LIMESTONE Coast students will soon be able to attend school assemblies, class photographs and intrastate excursions with COVID-19 restrictions expected to be lifted across education facilities at the end of the month.
Restrictions on school activities will be lifted from June 29, paving the way for Term 3 to return to normal for many South Australian students.
Parents, volunteers, departmental support and other service providers will also be able to enter school and preschool grounds again, provided health advice is followed.
There will also be no cap on the number of people in one room, however the one person per four-square metre requirement will need to be followed by adults.
Welcoming the news, Grant High School principal Fleur Roachock said some current measures would be retained.
She said there had been recent discussion surrounding the facility’s annual school formal and Year 12 graduation, which would look slightly different this year.
“It is interesting, because some things school will be able to do, still do not fit in with expectations of what the community is allowed to do,” she said.
“While the department has said we can go ahead with particular things, we are still limited. Venues are not able to allow us in because they do not operate under the same rules as us.
“We do not have to follow social distancing rules here, but would if we went to another site.”
Ms Roachock said students had recently been on outdoor education camps while following COVID-19 restriction guidelines.
“We plan to make up for what sports events were missed during Term 2 by having some single day daytime carnivals,” she said.
“We will not be sending any young people away to Adelaide for finals, other than hockey, which is where we tend to do very well.”
Despite being given leeway to lift restrictions, Ms Roachock said it remained at individual schools’ discretion.
“On the surface it looks pretty good, but we are still a bit constricted … We still need to keep everybody safe,” she said.
“Kids are certainly happier with a little bit more freedom and it is important they can burn some energy and get outside to do a few things.”
A silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis has been the introduction of online and remote learning strategies, which could be quickly rolled out again if an outbreak occurred.
“We are maintaining our online presence, which is helpful including the use of Google classroom, ready-made websites and other systems,” she said.
“Kids are being very adaptable and staff are amazing so I guess we get to be a patch of normality in a situation which has not at all been normal.”
The restrictions have been extra challenging for Year 7 students preparing the transition to high school.
Tours and programs introducing them to the senior school environment have been cancelled, along with key events marking their final year of primary school.
Melaleuca Park Primary School students yesterday expressed their disappointment at missing out on things such as Pedal Prix, school sporting events, school assemblies and other major events during their final year of primary school.
“It is a bit annoying because it is always fun to try new things,” student leader Brody said.
“We had already began and getting stuck into preparing for Sports Day, but that got cut short because of COVID-19.”
Brody said a Blue Light disco, which was organised as reward for outstanding sun-safety in the primary school in Term 1, had to be cancelled.
“We were sad when that happened and everybody keeps asking me when it will happen again, but we will begin preparing for that again now.”
Education Minister John Gardner said it was the selfless dedication from public health officials which had made the lifting of restrictions possible across education facilities.
“The lifting of these restrictions will also provide a critical lifeline for many businesses who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, such as those who are welcoming the return of intrastate school camps and excursions,” he said.
“I want to thank all our education staff who have done an exceptional job through this unprecedented time, providing true community leadership in supporting children and young people across South Australia.”
With all South Australian borders set to open on July 20, the Education Department will consult with SA Health regarding interstate school camps and provide further advice to schools.
Activities to resume at education sites from June 29:
School assemblies
Class photos
All intrastate camps and excursions
All school sport competitions, sports days and carnivals, including inter-school competitions
Inter-school choirs, bands and other performing arts activities
School formals, socials and discos
Playgroups and occasional care
Larger face-to-face professional learning activities
