A RETURN to school will pose serious problems for regional areas as far as NSW Teachers Federation Angelo Gavrielatos is concerned.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered all schools to reopen in a staged approach from May 11.
But, the "problematic" plan gives little thought to timetables and school pick-up transport in regional NSW, Mr Gavrielatos said.
"We don't have multiple drop-offs and pick-ups, these complications have not been thought through," he said.
"The difficulty to get to and from schools is even greater in our rural and regional settings.
"We believe the model announced is highly problematic and fails to appreciate or comprehend the massive timetabling demands on schools."
As of May 11, at least 25 per cent of students will return to classrooms in a configuration that has largely been left up to the individual school.
Students could be returned in year groups, sports houses or by family households dependent on what it most suitable for the school.
There has been little direction for boarding schools, but Tamworth's independent Calrossy Anglican School principal David Smith said it will take the advice of NSW Health.
"We want to be back to school and back to normal as soon as we are able to do so," he said.
"We are making plans but the big priority is our Year 12 HSC students, we don't want to disadvantage them.
"We're looking at how we might do it, the challenge is with siblings in the same family it will be difficult to do multiple journeys."
The school has about 900 students, five boarding houses and two campuses, a factor that Mr Smith said will be helpful in the return to school.
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Staff are doing a risk assessment of the boarding houses at the moment, he said.
"In the same way nursing homes and cruise liners can be at-risk for [COVID-19] infection, the boarding house has shared bedrooms and bathrooms so the priority would be the older kids," he said.
"We're trying to be sensible and listen to the advice because the big issue is protecting staff and kids."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
