Primary schools will open a week early

Regional Victorian primary schools will return to on-site learning from the start of term four, a week earlier than the State Government previously planned.

Primary schools can open up from October 5, junior grades at P-12 schools from October 8 and secondary schools from October 12, although Year 11 and 12 students can attend for assessments in the week of October 5.

The government has announced the new timeline as it opens up regional areas dur to falling COVID-19 case numbers. The staged return of primary classes was initially due to be in the second week of term.

A department of education and training spokesperson said Prep to Grade Six students in stand-alone primary schools would return to on-site learning from Monday October 5, with schools able to stagger the return of different year levels depending on local circumstances.

Year 11 and 12 students and Year 10 students studying VCE and VCAL subjects can also attend on-site for the General Achievement Test and essential assessments during the first week of term four.

Students in Prep to Grade Six at P-12 schools will return to on-site learning from Thursday October 8, and all other students, including Years Seven to 10 and VCE and VCAL students will return to on-site learning from Monday October 12.

The spokesperson said schools had the flexibility to stagger the return of students, depending on local circumstances.

“These arrangements have been put in place to enable students to attend on-site as soon as possible while reducing as far as possible the risk of any secondary school being required to close in the week of the GAT,” the spokesperson said.