New preps start school

Berwick Lodge Primary School prep student Jax with his mum Tara. 266510_02

By Shelby Brooks

Students, parents and teachers alike were thrilled to return to the classroom this week for a new school year.

Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said only one child had tears for the first day of prep on Tuesday 1 January.

“Parents are pretty happy to have the kids back at school too,” he said.

As part of a plan announced on January 23 to keep education settings open, the Victorian Government delivered more than 14 million rapid antigen tests to schools, early childhood education and care services.

Rapid antigen testing will be in place for at least the first four weeks of Term 1.

Testing twice-weekly at home will be recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood education and care staff.

Mask wearing will continue, with students in Grade 3 and above required to wear masks indoors.

Mr Grossek said so far there hadn’t been any distribution issues with RATs.

“The proof will be in the pudding that parents do the right thing and test their children twice a week,” he said.