By Danielle Kutchel
School students have returned to the ‘IRL’ classroom once again as Covid restrictions ease in metropolitan Melbourne.
From Friday 11 June students from all year levels were able to head back to school again after two weeks of remote learning under the circuit breaker lockdown.
Fountain Gate Secondary College staff were “thrilled” to welcome back their student body, the school said in a statement.
Assistant principal Yashar Duyal said it was “fantastic to see the students catching up and connecting with friends and teachers”.
Students enjoyed real-life art classes, outdoor PE activities and food technology on their first day back in a fortnight.
Assistant principal Sally Sherman enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm of students to resume onsite learning and see their friends.
“You never really know what to expect from students when they come back onsite so it was lovely to see everyone so optimistic and excited to be back, it was great to see the campus busy again,” she said.
At Berwick Lodge Primary School, teacher Rob Kelly said it was great to see kids on the school grounds again.
Students leapt into action on their first day, reacquainting themselves with the school grounds and getting stuck in to STEM activities.
Year 11 and 12 students had been allowed to return to school a week earlier under the gradual roll back of restrictions.
At Narre Warren South P-12 College, almost all VCE students stepped back through the gates on Friday 4 June, with the rest joining via Zoom.
Staff reported that all students were excited to be back.
Staff member Belinda Evans said being on site made a “huge difference” to teaching, as educators could check whether students had understood and received the information.
For the higher year levels, staff were now focused on ensuring they were still on track to attain their dream scores at the end of the year while remaining motivated to learn, she said.
