Forster Public School welcomed the return of its students today, May 11, as part of a State-wide move to get children back in classrooms from week three of term two.
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The students are returning in their respective sporting houses one day a week, with Albatross House attending on Mondays, Gannet House on Tuesdays, Penguin House on Wednesdays and Shearwater House on Thursdays.
Those students who are unable to learn from home will attend each day of the week, with Fridays set aside for them specifically.
The school has seen a slow increase in students attending each day since term two began, with around 180 kids attending by the end of week two.
School principal, Annie Everingham, said these students were now well-accustomed with the various measures that had been put in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19.
"Our students have been amazing and are now into the routines of washing hands, using individual belongings, staying apart and not sharing food, drinks or equipment," Ms Everingham said.
The school has put in place an extensive range of measures based on advice from the Department of Education. These include:
- greeting students at the front gate with hand sanitiser;
- crosses to mark out social distancing spaces in all lining up and congregating areas;
- the closure of computer labs and the library so equipment isn't shared;
- a limit of 10-12 students per single classroom, with one student per desk;
- regular handwashing;
- soap, hand sanitiser, paper towels and disinfectant wipes in each room;
- using bubblers to fill drink bottles only;
- regular cleaning of surfaces throughout the day;
- discouraging the use of sport equipment and play equipment;
- discouraging contact sports and activities;
- staggered breaks; and
- the postponement of all external visitors to the school.
Ms Everingham said students who were unwell or showing flu-like symptoms were also sent to the sick bay and their parents or carers were called to collect them.
Any staff who were unwell were also encouraged to stay home.
Ms Everingham said for the all disruption the pandemic had caused, it had also brought with it some unexpected benefits.
With so much learning taking place at home, she believed it had helped to upskill staff, parents and students in the use of technology.
"Our staff have been amazing in becoming even more technologically adept in such a short period, providing students with remote learning packs that can be downloaded from our Skoolbag App each Friday or collected as a hard copy," Ms Everingham said.
"The students at home are completing the same work that the students are completing at school.
"We are in awe of our parents and carers for working with the school so positively and supporting each other through this unusual period."
Ms Everingham believed the uncertain times had also provided a great opportunity for families to connect.
"We hear stories of families riding bikes after lessons, playing board games, cooking together, going for walks, reading books to and with each other more often than usual," she said.
"I have heard parents inform staff that it has given them an added appreciation of what a teacher does each day in caring for and engaging their child at school."
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But Ms Everingham said it was good to see things slowly starting to transition back to normal.
"We believe students will welcome coming back with their siblings and to see their own teacher and class mates," she said.
"We are looking forward to having our wonderful school community back to normal with our volunteers and supporters actively engaged again, when we are informed it is safe to do so."
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