A Wollongong educator has conceded the chopping and changing of the return to school roadmap "was difficult for everyone".
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Initially the NSW government set out a staged return to face-to-face learning starting from November 1.
But after Dominic Perrottet took over as NSW Premier from Gladys Berejiklian, he brought forward the return to school date to the week beginning October 18, for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students.
This week the rest of the student cohort returned to the classroom.
Keira High School principal Scott Frazier said while bringing the return to school date forward was difficult for everyone, he was impressed how flexible staff, students and parents were in responding so well to the changes.
"Obviously having kids in the classroom is the great thing that we are all after. So coming back early, yes it was difficult but we were able to meet the challenge and being able to see people back has been really good," he said.
Mr Frazier only took over as Keira High principal in term 3 this year. Wollongong is not new for the Junee born and bred educator who studied at the University of Wollongong and lived in the area in the early stages of his career.
"I started at the beginning of term 3 when we went into the learning-from-home model so today is my first day with Years 7 to 12 students here," he said.
"It is fantastic to see so many kids really excited to be here, lots of smiles. We've had really strong attendance as well, with not many kids away at all."
Mr Frazier said once the announcement was made to return to school earlier, teachers, non-teaching staff and learning support officers worked hard to get the school ready for the return of all students.
"I'm so proud of the students and staff being able to return. Their energy and enthusiasm for coming back has been really strong. We've also had great support from our families," he said.
New school captains Geordie McCarthy and Molly Rigby agreed with their principal that it was great to be back in the classroom.
NSW Teachers Federation vice-president Henry Rajendra said the earlier-than-expected return to school had made things much more difficult for schools.
"Even though the vaccination rates for teachers are above the statewide average, we know that some schools have been struggling to find the necessary teachers to commence this week," Mr Rajendra said.
"While teachers look forward to seeing our students and welcoming them back it still will mean a very challenging time for schools."
Albion Park High School and Russell Vale Public School are just two Illawarra schools which have closed in recent weeks because of COVID cases.
"Through no fault of teachers, through no fault of students, the circumstances that we are currently in is due to the shifting of the return to school roadmap.
"Clearly parents would welcome the return of students to school. Not withstanding we are also concerned about the unavailability of a vaccine for under 12s and of course the ventilation issues that have yet to be rectified by the Department of Education," Mr Rajendra said.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
