It’s stop, drop and go for it as students return to class
Scramble as pupils return
CAIRNS retailers were left bare at the weekend after parents and students rushed in to stores for chaotic midyear back-to-school shopping.
As all grades returned to their classrooms yesterday for the first time in nine weeks, there’s no doubt some students were in need of new supplies.
Redlynch mum Lauren Moal said her daughter Amelia Walton, 6, needed a number of items before returning to St Andrew’s Catholic College.
“The shelves were just bare,” Ms Moal said.
“We needed a few things including school shoes, but there was nothing in her size.
“We even had to try a few different stores.”
But even without a new pair of shoes, she said her daughter wasn’t disappointed to return to school.
“She loves her school and she really missed it.
“I think she’d been missing the social aspect – all her friends and the play dates,” Ms Moal said.
Amelia’s principal at St Andrew’s, Sean Mangan, said the first day back for all students “went exceptionally well”.
“There was a real buzz, it felt like the start of a new year,” Dr Mangan said.
“I went around to the classrooms and congratulated everyone on their remote learning efforts.
“There was a really positive feeling because a lot of the students hadn’t seen each other or their teachers in a long time.”
He said although not everything was completely back to normal at his school, he was happy with everyone’s efforts in adapting to the school’s new procedures.
“I went around and every teacher had hand sanitiser in their room. And I think the students are well educated there as well.
“Everyone was conscious of social distancing and we’ve now got individual desks. Previously we had a focus on collaborative learning,” Dr Mangan said.
“We haven’t had to stagger our lunch breaks because we have quite a large amount of space.
“But we’ve staggered our finish times, so some younger students are finishing five to 10 minutes earlier.”
He said he was also encouraging parents to display their surnames on their car’s visors to improve afternoon traffic.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said she was pleased all students were returning to school, but reminded schools that “we’re not out of the woods yet”.
“With back to school, it’s important we observe one key message: if you are sick, stay at home,” she said.
“This applies to all students, teachers, to anyone in the school environment.
“If you are sick, please stay at home, Ms Palaszczuk said.
WE NEEDED A FEW THINGS INCLUDING SCHOOL SHOES, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN HER SIZE. WE EVEN TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT STORES MUM LAUREN MOAL