Illawarra parents rejoice as kids return to school

The biggest smiles were on the faces of parents but Russell Vale Public School principal Paul Cuthbertson was adamant teachers were just as excited to see kids back in the classroom.

The gradual transition back to the classroom started on Monday as the NSW Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public schools throughout NSW are welcoming students back for one day of face-to-face learning per week.

Classes are being split across schools, allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers. Initially, about a quarter of a school's students are expected to be on site at any one time.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is hopeful schools will return to full-time face-to-face teaching by the end of the month.

This is music to the ears of Illawarra parents such as Racael Camara.

The mother of four is ecstatic that her kids are returning for one-day a wekk.

"I have one going back [Tuesday] and three on Friday. To say I can't wait is an understatement," she said.

A Fairy Meadow mother and teacher who wishes to remain anonymous, was also happy to see a "staggered" start back to school.

"I have been impressed with the school's communication and organisation," she said.

"My children are very keen to return to school to see their friends and teachers. However, let's not forget that teachers are under pressure to deliver simultaneous face to face and online teaching.

"Principals and teachers are doing their best to ensure the health and safety and education of children. However, social distancing is impossible to enforce in narrow corridors and in classrooms.

"Let's not forget about the health and safety of teachers, office staff and children. Obviously nobody wants to see a second wave of infections."

School return a 'fantastic feeling' for principal - "In all honesty it has been pretty quiet and strange around the school"

"It is a fantastic feeling. In all honesty it has been pretty quiet and strange around the school."

Those words were uttered by Russell Vale Public School principal Paul Cuthbertson on Monday as he welcomed students back to the classroom for the first time in months.

"All us teachers got into it because we enjoy working with kids....so it has been a bit eerie. Our teachers were very excited this morning," Mr Cuthbertson said.

"Teachers are in this job because we enjoy working with kids. No teacher wants to be sitting on a computer all day interacting with the students remotely, they want to see them face to face, they want to see the smiles, they want to have some fun with them in the classrooms while still doing some productive learning."

While NSW public schools have been technically open during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has been the order of the day for most students.

Schools reopened this week with staggered student attendance.

Students returned for one day of face-to-face learning per week from Monday, with year 12 students to be back in public schools on average three days a week, with some like Keira High School returning full time.

At Russell Vale Public School, about 120 kindergarten and Year 1 and 2 students turned up on Monday.

Mr Cuthbertson said the school deliberately chose to bring the younger students in first because remote learning was more difficult for them.

"It is more difficult for younger students, that's why we strategically brought in our kindergarten and years 1&2 first on a Monday," he said.

"It is a struggle for them to be doing their work at home and it is a struggle for their parents to be assisting them as well so if we can get in our youngest in on a Monday, then we can set up work packages that we can assist parents who are doing a fantastic job at home in this new partnership of learning, where parents are taking on a major role.

"We really want to keep supporting them and help them out as much as we can."

Keira High School relieving principal Skye Gray said it was great all 116 Year 12 students were returning five days a week to be taught by their classroom teacher.

Students in years 7 to 11 have been allocated one day a week.

"Our Year 12 students have always been well supported with quality online learning throughout this ordeal but I'm sure they are happy to be back full time," she said.

"To be back in the classroom and have that chance to be face to face with a teacher, yes it does give that extra layer of security ...we are so excited returning today."

Read more: NSW schools could be full-time in weeks