By Mitchell Clarke
The usually mundane school drop off was filled with smiles and a sense of joy, as students finally returned to the classroom after a long stint of online learning.
Schools across Cardinia Shire and the City of Casey were given the green light to return to physical teaching from Monday 12 October.
All primary school students, students in Year 7 and students studying VCE and VCAL subjects, as well as students at specialist schools have officially returned.
“This is a great day for students, school staff, parents and carers who have all worked incredibly hard to get us to this point,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
In a year that no one saw coming, a return to school has provided a touch of normalcy again – despite campuses looking more different than ever.
Temperature checks on arrival, masks for some students, physical distancing at drop off points and restrictions on external visitors are just some of the measures implemented to protect the community from the deadly virus.
Education Minister James Merlino thanked parents, teachers and school communities for their patience and resilience.
“Having students learn from home has made a significant contribution to slowing the spread of coronavirus in our community and has helped save lives,” he said.
Now, the focus shifts to Term 4 and ensuring that every student is supported going forward.
Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale Maria Kirkwood said it was “wonderful” to see local students re-connecting with their peers.
“It has been a particularly challenging year for staff, students and families, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts, as we work together to navigate these difficult times,” Ms Kirkwood said.
“We look forward in hope to a successful completion to the 2020 school year.”
Pakenham’s St Patrick’s Primary School principal Simon Dell’Oro said he was “extremely grateful” for the hard work of all staff over the last two terms.
“We understand how much of a strain remote schooling puts on families and we couldn’t be prouder of the resilience and positive attitudes of our students and their families,” Mr Dell’Oro said.
At Bridgewood Primary School in Officer, students were greeted with balloons and a welcome back sign.
“Staff and students had an extremely enjoyable day,” principal Kerry Coffey said.
“Staff were really pleased to see the children and the children were happy to be back playing with their friends. It was terrific to see the students had remembered Bridgewood’s Expectations and this was an extremely settled start to term 4.”
Beaconhills College headmaster Tony Sheumack said there was a sense of elation across both Pakenham and Berwick campuses.
“It was wonderful to have our students back on what was a lovely, sunny day. It was absolutely beautiful,” he said.
“It was almost like the first day back at school again and I’m sure we had some very happy parents who breathed a sigh of relief.
“Our school, like many, have had a very difficult year. We’ve been so proud of our Beaconhills community. Our parents have been great home teachers and our staff have put in a lot of extra hours.”
Remaining students in Years 8 to 10 at metropolitan schools will return from Monday 26 October.
