School return smooth

Less confusion and chaos about COVID-19 has made Term 2 more manageable for Manjimup Senior High School.

Now in week two of the term, more than 70 per cent of students have returned to school.

Year 12 Head Boy Rowan Edwards and Head Girl Jasmine Gill said the start of this term was a lot better than the end of last term.

“Last term there was a lot more confusion about what was happening,” Rowan said.

“This term there are no 1.5m gaps between students in the classroom and on school buses, like there was last term.”

Jasmine said being back at school made learning a lot easier, especially during Year 12.

“While a lot of us are worried about how coronavirus has could affect us academically, I feel we can trust the education system to help us achieve the ATAR we’re aiming for,” she said.

“Teachers are keeping us in the loop.”

Rowan said the teachers had been incredibly supportive and had worked hard to prepare five weeks worth of lessons to go online had students not been allowed back this term.

“I prefer being in class to get things done and it’s nicer being around people again,” he said.

Manjimup Senior High School principal Kerry Mather said it had been a rollercoaster ride for schools over the past few months.

“Staff had to quickly become skilled in the use of technology to deliver on-line content,” she said.

“I was impressed by how our staff adapted to this new way delivering curriculum and simply got on with the job.

“Teachers indicated they were very happy to be back in the classroom with their students.”

Ms Mather said while technology was useful, it did not have the same impact on students’ learning.

“Nothing replaces good quality face-to-face teaching,” she said.