OPINION: The start of school term is almost here, but what lies ahead?
With the start of the school year only a few days away, our house is a mix of emotions.
I have two boys, five and six-years-old, with my youngest going into Prep this year. The kids are both excited and of course, devastated that the holidays are ending, but all I am hoping for is a school year without too much disruption from new COVID health measures put in place.
So, what can Queensland parents expect on the first day back?
The Queensland Department of Education has put in place COVID-safe measures throughout Queensland school communities and will be using a range of COVID-19 prevention and health measures to limit the risk of transmission.
According to the Department’s Back to School Plan 2022, these health measures include:
- Staying home when sick
- Getting tested when exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and following Queensland Health advice for positive cases or close contacts
- Practising good hygiene – including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitiser, wearing face masks when required, minimising gatherings or assemblies and physical distancing
- Using the Queensland Check-In App to register any visitors
- Cleaning including sick rooms and student or child service areas, playground equipment and play materials, with extra attention on high-touch point surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, desks, toilets, taps and sinks
- Ensuring good airflow in learning spaces using natural and mechanical ventilation
“Our school has a thing called ‘Day 8’ and it makes me nervous every year,” she says. “It goes based on class numbers and by Day 8 they have to decide if they break up classes or not. Which means, our young ones just get settled and then they have to move classes and teachers. “I’m also very nervous that I cant be there for my youngest on his first Day of Year 1 because of COVID restrictions.”
How are you feeling about the school year ahead? Let us know here.