Big smiles all round at Chairo

Eagerly excited to get back into the swing of things. Pictures: CHAIRO CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

By Mitchell Clarke

Bubbles and balloons were at the ready as excited staff at Chairo Christian School’s Pakenham campus prepared to welcome back students to on-site learning.

Just as students had settled in to the concept of at home learning, the State Government announced that the classroom would reopen for select years from Tuesday 26 May.

Despite students having been engaged in online and remote learning since the final week of Term 1, the mood during Tuesday morning’s drop off was best described as “very much like” the first day of the school year.

Chairo Christian School dubbed the unique period of learning as a success but staff members were no doubt thrilled to be return to some normalcy.

Parent Tenielle Murray said she was “so thankful” for the fun atmosphere of balloons and bubbles, which helped her little one get settled in again.

“My little daughter was quite worried about the Coronavirus and being at school without me, but she saw the bubbles and off she went,” Ms Murray explained.

“My heart was so happy after drop off; it was a breeze and such a relief. I just cannot say how thankful we are for the school.”

Students in the broader Year 3 to 10 cohorts will continue to learn remotely until Tuesday 9 June, before returning with similar excitement and fanfare.

“Remote learning hasn’t been easy, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our principals, teachers, support staff, students and families have responded to the challenge,” Education Minister James Merlino said.