THE Department of Education has announced students will be able to enjoy more activities at school from next week as restrictions ease.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said on Tuesday the changes to settings includes allowing fully vaccinated extra-curricular providers on school site, as well as some music classes and bands, day excursions and assemblies. Activities must maintain cohorts and be done in line with all COVID-Safe settings in schools.
From November 8, students will be able to participate in the following activities in cohorts on school grounds:
- Assemblies and presentations - outdoors only
- Excursions - day only, not overnight
- Incursions - activities provided on school site by external providers related to curriculum delivery or student wellbeing
- Dancing
- Music classes, bands, ensembles and lessons - for instruments that can be played with a mask only
- Sport - as previously announced, in-school within cohort and inter-school outside school hours.
She said volunteers and providers who are fully vaccinated will be allowed on site to support school operations or fulfil specific roles, such as helping with the canteen or uniform shop.
Ms Mitchell said the changes allowed students more curricular and extra-curricular opportunities while schools maintain COVID-19 safe measures.
"Students have experienced an incredibly disrupted school year; in line with the relaxation of community settings, we are aligning some school activities to provide them with as much normality as possible," Ms Mitchell said.
"Schools' stringent safety measures remain in place, including vaccinations of all adults on site, cohorting, cleaning, mask wearing and ensuring appropriate ventilation.
"Importantly all adults on site during school hours, including staff and visitors, must be fully vaccinated and wear masks to be allowed on school site."
Communities can use school facilities outside school hours from November 8.
