THOUSANDS of school students across Port Macquarie-Hastings have hit the books for term two, albeit temporarily from their home study, dining table or shared family work space.
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Back to school does not mean back to normal however, with strict health rules remaining in place for the return of face-to-face teaching.
Zoom, Google classroom and online assessment tasks will be the "new norm" for the next two weeks before students are progressively returned to school starting with one day a week from May 11.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said public, Catholic and independent schools were all on board with the plan. Schools are currently open amid the coronavirus pandemic but students are recommended to learn from home.
Current restrictions will remain in place for the first two weeks of term two through to May 11, when students will need to attend school one day per week.
No more than a quarter of the school cohort will be on campus at one time.
The government will aim for a full-time return to school in term three, starting in late July.
St Columba Anglican School's (SCAS) executive and school council have collaborated to develop a plan for the return to face-to-face teaching this term.
The plan has been informed by, and in concurrence with NSW Health guidelines, to offer students the full benefit of the SCAS teaching and learning experience in a face-to-face environment.
Year 11 and 12 students are expected to be among the first to return to the classroom as a priority from week two, principal Terry Muldoon said, with all other years to continue the same online learning format rolled out in term one.
"Those parents who believe it is safer to keep their children home will continue to receive our quality online learning and pastoral care program." Mr Muldoon said.
"From three onward onward, St Columba will re-commence its face-to-face teaching. This means we will bring back on campus all students whose health allows them to attend class.
"For those students who are unable, for diagnosed health reasons, to attend classes, a level of online educational support will continue to be available."
Health protocols will remain in place with students attending the campus to continue handwashing/sanitising, appropriate behaviours, and physical separation. St Columba will also check the temperature of students and staff attending the campus.
"To make the campus as safe as possible the school will continue to restrict access to the campus, continue enhanced cleaning, monitor contact between students, and continue good health teaching," Mr Muldoon added.
Hastings Secondary College's Port Macquarie and Westport campuses has supplied students with new laptops and 4G wireless hotspots for the return to school on Tuesday, April 28.
The new equipment has been provided by the NSW Department of Education.
Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie campus principal Megan Cook said flexible learning will continue until restrictions are eased.
"We are continuing the same way as we have been in the last couple of weeks," Ms Cook said.
"Students should prioritise their video conferencing lessons but they can structure their day to suit them."
There will be no formal assessment tasks for students in years seven to 10. For students in 11 and 12 the school will follow NSW Education Standards Authority guidelines and some tasks will be modified.
Executive principal Ian Ross said priority will be given to students in years 12 and 11 to assist with the preparation of their HSC.
Meanwhile, chair of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) COVID-19 Response Committee, Professor Peter Shergold confirmed the class of 2020 will sit HSC written exams later this year.
Professor Shergold said the committee is systematically working through every element of this year's HSC so that the results issued to students in mid-December take into account any disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The health and safety of students, teachers, exam supervisors and markers, as well as equity for students remain central to the Committee's planning for this year's HSC," Professor Shergold said.
The marking process for Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design major projects and Visual Arts bodies of work have been changed, so students will have an extra two weeks to work on their projects, and the marks will be provided by their teachers.
"Teachers are best placed to consider the extent of any disruption experienced by their individual students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they will have been closely monitoring their progress since term four last year," Professor Shergold said.
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