is currently no indication how many students will be turning up at school but I know there are health workers in our school community,” she said.

Guilford Young teacher Sarah Banks with her daughter Brydie Peckham 6 who goes to Lindisfarne North Primary. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Ms Banks said there were also some students without internet connectivity at home.

“There are a lot more than you would think and we are working double time tyring to get them connected. Some hard copy mail outs of work have been sent and some might have to come into school,” she said.

She said teachers were hoping to be back in the classroom full-time in Term 3.

“The real bind concerns my pre-tertiary students and when the education system will decide if the end of year exams will be the held at the same time as usual.

“We just do not know what we are working with at this point. We have pushed back the mid-year exams to Term 3 but there is so much uncertainty it is hard to plan effectively.”