St Agnes' Parish primary school and secondary college students will begin to return to school classrooms in a staged approach from Monday, May 11 with the priority to ensure year 12 and infants school students are settled first.

Coordinating executive officer for St Agnes' Parish Education, Stephen Pares, said Parish schools have worked with the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) in Lismore to develop a transition plan for the return of students attending St Agnes', St Joseph's and St Peter's primary schools and St Joseph's Regional College, MacKillop College and Newman Senior Technical College.

"Our plan for a staged return from May 11, which focuses on Year 12 and K-2 in the first instance, reflects the relevant advice and guidance from the appropriate authorities," Mr Pares said.

"We have circulated a schedule to parents and caregivers to manage the return of different year groups on different days."

Students in each year will be allocated the day they are to return to school over the next two weeks to May 22.

All schools will implement health and safety measures for hygiene and social distancing as outlined in State and Federal government communications and in line with Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) protocols.

"The growth, development and care of the students in our schools is always our top priority, so a number of factors were taken into consideration in planning for this transition," Mr Pares said.

"For example, as our year 12 students re-enter the school learning environment what sort of support will they need and what is the best way to manage the return of the different year groups.

"It will no doubt be a challenging time for students, staff and families however we are well placed to respond to the situation.

"We have in place a strong system of pastoral care, a hallmark of Catholic education that provides various support mechanisms for students in our school communities.

"The backing we have received from our parent community as we work through this complex situation has also been reassuring."

A schedule for the attendance of St Agnes' Parish students beyond May 22 is contingent on the COVID-19 situation and advice from the government.

At St Columba Anglican School, year 11 and 12 students will be the priority for classroom return on May 11.

The following week, it is the school's intention to bring all students back for face-to-face teaching.

"For those students who are unable, for diagnosed health reasons, to attend classes, a level of online educational support will continue to be available," principal Terry Muldoon said.

Health protocols will remain in place with students attending the campus to continue handwashing/sanitising, appropriate distancing 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."

Hastings Secondary College's Port Macquarie and Westport campuses has supplied students with new laptops and 4G wireless hotspots for the staggered return to school while continuing with online at-home 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.

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