More than six million tests will be distributed to 3000 public, Catholic and independent schools across the state before the start of the term to ensure enough supply for the first two weeks of term.The non-mandatory testing regimen will take place for four weeks from the start of school on February 1, with the need for further testing to be reviewed in the future.Access to the RATs forms the key plank of the state government’s long-awaited back-to-school plan.While staff both primary and high school will be required to wear surgical masks, the rule will only apply to high school students. Teachers had been calling for everyone to wear safety masks of P2 standard.As for calls to improve ventilation, the government is responding to an audit conducted last year, with air purifiers being installed in identified problem areas as well as windows being repaired so that they can open.The plan also requires teaching staff to be double-jabbed, along with improvements to cleaning, cohorting and limited visitors on site.Music, school sport and assemblies will continue while overnight camps will also be able to go ahead with “appropriate risk planning” and parental consent.Premier Dominic Perrottet said the plan ensured students returned to school safely while enjoying all that school offered in “a Covid-smart way”.COVID BACK TO SCHOOL RULESEducation Minister Sarah Mitchell said activities such as music, school sport and assemblies, would continue with settings in place similar to late last year.“We’re still not back to normal and the start to the year will have its challenges, however these settings are a smart and safe start to the year,” she said.Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos, who is yet to view the details of the plan, said the union remained concerned for the health and safety of staff and students with Omicron demonstrating that “nowhere is safe”.Daily Telegraph – News Feed latest episodeWhile a “disruptive” start to the school year was “inevitable”, it was incumbent on the government to make schools as safe as they could be, he said.“That is why we have and will continue to insist that the implementation of risk mitigation strategies, RATs, masks, ventilation, cohorting, is as robust as it can be,” Mr Gavrielatos said.“We clearly remain concerned for the health and safety of our students and their families and there’s good reason for it.“How many other jobs require you to be on a worksite with literally hundreds of people, in some instances up to 2000, stuck in restricted, often poorly ventilated (classrooms) with up to 30 people? We will be closely monitoring the impact of the risk mitigation strategies with a view to reviewing and seeking urgent adjustments necessary to ensure the greatest amount of protection can be offered to our students and staff.”North Bondi mother-of-three Sophie Morgan, who manages Sydney Harbour kayaking business OzPaddle, said she was looking forward to having her children returning to school.Ms Morgan, who is up at dawn taking clients out for their harbour tours and fitness sessions, said homeschooling had not been without its challenges.“We managed but I am looking forward to them returning to school,” she said.Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.auNED-5192-DT-App-Banner
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