Return to Onsite Learning

Education Minister James Merlino announced the reopening of schools on Monday 12th of October. The decision to return to onsite learning was based on the updated public health advice and the current situation in Victoria, where experts see the region’s progress in defeating the second wave of Covid-19.

Since October 5th, students in specific year levels begun the transition to onsite learning. Yesterday, all primary students in years P-6 returned to school. Students in years 7,11 and 12 arer also returning to school this week, though schools have the option to stagger the return depending on local circumstances.

However, based on Victoria’s reopening roadmap, it is expected that all students in Prep to 6, Year 7, 11, and 12 will be back onsite by Friday 16th of October.

How to help your child transition back to school
Due to the coronavirus, returning to school this October feels very different. In fact, parents and children are expected to feel overwhelmed with greater levels of stress and anxiety, especially when there’s a threat of contracting and spreading Covid-19 at school.

While stress and anxiety levels may be high, it’s essential for parents to help their children cope with this transition and reduce their worries. There are several ways to encourage a positive back-to-school transition, and these will include the following:

• Have an honest and open discussion with your children

It’s important for parents to have an honest, factual and open conversation with your children, especially when it comes to Covid-19 and the implications of the return to school. You should also reiterate their role in staying safe, like washing hands, avoiding touching their face, using hand-sanitizer, and keeping distance from other students when in school.

• Identify fears to tame fears

Parents should also use the name-it-to-tame-it strategy wherein they will identify the current concerns of their children and what they should do about it. With this strategy, you should label your child’s fears and the things they can do to avoid or at least lessen the impact this fear has on their lives. You should also acknowledge that there are things that are out of our control, and it’s best to just focus on what we can control.

• Model a calm behaviour

It’s okay for us parents to be worried, but we must always show a calm and confident attitude to our children. When they’re returning to school, it’s best to give your children some positive messages since this can encourage them to have a cheerful attitude. Talk to them about the clusters of cases and how unlikely it is that the virus will reach their school. But, for extra safety, they just need to follow the standard health protocols in their school.

What differences to expect in schools
All students will now be required to wear masks and do frequent hand washing when inside the school premises. Some schools might also limit the number of students per classroom, so this means that they might re-arrange the sections or extend school hours in order to implement the social distancing rules set by the government.

What to do if you or your child feel unwell
The first thing to do if you or your child feel unwell is to call your healthcare provider in your area as soon as possible. It’s also recommended that you organise a test for Covid-19 and quarantine your child and yourself inside your home while you wait on results. This will prevent any possible transmission and determine the cause of your child’s illness.

You or your child may also get a flu vaccine which can reduce the likelihood of being sick or hospitalised.

Overall, it’s essential to help your child to cope with the challenges brought upon by this pandemic. Therefore, you’ll need to have a proactive mindset as you support them though the return to onsite learning. If your child is in need of a tutor for Maths in Melbourne, contact us today!