BY JARROD MELMETH
The state government has announced Hunter students will return to the classroom a week earlier, thanks to the state wide vaccination rollout.
A staggered return will still take place on the following dates.
- October 18: Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12
- October 25: Year 2, 6 and 11
- November 1: Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
The bringing forward of the return to school plan comes as the Teacher's Federation voices its concerns that schools aren't ready to open. This move has angered many parents who say there has been ample time.
When the original return to school plan was announced, teachers were given until November 8 to receive both doses of a COVID vaccine, this requirement remains and will not be brought forward along with the return date.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the return to school plan was always linked to the vaccination rates of the community, and thanks to faster vaccination rates than expected, students will be able to return to the classroom sooner.
“We have been clear that a return to school should begin once the state passed 70 per cent fully vaccinated, and thanks to the incredible efforts from the people of NSW, we will reach that milestone sooner than expected.
“Managing a return in a school system the size of NSW’s is not a small task. Keeping the staged approach, but moving it all one week earlier, allows schools to shift their plans forward and still provides time for staff and eligible students to get vaccinated," Ms Berejiklian said.
Schools are expected to announce their COVID safe plans to families from next week.
Areas of the Hunter where stay-at-home orders have been lifted including in Singleton, Upper Hunter and Dungog will continue learning face-to-face from Day 1, Term 4.
