Dozens of Sydney schools have cancelled in-person HSC trials even though year 12 will be allowed to return to classrooms in two weeks amid anxiety from students, parents and teachers about the safety of attending campus while COVID-19 case numbers remain stubbornly high.
While it broadly agreed with year 12 returning, the sector was concerned about “whether teachers are willing to return to school in sufficient numbers to support returning students,” wrote Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney. “At a minimum, the public release of [Chief Medical Officer Kerry] Dr Chant’s primary advice that supports a safe return of the HSC cohort on 16 August is required,” he wrote. “This will allow families and school leaders to make the best judgements in respect of the safety and wellbeing of staff and students.
Craig Petersen, the head of the Secondary Principals Council, said schools inside hotspot local government areas were having trouble finding enough teachers allowed to work on the site, as many live outside the LGAs. However, year 12 teachers were not easily substituted because their specialty knowledge was so important.
“If all year 12 students and teachers were going back, if we had all year 12s coming back and all the teachers coming back, able to travel to their own school, that would be relatively straightforward. I think this is going to increase the complexity, increase the anxiety and increase the inequity.”
JordsBaker And now they change the goal posts again. Now they want more people to Criss cross Sydney and potentially spread the virus ffs 🤦♀️
JordsBaker I would not let my child sit exams unless they were double vaccinated AND everyone in family was double vaccinated
JordsBaker Very wise decision with physical and mental well being of students in mind. School is not safe for teachers and students at any age until the vast majority is vaccinated.
JordsBaker So they should parents are terrified by this absolute insanity
JordsBaker How much of this is because of the fear created by unions?
JordsBaker It's called internal party polling.