By Danielle Kutchel
There were ear to ear grins on faces young and old as students streamed back through the school gates this week at Marnebek School.
The school grounds, which have been virtually empty since late in term one, were filled once more with kids and teachers happy to see each other again.
The consensus, according to assistant principal Chris Murray, was that it was a “fantastic” day and everyone was glad to be back.
“All students were very keen to get back to school with the majority of students attending,” he said.
“There was a distinct buzz around the school from both teachers and students excited to return to their classrooms.”
Measures have been put in place to allow for extra cleaning, handwashing and social distancing to keep students, staff and their families safe.
All five of the school’s entry and exit points have been opened up for use and each class has been allocated a gate.
“By opening more access points, we have managed to reduce the number of students moving through one area and created a more streamlined system,” Mr Murray explained.
“We have also set out barriers and 1.5m markers to assist parents with social distancing when picking up their child.”
Similarly, extra play spaces have been opened up for students to use at recess and lunch, and the school has created more indoors programs to minimise contact between students at those busy times.
“By doing this we have managed to keep the consistency our students need, minimise the spread of germs, whilst keeping the high-level engaging programs our students deserve,” Mr Murray said.
