Students across Dubbo have this week returned to school on a staggered basis following directions from the federal government.
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In April, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined the plan for students attending NSW public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2.
Under the changes every student will attend school for one day a week, with the government looking to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by Term 3.
Dubbo North Public School Principal Toby Morgan said his students were going really well with the staggered approach.
"Students have all come back quite happy and very excited to see their friends," he said.
The staggered return is different for each for school, with the government suggesting organising students return by years, houses or alphabetically.
Dubbo North Public has a total of 273 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and they are returning according to their school house.
"We just tried to do it (the school house approach) to make it the most convenient for the community," Mr Morgan explained, adding that students are put into houses with their family.
"Some families have children across multiple years... we just thought it would be the most fair and it's keeping families together."
Mr Morgan said attendance about 50 per cent on May 13, and he has no doubt numbers will increase next week.
The good attendance numbers during the first week has shown the Dubbo North Public principal that not only are students coping with the staggered approach, but that parents value their children's education.
Mr Morgan said teachers were also excited to get back to school, as many have been working from home, doing online learning.
As student attendance is not at full capacity, a roster system will be created for teachers to allow them the opportunity to continue working from home and go back to face-to-face learning.
To help keep students, staff and the community healthy and safe during this period, cleaning of the school has increased, with an additional cleaner being put on.
Dubbo North Public also have extra sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and soap.
For students still learning from home, the school has educational booklets that they can use.
"So when they do return they haven't missed out," Mr Morgan explained.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
