By Renee Wood
Primary students across the Yarra Valley have skipped into the schoolyard with joy this morning welcomed by smiling teachers happy to see their return.
Preps returned to schools across Greater Melbourne, with remaining primary and secondary grades all to be back in the classroom by the end of the week now the state road map has been updated.
Yering Primary School Principal Deanna Cole is thrilled to see her students return and said it’s been a tough term going through another stint of remote learning.
“It felt like a really long term last term, we put in a lot of effort to make sure that everyone’s still getting the most out of their remote learning again, so we are thrilled to have them all come back for term four,” Deanna Cole said.
“I really think the kids have done a top job of trying to hang in there and be resilient in general – it’s been tough on them, it really has. These grade ones have now had two years of a lot of remote learning and the grade ones that I’ve got here are doing quite well considering.”
Mum Charmelle Adams said her children are excited to return to face-face learning after another long lockdown.
“They have missed playing and interacting with their friends, as well as having time to run around and be active,” Charmelle Adams said.
School council president, Chris Topma believes students will achieve more in the class room.
“The benefits are definitely the children will be more engaged in the class setting to achieve much more than in the home setting. The social aspect for them is super important too for their mental health,” Chris Topma said.
Although a special occasion today, Principal Cole said the school will be looking at getting the kids back into a normal routine straight away.
“We will do a special treasure hunt to welcome them back but I’m mindful we want to try and get them back into a routine as quickly as possible, but we also want to make sure their wellbeing is looked after.
“That’s been a high priority, making sure everyone’s content and happy in their learning.”
