Return to class stirs mixed emotions due to weekend tourism rush

As students across Victoria returned to classrooms today, an influx of tourists to coastal hot spots over the long weekend has raised fresh concerns for some families.

Gippsland Grammar Year 5 student Obi Vardy was happy to return to campus today.

SCHOOLS across Victoria welcomed all students back to campus today, with more than 500,000 Year 3-10 students joining their peers who have been learning in classrooms for the past two weeks.

While most students, parents and teachers were celebrating, there were some cautious families that stayed away.

Gippsland Grammar’s new principal Leisa Harper said it was “an absolute delight” to have all year levels on campus.

Ms Harper started in the leadership role in term 2, which meant today was the first time she met many of the students.

“I have always thought the grounds are beautiful, but they have really come alive with the children here,” she said. “They are so happy to be back with each other.

“I think this has really reminded all of us about the importance of relationships.

“I think it is great what we have all achieved with learn at home, but it is the reality that our relationships are the most important part of what makes us successful.”

In southwest Victoria, Apollo Bay P-12 principal Tiffany Holt was also happy to welcome all year levels back, with hand sanitiser at the ready.

“I think there were a lot of kids who were very excited to be back,” she said. “We had some kids who had a few grumbles about being back because they had really flourished in remote learning. But by recess everyone was back in the swing of things.”

The small-enrolment school delivered an engaging remote learning program for all its students, with lower primary years receiving hard-pack materials and Years 5 and up using online learning systems.

“We had enormous fun and even had a group of teachers who would drive around and do contactless delivery of packs,” Ms Holt said.

Several families have chosen not to send their children back to campus for the remainder of the term due to health concerns, Ms Holt said.

She said the Great Ocean Road town had been overrun with tourists over the long weekend, igniting fresh concerns in the community about coronavirus transmission.

“Our population swelled by many thousands this weekend. Holiday accommodation was completely booked,” she said.

“We are in a tricky position. A lot of our community relies on the tourism, and the jobs associated with that on the accommodation side.

“It was important for people’s livelihoods for tourists to return, but there is fear of what so many more people being back in our small town will mean and what that potentially brings.”

The Department of Education estimated about 389,000 students returned to government schools today, along with about 229,000 students from independent and Catholic schools.

The staged return to school was designed to allow the Chief Health Officer to monitor the effects on the increased movement of people and transmission of coronavirus within the community.

Schools, including Apollo Bay P-12, implemented staggered drop-off and pick-ups to reduce the number of adults at school grounds at any one time.

Some schools have staggered break times to manage the number of students mixing across year levels.

All schools will implement physical distancing measures for staff, and school staff have been prioritised for voluntary coronavirus testing.

“Going back to the classroom will be a welcome change for students, teachers and families who have all done an excellent job while students learnt from home,” Victorian Education James Merlino said.

“Having students learning from home has made a significant contribution to slowing the spread of coronavirus in our community and helped save lives.”

He also today announced schools can now apply for grants of up to $500,000 to modernise and improve learning spaces and boost the condition and character of the school.

Examples of eligible projects include upgrades to classrooms, sports ovals and toilets as well as the installation of new playground equipment, bike sheds, fencing and basketball and netball rings.

The fund is part of the more than $2.7 billion Building Works package recently announced by the Victorian Government which included $1.18 billion for the education infrastructure construction and will create jobs for Victorians.

“This extra infrastructure funding will mean even more local schools will share in the largest investment in school infrastructure in Victoria’s history,” Mr Merlino said.

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