Schools recommend masks

STUDENTS at two Victorian schools have been recommended to wear masks in classrooms as the state continues to record thousands of Covid cases a day.

Girton Grammar School in Bendigo sent a letter to parents last week, noting their “strong preference” for students to mask up.

Acting head Dr Emma O’Rielly said the stance was made following Covid outbreaks impacting both teachers and students at the school.

“With the high level of student and staff absences already communicated to you, I am writing to advise that from Monday 23rd May, our strong preference is for students in Year 3 and above, and all staff, to wear masks when indoors,” she wrote.

Similarly, Mentone Girls’ Secondary College in Melbourne’s Bayside has advised pupils to wear a mask while indoors on campus.

“While masks are not compulsory in schools we highly recommend that staff and students wear them,” the school wrote in a message to parents.

The rewind in rules comes days after several schools in Victoria were forced to return to remote learning due to staffing shortages.