Public schools across St George and Sutherland Shire are having a varied approach to getting students back inside classrooms, albeit for online learning, with some high schools concentrating on ensuring more face-to-face learning for year 12 students in the lead up to the HSC.
Schools are heeding NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's call to have students attend school one day a week from week three of term two, which starts Monday, by setting up rosters via year group, while others are using sports colour houses.
Cronulla High School is staging the return of its students by grade, with years 7 to 10 going back one day each a week, while year 12 students will attend campus four to five days a week.
In a letter to parents, principal Tony Ibrahim said the executive team has looked at a variety of models to support the educational needs of all students while keeping all members of the community safe.
"In developing this model, we considered the needs of our students, in conjunction with the guidelines from the government and the Department of Education," he said.
Mr Ibrahim said students in years 7 to 10 would be placed in classrooms with no more than 10 students, where they will be supervised by a staff member while engaging in online learning.
There will be no face-to-face teaching and students will not be assigned their regular teachers.
"All periods will be a continuation of online learning, with the added benefit of their class teacher being able to answer questions, explain concepts and check in with your child," he said.
"Online learning will be in line with their current timetabled lessons, whether they are learning from home or at school [and] will continue from home on all other school days."
He said teachers would host video lessons for students in years 7 to 10 "at least once a fortnight" for each subject.
Year 11 students will have a similar structure to year 7-10, with all classes online.
Only year 12 students will have face-to-face lessons, four days a week.
"With year 12 completing their HSC, it is vital to increase their attendance and contact with teachers to ensure that they are afforded the best opportunity to prepare for their HSC," he said.
"It is essential that all students attend [school] to engage in teaching and learning."
Mr Ibrahim said all students were expected to engage in "enhanced hygiene practices and social distancing".
He said the current plan would be in place "until further notice".
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined their plan last month to get students back into classrooms in term two.
Since then, the NSW Department of Education has released its own guidelines for the "phased operating model" for NSW schools.
It said the five-phase plan was flexible, "allowing us to slowly bring schools back to normal while responding quickly to new spikes in transmission if they occur".
The department said NSW schools were "safe, clean and secure places for students and staff".
"Schools are being sent additional provisions of soap and hygiene supplies, such as hand sanitiser. We will continue to work with schools to ensure they have access to sufficient supplies," it said.
"NSW public schools are regularly and professionally cleaned. Enhanced cleaning is being implemented across all NSW public schools.
"Schools will continue to implement appropriate social distancing measures proportionate to health advice at the time, which is that social distancing for children is different than adults."
The following hygiene practices apply:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water before and after eating and after going to the toilet
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Avoid touching your face
- Limit physical contact when greeting people
- Limit physical contact in the playground.
The following social distancing measures apply:
- No interschool competitions
- No 'in person' assemblies
- No excursions
- Follow your school's advice regarding changes to drop-off and pick-up, including staying in your car when dropping off and picking up your child/children
- Limits on community use of school sites.
Additional social distancing measures can include:
- Staggered break times to avoid classes mixing
- Staggered school drop-off and pick-up times
- Smaller class sizes
- Reduced children numbers on campus each day
- Social distancing markers on school grounds.
To see the department's advice for families click here.
