GOING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM
RYAN Catholic College will today be one of many North Queensland schools welcoming back its Kindy, Prep, Years 1, 11 and 12 students who were learning from home because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Erin Stafford, acting deputy principal of the school’s junior campus, said the return would feel like the start of a new year for some students.
Ms Stafford said the lockdown was a learning curve for students and teachers but her staff coped well in delivering classes online.
She said social distancing and enhanced hygiene standards would be maintained and parents would not be allowed on school grounds to drop off or pick up their children.
School start times and lunch breaks will be staggered while assemblies, sports, excursions, camps and inter-school activities are cancelled for the rest of term.
Education Minister Grace Grace said some parents may want to keep their children at home due to concerns about coronavirus and their child would not be marked as absent but as learning from home.
“In these cases, parents and carers remain responsible for their children. This includes ensuring their children stay at home and continue their learning by accessing material such as those provided for parents on the learning at home website,” she said.
The Government will make a statewide assessment of the easing of restrictions at school on May 15 and could reopen classes to students in remaining grades on May 25.