The NSW Government has unveiled its coronavirus back-to-school blueprint which involves children making a staggered return to classrooms from May 11 — the third week of term two.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said students would initially return for one day a week, and that their time on campus would be increased as the term progressed.
She said by term three, she hoped all students would be back at school full-time.
The announcement was made during a morning press conference where health authorities also confirmed six new coronavirus infections, bringing the state's total number of cases to 2,969.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said it would be up to schools to implement the staggered return.
"We want them to make sure they are having about a quarter of students [from each grade] on campus each day," she said.
"But how they break that group up will be a matter for them."
Ms Mitchell urged schools to consider keeping siblings together to make the transition easier for families.
She said that might include grouping students alphabetically or by house colours.
The Education Minister said casual teachers and support teachers who worked at least 10 days in term one would be given guaranteed work of two days a week in term two.
A spokesperson for Ms Mitchell said $95 million was being provided to schools to keep those 7,000 eligible casual teachers and 3,000 support staff employed.
Most students in NSW have been learning remotely since late last month, when the Premier ordered parents to keep their children at home if they could.
During the staggered return, the NSW Government said students would complete the same course work whether they were at home or on campus.
It said that 95 per cent of students were working from home during the final weeks of term one.
Ms Berejiklian said parents should monitor their children for any symptoms of coronavirus and keep them at home even if they had "a sniffle".
The Premier said the risk of COVID-19 transmission was a concern, particularly among teachers, and said they would be given priority at virus testing clinics.
Ms Mitchell said "enhanced measures" would also be introduced in response to the virus outbreak which included temperature testing students, and extra cleaning in classrooms.
Hand sanitiser and extra equipment in sick bays will also be made available.
