LIMESTONE Coast schools are preparing for increased numbers of children at their facilities next week as South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer delivered a clear message to families to feel comfortable and safe about students returning to the classroom.
While many of the region’s educational institutes experienced significant drops in attendance late last term as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, schools are expecting increased attendance on Monday but will still provide alternative learning solutions for those wishing to stay home.
It follows the state’s top health expert Professor Nicola Spurrier writing to parents and caregivers ahead of Term 2, encouraging families to send their children to school or preschool.
In her letter, Prof Spurrier said with the low levels of COVID-19 in South Australia, along with the state’s wider public health strategies, there was no need for school closures, also noting the importance of schools as a central part of children’s lives.
“Even when we had higher rates of disease in South Australia, only 2pc of cases were school students, all of which had mild illness and have fully recovered,” she said.
“I encourage families to feel comfortable and safe about sending children to school.”
Mount Gambier one portfolio education director Adam Box said advice from SA Health had remained unchanged and schools, preschools and early childhood facilities should remain open across the Limestone Coast.
Mr Box said all of the district’s facilities were encouraging students back to school, but the preferences of parents and carers would always be respected.
“If they do not feel comfortable sending their children to school or preschool for whatever reason, they are not obliged to,” he said.
Mr Box said education sites were continuing to focus on implementing remote learning strategies during the COVID-19 crisis.
“This will be particularly important for children and young people with medical conditions who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19,” he said.
“Sites across the Limestone Coast are well prepared for Term 2 thanks largely to the incredibly hardworking efforts of our educators and leaders,” he said.
Tenison Woods College – the region’s largest school with children ranging from preschool to Year 12 – predicts around 65pc of its students will return on Monday – an increase from the 25pc recorded during the last week of Term 1.
College principal David Mezinec said the facility endeavoured to provide the best continuity of learning for all students.
Mr Mezinec said staff would also remind students of physical distancing to minimise the risk of contracting and passing on germs to others.
Yahl Primary School principal Chris Morrison said communication with families had indicated a majority of children would return to the school on Monday.
Similarly to Tenison and other regional schools, maintaining good hygiene will be a focus.
Ms Morrison said despite being a small school, the classrooms catered for the same number of children as other larger schools.
“We are fortunate to have a large playing area where children can spread out during breaks,” she said.
“Teachers will utilise other learning spaces such as the undercover area and library and we will be spacing out seating.”
Ms Morrison said parents and caregivers would be asked to leave and collect their children at the school gate during Term 2 to minimise contact and the number of people on the school grounds.
Limestone Coast families are urged to keep children or adolescents at home if they experience flu-like symptoms.
